The government's initiative to invite an open tender for the drilling of 26 wells across various onshore gas fields, aimed at boosting domestic gas production, is likely to face a delay of another month, according to official sources.
The delay is primarily due to the ongoing preparation of tender documents, the sources indicated.
Three gas exploration and production companies under the state-owned Bangladesh Minerals, Oil, and Gas Corporation, commonly known as Petrobangla - Sylhet Gas Fields Limited (SGFL), Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited (BGFCL), and Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) - were expected to float the tender by the second week of October.
However, the companies were unable to do so as the documents were not finalised for publication in newspapers and on relevant government websites.
Earlier, at a press briefing on October 3 at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Petrobangla chairman Zanendra Nath Sarker announced that he had sent a proposal to the ministry for approval and expected that the tender would be invited within a week of receiving the green light.
Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, speaking at the same briefing, assured that the government would soon float an open tender to drill 26 wells in different gas fields to increase domestic gas production.
He said that the government would refrain from awarding contracts on a G-to-G basis or signing unsolicited agreements with foreign companies. "This initiative aims to reduce our reliance on imported LNG, which is costly and drains foreign currency," said the adviser.
Regarding the delay, Fouzul Kabir told UNB that his ministry is seeking assistance from a procurement expert in preparing the tender documents, which has contributed to the time taken.
Petrobangla chairman Zanendra Nath Sarker explained that, historically, documents for similar contracts were prepared under the Speedy Increase of Power and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010. "But this time, we must adhere to the Public Procurement Rules (PPR) 2008 to invite an open tender, which is causing the delay." —UNB
