State-run exploration engineers have struck a promising new natural gas reserve in Noakhali’s Kompaniganj upazila, offering a welcome prospect for Bangladesh’s energy-strapped national grid. Hydrocarbon deposits were formally identified on Monday afternoon at the ‘Sundalpur South-1’ exploration well, situated in Rampur Union, following weeks of extensive drilling operations.
Engineers from the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) successfully conducted a preliminary burn test to verify the subterranean pressure and presence of gas. Early technical appraisals suggest that the newly identified field could potentially yield up to 15 million cubic feet (MMcfd) of natural gas per day. However, authorities have emphasized that precise production figures will remain tentative until rigorous geological evaluation is completed.
Rakibul Hasan, the drilling in-charge at BAPEX, confirmed the discovery and outlined the technical milestones lying ahead. He explained that crews finished drilling down to the target formation earlier in the day before igniting a controlled test flare at the wellhead. Whilst preliminary readings are encouraging, full commercial viability hinges on conducting a Drill Stem Test (DST). This specialized procedure measures reservoir pressure, fluid composition, and flow rate across extended intervals, supplying the data required to confirm how much gas can be extracted sustainably over the long term.
Safety protocols were triggered shortly after the initial ignition when temperatures at the test flare escalated rapidly. Recognizing the risk posed by the sudden surge in thermal intensity, BAPEX engineers promptly extinguished the flame as a precautionary measure. Local fire services were dispatched to the site to assist energy personnel. Operational testing will resume once fire crews establish a safe perimeter and complete comprehensive risk assessments alongside site engineers.
Should the upcoming DST confirm initial estimates, energy authorities plan to hook the Sundalpur South-1 well directly into the national gas grid. Additional supply of this scale would help ease severe gas shortages currently affecting industrial manufacturing, power generation facilities, and domestic consumers across the country. BAPEX maintains a cautious stance, noting that commercial extraction strategies will be finalized only after lab technicians evaluate all physical samples and pressure reports.
