Dhaka: The government with a view to increasing gas production to meet the rising demand has a plan to dig 57 exploration gas wells, 43 development wells and work over of 20 wells by 2021.

The government expects producing an approximate 1,078-1,240 million cubic feet (mcf) natural gas per day from the said gas wells.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid disclosed this in the Jatiya Sangsad today while responding to a question from BNF member SM Abul Kalam Azad today.

‘The present demand for gas in the country is over 3,200 mcf per day, while the gas production is 2,740 mcf, ‘ he said.

Nasrul Hamid informed the House that the total gas extraction was only 1,744 mcf per day when the present government assumed power in 2009.

Despite increase in the gas production, the deficit in the sector is 500 mcf per day, the state minister said.

Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) has been continuing 2-Dimension Seismic Survey in various areas in the country to identify new gas structure, he said.

The BAPEX also is conducting 3-Dimension Seismic Survey to reevaluate the existing stock of gas at various gas fields along with digging of oil/gas wells, he said.