Bangladesh halts oil, gas drilling for 48 hours after series of earthquakes

Petrobangla pauses all drilling and seismic survey work as a precaution

The sun sets behind a crude oil pump jack on a drill pad in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, US November 24, 2019. REUTERS

Bangladesh has suspended all oil and gas drilling activities for 48 hours following a string of earthquakes that rattled much of the country over the weekend.

The state-run energy agency Petrobangla announced the move on Sunday, citing public safety concerns and the need to prevent potential damage to drilling equipment and personnel.

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake shook Dhaka and several districts on Friday morning, followed by another moderate tremor on Saturday and two smaller aftershocks later in the evening. The jolts prompted geologists to advise a temporary halt to deep drilling operations.

In a statement, Petrobangla said all drilling and seismic survey work would remain suspended until 8am on Nov 25.

“If conditions remain stable, drilling and survey activities will resume after that time,” it added.

Exploration and workover operations were under way at several wells, including Shrikail-5, Habiganj-5, Kailashtila-1, Beanibazar-2, Sylhet-11, Sylhet-10X and Rashidpur-11, before the suspension took effect.

A seismic survey is also being carried out in Narayanganj's Sonargaon.