State-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX) has launched gas exploration up to six kilometers beneath the surface, marking the deepest drilling effort in the country’s history. Preparations are complete for exploration wells at Titas in Brahmanbaria, Bakhrabad and Srikail in Cumilla, and Mobarakpur in Pabna’s Santhia upazila. Petrobangla sources confirmed that one well has already begun operations, breaking the previous depth record of four kilometers.

Officials said the initiative follows 3D surveys indicating potential gas reserves below hard rock layers, with estimates suggesting around 2.5 trillion cubic feet of gas across the targeted fields. Petrobangla plans deep drilling at four wells—two under Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited and two under BAPEX. The move comes after years of limited exploration activity, during which Bangladesh’s energy sector became increasingly import-dependent.

Petrobangla Chairman Md. Erfanul Haque described the six-kilometer drilling as a bold step to address the national gas shortage. He said 150 wells are planned under short-, medium-, and long-term programs, with expectations of adding about three trillion cubic feet of gas reserves upon completion.