Relief well drilling now begins late March

Drilling of the relief well was earlier scheduled to begin this month.

A severe blow-out and fire took place in the main well of the gas field at Tangratila on January 7.

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The drilling is being done by Canadian company Nico Resources.

An official of the company told The Daily Star on Monday that it is not possible to start drilling of the relief well as the drilling rig is yet to be taken there from Chittagong. It will need few weeks more, he said.

"Besides, we are yet to finish preparation of the drilling pad due to non-availability of soil in the adjacent area", the official said.

"We have to collect sand from river bed. It is also delaying the work.

"We hope drilling would be started in late March if things go well".

After the blowout, the company had planned to collect soil from the adjacent hillock. But local people and environmentalists resisted this as it would damage the environment.

Nico has entrusted US firm Parker Group for drilling of the relief well. The US firm had earlier worked jointly with Tullo.

Earlier, Nico had entrusted a Chinese firm for drilling the main well at Tengratila.

The proposed relief well will be located about 300 feet off the main well and will be drilled within eight weeks, Nico official said.