Petrol-octane production plant shows hope in Sylhet
Despite the global energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East, the northeastern region of Bangladesh is creating new hope through the production of condensate, a by-product of Sylhet gas. Experts believe that increasing production from this oil-and-gas-rich region will have a positive impact on the energy sector.
It has been learned that more than 130 million cubic feet of gas is currently being supplied to the national grid daily from Sylhet Gas Fields Limited (SGFL). Similarly, condensate obtained from the gas field a type of liquid hydrocarbon present with natural gas, which usually turns into a liquid when pressure and temperature decrease during gas extraction produces 50 percent of the country’s total petrol demand and 25-30 percent of its octane demand.
However, even locals are largely unaware that condensate is produced as a by-product of gas in Sylhet. The condensate is processed to produce petrol, octane, diesel, kerosene and a small amount of LPG. According to relevant sources, there are four government oil and gas producing companies.
Among them, Bangladesh Gas Field Company Limited (BGFCL), Sylhet Gas Field Limited (SGFL) and Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) are domestic companies, along with Chevron.
After producing condensate, these four companies process it and market it through the Padma, Meghna and Jamuna rivers. It is possible to produce about 50 percent of the total demand for petrol and 20-25 percent of octane from that condensate. Due to this, even if there is an oil crisis in Bangladesh in the current global situation, the relevant people said that there is no risk of the reserve falling to zero quota.
The capacity of the two plants of the Sylhet gas field is to process 6,500 barrels of condensate per day. However, due to the decrease in gas production, 4,500 barrels of condensate are being allocated from these two plants of the Sylhet Gas Field every day. 600 barrels of octane, 3,500 barrels of petrol, 150 barrels of kerosene and diesel are being produced from this condensate.
Due to the war in the Middle East, the government is also asking to increase octane production.
For this reason, the Sylhet Gas Field Limited plant is planning to produce 700 barrels of octane instead of 600. The concerned people also said that the government has urged to increase production capacity through workover (renovation) of old wells.
In addition, oil is being supplied to tank lorries of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna every day of the week. The lorries are taking oil from here to different parts of the country including Sylhet and delivering it to dealers.
Managing Director of the Sylhet Gas Field, Engineer Faruk Hossain, said, our production is done through three domestic companies. There is another foreign company – Chevron. In total, 6,500 barrels of condensate are produced across the country.
The government allocates 4,500 barrels from here. It is refined in Rashidpur and 34 to 3,500 barrels of petrol, 7/8 barrels of octane and diesel with 2 to 3 percent are produced. After production, it is marketed through the Padma, Meghna and Jamuna.
He said that during the country’s energy crisis, supply is ensured 7 days a week. Therefore, due to the global situation, the import of crude oil or condensate may stop, but domestic production will not stop.
Traders said that diesel and jet fuel/kerosene is not only imported from the Middle East. Last month, the government bought 30,000 tons from Malaysia and 22,000 tons of diesel from India.
In addition, Bangladesh also imports diesel from Singapore and Indonesia. The daily demand for octane in the country is about 8,000 tons and the demand for petrol is about 11,500 tons. These two products are produced in the country, there is no need to import them. Most people in the country do not know this information. The government should publicize the fact that there is no crisis more.
However, there are various reasons behind the long lines at petrol pumps. There is a type of people who are hoarding oil in the hope of making more profit in a short time.
They are creating an artificial crisis by hoarding oil in different places in collusion with petrol pumps. As a result, the common people are panicking. Those concerned also believe that this trend has been created because governments have concealed correct information in the past.
