Chevron begins drilling in the expanded Bibiyana gas field

US oil major Chevron, operator of the country's largest gas field in Bibiyana, has started drilling in the field's expanded area.

According to Chevron Bangladesh, the subsidiary of the US company, it commenced drilling at well No-27 on August 23 and it will take about 2.5-3 months to complete.

Chevron Bangladesh signed several agreements in October 2022 with the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and also with state-owned Petrobangla to drill more wells at the expanded Bibiyana gas field.

The deals were Supplemental Agreements to the Block 12 Production Sharing Contract for Bibiyana Flank Area Extension, amendment of Jalalabad Gas and Condensate Purchase and Sales Agreement and Amendment of Moulvibazar Condensate Purchase and Sales Agreement for Block 13 and 14.

Petrobangla officials had said during the contract signing that the main objective of Chevron's Bibiyana Flank Area Extension is to drill new wells there.

So far Chevron has dug 26 wells at the Bibiyana gas field. It will begin drilling the BY-27 development well in 2023 in the extended area.

“The multinational energy corporation also plans to drill the BY-28 infield well later,” said a top official of Petrobangla, adding that a significant amount of gas is expected to flow from the field.

About the new drilling plan, Chevron Bangladesh said it partners with Petrobangla and the government to provide safe, reliable, low cost and ever cleaner energy to the country and seek the opportunities of tomorrow. Chevron produces over 50% of Bangladesh’s total energy demand from domestic natural gas.

“As the largest producing field in Bangladesh, Bibiyana gas field is a great success story for the nation. BY-27 drilling program is a crucial project for Bangladesh’s long-term energy security, that could result in an overall increase in natural gas production for Bangladesh,” said the US company.

Meanwhile, a session titled “Geology for Non-Geologists” was organized by Chevron Bangladesh at their Dhaka office for energy reporters on Monday.

Opening the session Eric M. Walker, President, and Managing Director of Chevron Bangladesh, said “Chevron Bangladesh is entering in a new era in Bangladesh as we look to build upon our current partnership with the government and Petrobangla to unlock further gas supply from existing facilities using Chevron’s world class technological capabilities.”

He mentioned that Chevron Bangladesh values its long-standing relationship with Petrobangla and the government.

“We are committed to working with the government to help achieve the nation’s energy goals and ensure that Chevron Bangladesh is the partner of choice,” he added.

He said Chevron plays a key role in Bangladesh’s energy security, and is a reliable partner and trusted investor in Bangladesh for over 28 years.

Members of the Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB) attended the session, which focused on the basics of geology.

The keynote speaker of the session was Patrick Condon, Assets Development Director at Chevron Bangladesh.

He provided an in-depth understanding of geology in the oil and gas industry and detailed the tools, techniques, and studies used by geologists in the exploration for oil and gas.

Other notable attendees in the session included Muhammad Imrul Kabir, Corporate Affairs Director, Chevron Bangladesh, and Shaikh Jahidur Rahman, Communications Manager, Chevron Bangladesh.