BEN concerned at Titas gas field situation

BEN asked its Energy Panel to briefly review the situation. While the panel welcomed the most recent steps the government have taken to bring in relevant experts and technology to defuse the crisis, they expressed the hope that these steps are not too little, too late.

BEN Energy Panel Chairperson Dr Ahmed Badruzzaman, an expert on down-hole nuclear techniques used for monitoring oil/gas reservoirs, noted that the latest steps to deal with the Titas crisis are in the right direction. "It is a difficult problem that requires sophisticated technologies and specialised expertise, and time is of the essence."

He expressed the need to evaluate every well in Titas, not just a few, in view of the dynamic nature of the problem, to clearly understand what the source of the gas in each well is, and how it was accumulating and traversing underground. In the long run, he hoped Bangladesh would implement modern reservoir management practices to prevent such a crisis in the future.

BEN observes that the present crisis has arisen over a long time due to neglect by entities that manage the Bangladesh gas sector and operate the Titas gas field, and their inability or unwillingness to recognise the gravity of the situation.

BEN urged the government to undertake a thorough investigation to establish causes and responsibility for the possible disaster, and recommended steps to prevent such a crisis in the future.

BEN Energy Panel recommends that all old wells in the country must be evaluated to determine their condition to take remedial steps and prevent a similar crisis in other fields.

BEN also urged the government to develop a comprehensive energy strategy for the country. It offers to partner with the government and others to help address the country's energy issues.