DHAKA, July 26, 2026 (BSS) – The process is underway to procure two rigs for the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) to expedite gas exploration activities. 

“We’ve finalized a proposal to purchase two modern exploration drilling rigs,” Petrobangla Chairman Md Abdul Mannan told BSS here today.

BAPEX currently has five rigs—Bijoy-10, Bijoy-11, Bijoy-12, Bijoy-18 and IPS-1, he said, adding, “After procuring the two proposed rigs, the total number of rigs will stand at seven.”

A Petrobangla official said the evaluation process is underway for the procurement of a 2,000-horsepower rig, while a Detail Project Proposal (DPP) is being prepared for the procurement of another rig with a capacity of 1,500 horsepower.

He said that after the DPP is finalized, it will be sent to the Planning Commission for approval.

Meanwhile, the government has planned to strengthen the state-owned BAPEX and accelerate domestic gas exploration as part of broader efforts, as BAPEX has a success story.

The gas exploration company has been working to drill various wells including development wells and workover to boost up gas production from domestic sources.

Besides, Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a proposal of the state-owned exploration company to drill one appraisal-cum-development well and two exploratory wells to boost domestic natural gas supply. 

The Begumganj-5 appraisal-cum-development well will be drilled to a depth of about 3,550 m, the Begumganj-6 exploratory well to about 3,400m, and the Sunetra-2 exploratory well to about 5,300m, followed by testing and completion subject to gas discovery.