ARTICLE
Future Energy Source for Bangladesh
 
Muinul Ahsan

At present 90% of our energy need is met from generation of electricity from gas.

Proven gas deposit has been estimated at about 14 trillion cubic feet out of which about 6 trillion cubic feet has been consumed already leaving a balance of about 8 trillion cubic feet of gas. With the present rate of consumption and considering a modest annual growth rate it has been forecasted that by 2015 the existing deposit will be exhausted. Unless a vigorous effort for new discovery of gas is made urgently we are afraid the country would be subjected to serious energy crisis. No worth mentioning exploration activity was conducted since 1999 to discover new gas field. Mostly production wells were sunk to enhance production from existing fields either by international oil company (IOC) or by state owned company (Bapex). A limited seismic survey was conducted and no new substantial structure could be identified. 

Small deposit at Bangura and Lalmai in Comilla district have been discovered against our heavy expectation from exploration work in block 9 by M/S Tallow, the operator for this block. The finding of new discoveries in the onshore is very remote. Only hope of the new discovery now lies in the offshore blocks, where extensive exploration activity is required. Petrobangla and the government is contemplating to go for third round bidding and it has become essential that decision is taken urgently on the matter. Some complexities are expected in the offshore exploration work as disputes are there in maritime border demarcation problem with India and Myanmar. This long outstanding issue should be resolved on top most urgent basis, if necessary some kind of sharing of resources formula should be devised in line with international practice as done by Malaysia with Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and other neighboring countries with common border. 

A proposal for laying a tri-state pipeline between Myanmar, Bangladesh and India is under consideration by Government. This proposal may be given highest priority as the same may be utilized for import of gas from Myanmar for meeting our future shortage, if any, leaving aside income to be derived for wheeling gas for India by pipeline by Government of Bangladesh. The cost of pipeline construction may be shared by the users or to be borne by a developer cum operator. It is high time now to decide about it so that Bangladesh does not starve for gas once our reserve is exhausted. As we are already spending a huge amount of money to buy gas from International Oil Companies further expenses on import of gas, though not desirable, may not be a big problem.

Alternative source of energy may be substantiated and supplemented by exploiting the coal reserves, already discovered in the country’s Northwestern part, e.g. Bogra, Dinajpur, Rangpur etc. which are as follows

Two of the big deposits, viz Phulbari and Barapukuria are lying at shallower depth which are mine-able by adopting open pit mining method with advent of new big capacity earth moving equipment and modern water management system. Other coal deposits at Khalaspir & Jamalganj may be mined by adopting underground mining methods at these deposits are lying at greater depth and not suitable for open pit mining. However success of underground mining method at Barapukuria is yet to be seen. Numerous problems like spontencus combustion, inrushes of water, high temperature, cave-in, subsidence etc have been encountered and catastrophe may result in abounding the mine in any day. Therefore mining by underground method need to be examined further and exploitation of Jamalganj and Khalaspir deposit is remaining an uncertainty. Exploitation of these deposits by gasification method or by coal bed methane method may be examined. 

Mining of Barapukuria and Phulbari deposit by open pit mining method may also would posse a lot of problems, specially loss of agricultural land and household properties, dewatering effect, slope instability due to heavy rain during monsoon, environmental pollution etc. However efficient resettlement and water management plan and mitigation measures for environmental pollution may result in successful mining of the deposit. Loss of land is not a permanent features in the open pit mining now-a-days. Reclamation follows immediately after mining commences and advances. The top soil are kept segregated and land is brought to almost to its original position for agricultural purpose within 10 to 15 years time. However, a portion of the land may remain void if dredged soil from near by river is not available. The lake as available may be useful for aquaculture and sports. Dewatering effect may be taken care of by surface irrigation and drainage system, supply of potable water to the villagers by piped system and also sinking tube-wells for re-injection of water. Dust and noise control measures would ensure a safe working environment in the area. The leaching effect from dumping of coal waste (Acid Mine Drainage) can be taken care of by effective control measures.

The recovery rate of open cast mine is above 90% and economic benefit is enormous with the escalation of coal price now. The quality of coal as of Barapukuria and Phulbaria deposit is very attractive and has a ready market for export after meeting local demand for power generation and other needs. About 10 TCF of equivalent gas energy can be harnessed from these two deposits and therefore exploitation of the two deposits by open pit method can meet the energy demand of Bangladesh substantially. However the local residents of the area need to be motivated and recent situation as arisen due to communication gap and wrong handling by law enforcing authority should be taken care of. It is to be understood by them that the subsidence effect from present underground mining method may be more dangerous for them with loss of lives and properties rather than from open pit mining method with well designed resettlement and rehabilitation plan and adequate compensation for loss of livelihood. A strong political will is a must once we decide to exploit these deposits.

The other alternative source of energy like wind power, hydro-electricity, solar energy etc may also be useful. But the use of the same is limited in Bangladesh. With the advent of new technology these may prove more useful for our purpose in future. The nuclear power technology may not be available for our use due to international politics as well as complexity in handling the spent fuel and non-availability of raw material in Bangladesh. Therefore Bangladesh would ought to depend on gas and coal for its future energy need.

Muinul Ahsan: Former Director (Mines and Mineral), Petrobangla