ONGC Videsh Ltd., New Delhi, plans to spud an exploratory well in shallow water offshore Bangladesh “in the next several months,” according to an official of Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corp. (Petrobangla).
Mahbub Sarwar, Petrobangla director for production-sharing contracts, told the Financial Express of Dhaka the Indian company had completed a 2D seismic survey over two Bay of Bengal blocks last year and plans to drill the first of two commitment wells on Block SS-09 near Moheshkhali.
All Bangladeshi gas production of about 2.7 bcfd comes from onshore fields. Petrobangla estimates consumption at 3.3 bcfd.
ONGC Videsh operates 7,026-sq-km Block SS-09 and holds a 45% interest in the production-sharing contract. Partners are Oil India Ltd., 45%, and state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration & Production Co. (BAPEX), 10%.
Interests are the same in adjacent Block SS-04, which covers 7,226 sq km.