Combating load shedding
The news was about the government's desperate bid to end load-shedding from early next year through awarding contracts to about 2 dozen fast-track oil-based power projects which the government hopes will significantly cut power crisis but feared that it would impose huge petroleum import and cost on national exchequer.
Well, there is no doubt that to keep the main pinion running to keep other pinions moving to keep the entire economy of the nation running, there is no alternative but to generate power. The government will have to do it at any cost. But importation of "huge" petroleum reminded me of a story of children reading books. Although it does not fit well here but I want to quote a bit of it for citing an example. The story goes like this.
One day a fox went to river side to drink water. Suddenly a crocodile caught hold one of its legs. Fearing danger, the fox used his intelligence and cried out "crocodile brother why are you pulling my stick? Please release my stick and catch my leg ". The crocodile released the leg and lost everything.
The world's major drilling companies like Cairn Energy, MI-Swaco, Chevron, Tullow etc are the same companies who are also working in our immediate neighbouring countries.
These companies drilled 208 oil/gas wells in Thailand during 2008 and 2009. The Indian govt faced criticism for drilling only 44 wells in 2009, Bangladesh government drilled 17-19 wells in 37 years of the same depth of wells. While these companies drill a well in 2 weeks time in other countries our BAPEX opens "tender envelope" in 2 years' time, what an unimaginable speed.
I believe importation of extra liquid petroleum is not a best solution. At Sungu more than 4 existing wells have been kept closed to avoid situation like Tangra Tilla because of high pressure of gas drilled with weak instruments. Our government can immediately drill 4 to 6 wells there on emergency basis to meet the extra requirement. Let the government utilise the country's existing capacity first and then think about import. I believe the Bangladeshi government agencies including the Energy Ministry should be energized first before importing petroleum to avoid draining from the already weak exchequer. They feel more relaxed in importation than increasing their own speed of work. Creation of bottlenecks in everything is their habit.
I have a great hope on the present prime minister who is working relentlessly on other important issues. I believe, she will look into this most vital issue personally.
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