The evil spirit of the Russian company Gazprom have fled, now some ghosts have appeared. Energy and Mineral Resources Division sources said it is still lobbying Gazprom for higher rates.
Bangladeshi agents of Gazprom turned into monsters day by day. Due to their pressure, the state institution BAPEX had been facing a life-threatening situation. It is said that the institution is kept alive with oxygen. On August 5, the Awami League government's collapse saved the company about Tk. 3 thousand crore. The Gazprom Syndicate almost finalized the bid of Tk. 300 crore for the well that BAPEX can do for Tk. 70 to Tk. 80 crore. The rush to pass special laws without tendering was palpable.
Bangladesh was going to sign a contract for the proposed 15 wells at a rate of 23 million dollars (Tk. 120) for around Tk. 4200 crore. The same work can be done by BAPEX for a maximum of Tk. 1200 crores. There are precedents for which there are precedents, yet the work has been given consistently at high rates with a blind eye.
There are also examples that many people will find it difficult to believe their own eyes. However, the Tawfiq- e-Ilahi Chowdhury syndicate has done that terrible work. In 2014, BAPEX's 354th board meeting approved the proposal to drill Srikail-4 well. In the 556th board meeting, DPP (Detailed Project Proposal) worth Tk. 64 crore was approved. Approved DPP was sent to Petrobangla. The rule is that the work will start subject to Petrobangla’s approval. But Petrobangla asked to send DPP of Tk. 200 crore instead of approving DPP of Tk. 64 crore. A DPP of Tk. 200 crore was made for the same work under compulsion. And that work was given to Gazprom.
17 wells have been awarded to Gazprom at several times higher rates at various times. Another 15 well proposals were near finalization. The most advanced was BAPEX's 5-well drilling project at Bhola gasfield. Another meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Procurement would be finalised. Fawzul Kabir Khan, Adviser on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of the Interim Government, took responsibility and suspended the project under special law. And this is saved from the burden of huge amount of debt.
Chairman of Petrobangla Janendra Nath Sarkar told Barta24.com that the file has been prepared for the open tender. Tenders will be called within 1 day after receiving instructions.
On the one hand, the work of Tk. 80 crore cost a quarter of Tk. 300 crore, and the well which should be done after a few years, the work is only increasing the debt burden, BAPEX is not getting any return. In this way BAPEX has been endangered in the past as well. Again, it was practicing for the benefit of the special group.
There are 9 wells in the island district of Bhola, from which about 200 million cubic feet of gas can be extracted. There is no demand for gas, and as there is no pipeline to bring it to the mainland, only 60 million cubic feet of gas is being extracted daily.
5 wells are sitting now including Tabgi (2017), Bhola North (2018) and Elisha (2022). In Bhola, the stakeholders have raised the question that the 5 well drilling project is being taken at a high price in accordance with the Fast Supply Act. Many have claimed that this project has been prepared for the Russian company Gazprom and not in the interest of the country. Objections were also raised when Tobgi and Bhola North (seated wells) were drilled by Gazprom. It was said then that there is no use in digging these wells now. Two wells were then dug at an unusual rate despite such objections from the concerned, which is still lying.
With the naked eye, many may support digging wells and keeping them ready. The reality is that BAPEX is not getting any return from these projects. On the other hand, the advance is losing investment potential in BAPEX loans at high interest rates. In 2017, a burden of Tk. 400 crore has been placed on the shoulders of BAPEX by drilling wells.
BAPEX could have done it by itself for a maximum of Tk. 120 crore. Even if it came now with time, there would be no problem.
Cab's energy advisor Professor Shamsul Alam told Barta24.com that the issue of Bhola well drilling is not related to Bangladesh's energy needs. Just as NICO was tasked with calculating profit and loss to specific individuals, so it is here. Here the Special Power Act is being used as a shield. Nowhere in the world can you find an example of anarchy where work of Tk. 10 is paid for Tk.100.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Energy Adviser Dr. Taufiq- e- Elahi Chowdhury has always sung honesty. He openly said in a meeting that the work was given to Gazprom at a much lower price than the international rate. Many have saved us a lot of money. It is said that Gazprom was forced to do the job because of him. He used to give instructions over the phone to release Gazprom files.
Once there was a native agent named Aniruddha, and then Mia Satter, the ambassador of Bangladesh to Russia, came forward. And some more influential political leaders waved the crowbar from behind. There is no name on the paper, but Petrobangla could feel their pressure. Those who were helpless under the pressure of BAPEX, while others voluntarily surrendered to the lure of the commission. Even though the evil spirits of Gazprom have fled, there have been allegations that BAPEX is still not being allowed into Bhola.
At one time, 2800 million cubic feet of gas was extracted daily from domestic gas fields. Depleting reserves, approximately 2,000 million cubic feet of gas are currently being extracted. Energy experts believe that the long-term stagnation in oil and gas exploration has pushed the country into dire straits. Idf the 1995 National Energy policy had been followed, this crisis would not have happened today. In that policy, a total of 4 exploratory wells are supposed to be drilled every year, but no government has complied with it. Prospects for oil-gas discovery, success and level of exploration are more likely to be more substantial if explored on a comprehensive basis.
Energy experts have been critical of Petrobangla for decades of laxity. But those days are now beginning to change. The opening of Petrobangla has changed during the current chairman Janendra Nath Sarker. In addition to the ongoing 48 well drilling projects, another 100 well drilling projects have been undertaken.
About 99 exploratory wells have been drilled in the territory of Bangladesh in 112 years. And Petrobangla has planned to dig 69 wells in the next 3 years. Although many consider it ambitious, energy experts have commented that it is very important. They said that if 1 of 10 wells is drilled and gas is found, it is considered economically successful. There, 3 exploration wells in Bangladesh yielded one gas. However, the search for oil and gas in Bangladesh did not work the same way. That is why today's crisis.
Talking about the potential of the country's gas sector in the past 15 years would have been a disgrace. Taufiq- e- Ilahi Chowdhury used to stop him when he talked about the possibility of getting gas. He dismissed these statements as theoretical. Even a few months ago, he was teasing the teacher in Dhaka University with his words. Because of that no one had the courage to say anything forcefully. He also showed a negative attitude about digging 100 wells last time. But Tawfiq-e- Ilahi Chowdhury was forced to give in to the authoritarian attitude of Petrobangla Chairman Janendra Nath Sarkar.