Flare test in 2-3 days as locals suspend agitation

The assurance was given at a meeting between leaders of Bibiyana Dabi Aday Bastobayon Parishad (committee to realise demands in Bibiyana) and local administration officials, held at the Upazila Parishad building in presence of officials of US company Chevron which drilled wells in the gas field for gas extraction.

The agitation delayed the flare test by the company to ascertain gas flow in the wells.

Following the talks, the US company will now start flare tests in wells drilled at the North Pad of Bibiyana gas field,located at a remote village in Nabiganj upazila under Habiganj district.

After the meeting, a Chevron official told The Daily Star that they would start flare test within 2-3 days.

The company could not start the flare test in last three days due to agitation.

Several hundred people put up barricade on approaches to the gas field to stop officials from entering the North Pad, where drilling was completed.

Their demands include, supply of gas to houses in Nabiganj upazila before supply to other areas, construction and renovation of roads and bridges in the area, setting up of gas-based power plants and jobs for locals in the gas field.

At yesterday's meeting, Chevron officials assured of taking steps for construction and reconstruction of some bridges, culverts and roads. They would meet some other demands locally. But the company can not assure gas supply to houses as this is a decision to be taken by Bangladesh government, its officials told the meeting.

They however said they would place the matter to the authorities concerned.

After flare tests, the gas field will be ready for production, a Chevron official told this correspondent.

The Bibiyana Dabi Aday Bastabayan Parishad put forward its 14-point demand in 1997 and started agitation to press those after work in the gas field began.