Inani Gas Fire: 15 Days of Observation Decided, Relief Well Planned If Needed, Says Bapex Team
Gas erupting from underground at Inani in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar, has been burning for four straight days. As the gas flow has not stopped, fears of an accident are growing. On Friday evening, a high-level team from Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) and Petrobangla visited the site.
Considering the situation, the upazila administration has imposed Section 144, banning public entry and presence within 200 metres of the site. Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Panna Akter said: 'Public entry and presence within 200 metres around the site have been prohibited. The ban will remain in force until further notice. The upazila administration has imposed Section 144 there.'
During Friday evening's visit, Bapex and Petrobangla officials observed the nature of the fire and the gas emission situation. Initial observation suggests the source of the fire may be a shallow gas reservoir, officials believe.
A decision has been taken to observe the situation for 15 days to confirm the source and volume of the gas. During this period, the height of the flame and the gas emission situation will be closely monitored.
Shamsia Muktadir, general manager of Bapex's geological division, said: 'Bapex has the experience and capacity to deal with this kind of situation. It is possible to handle the situation under our own management. However, important decisions have to be taken considering safety, because an unwanted accident can happen at any time.'
Petrobangla director (operations and mines) Engineer Md. Shoeb said: 'A meeting was held at Petrobangla on Thursday with Bapex and Petrobangla officials as well as several retired general managers. The meeting initially assumed the emitted gas may be thermogenic and biogenic in nature. However, the colour of the flame also suggests oil or condensate may be present with the gas.'
He added: 'Initial observation suggests the source of the fire is a shallow gas reservoir. In this country, gas reserves are usually found one and a half to five kilometres underground. In this case, however, 15 days of observation will be carried out to be certain about the source and actual volume of the gas.'
Md. Shoeb said: 'If after 15 days of observation the flame height increases or stays the same, a plan will initially be made to drill a relief well to stop the fire. Side-tracking technology will be used to drill the relief well and try to stop the gas emission. This technology is used worldwide to deal with such situations.'
However, if the gas flow decreases or stops during the observation period, the next decision will be taken according to the situation, he said.
The Petrobangla official also said: 'Gas has also been seen burning from several geological layers nearby. It is believed that some change in the geological structure may be causing this gas emission. Bapex will later conduct a three-dimensional (3D) seismic survey there. Analysing the survey data will verify the possibility of a gas reserve. If a commercially viable gas reserve is found there, an initiative will be taken to drill a new well.'
