The significance of enhanced gas recovery (EGR) methods for energy security in the next century of Bangladesh

<p>Shaheen Shah</p>

The significance of enhanced gas recovery (EGR) methods for energy security in the next century of Bangladesh

Shaheen Shah

Jessore University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh

: J Chem Appl Chem Eng

Abstract

Bangladesh lies in the northeastern corner of the Indian subcontinent at the head of the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh is an energy starved country where natural gas is the main sources of energy. A total of 26 gas fields were discovered in Bangladesh and some more fields yet to be declared. Most of the gas fields are located in the eastern part of the country because of the fact of the anticlines fold structure favoring gas accumulation. The gas reservoirs are entirely in sandstone of the Surma Group of Mio-Pliocene in age. It has been estimated from discovered gas fields so far in the country to be gas initially in place (GIIP) at 39.0 trillion cubic feet (TCF) out of this estimated proven recoverable reserve (1P) is 20.77 TCF while the recoverable probable (2P) reserve is 6.35 TCF as well as possible (3P) reserve 4.19 TCF. Up to January, 2017 as much as 14.24 TCF gas was produced, leaving only 12.88 TCF of recoverable gas in 2P category. In the FY 2015-16, Petrobangla and its companies produced 973 billion cubic feet (BCF) of natural gas, which was equivalent to 24.3 million metric tons of oil worth 7.5 billion US dollars. Present supply from existing gas fields is about 2750 Million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) against connected demand of about 3400 MMSCFD. This demand may be increased up to 4500 MMSCFD in the year 2021-22, widening the shortfall between demand and supply. To minimize the demandsupply gap, it has invigorated its effort to enhance gas production along with initiatives to take steps and make a development plan of gas fields. Thus the remaining natural gas in this gas fields would be enhanced/recovered using Enhanced Gas Recovery (EGR) methods like gas injection, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing stimulating through combined or individually. Applying these methods in the gas fields will be facilitated to the daily recovery rate of natural gas that can be ensured energy security more significantly in the country of Bangladesh for the next generation.