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Chevron plans to complete seismic survey by mid-2008

UNB, Dhaka
International oil-company Chevron plans to complete its 3D seismic survey in Mouivibazar gasfield by the middle of this year as it is working in full swing to strike new hydrocarbon reserves in the area.
Chevron Bangladesh President Steve Wilson expressed his company's firm belief that if they continue their work as planned, they should finish the survey before monsoon.
"We continue to advance our efforts and hope to complete the survey around mid-year,” he told news agency UNB, adding that about one-third of data recording has been completed so far.
Chevron started its work on three-dimensional (3D) seismic survey in January this year in this gas-field to determine a better understanding of the size and location of the gas reserves.
The field was discovered in 1999 and production began in 2005. Now it produces up to 75 million cubic feet (mmef) of gas per day.
Wilson said the most modern technology is being used in the survey, which covers nearly 150 square kilometres, including about 16 percent within the Lawachhara national forest. The survey techniques have been extensively modified for work in Lawachhara's sensitive habitat to ensure that there is no significant impact on the environment.
"Only existing trails have been used, ensuring that no trees are cut during (he work," said the companyboss.
Speaking about the fire that broke out in the Lawachhara forest on Saturday afternoon, he said, "We were shocked to hear about the fire over the weekend.”
Right now there is no evidence to suggest that the incident is connected to Chevron’s activities, he claimed, adding that they are gathering information to understand what really happened
About the allegation that the fire might have been caused by explosions during survey work, the Chevron’s country chief said to date, no charges had been set off in the forest area, and the company had no crew working in the area where the fire broke out at that time.
However, Wilson pointed out that during the survey, small charges would be used, but those would be buried 70 feet deep. “The charges are biodegradable, and when set off, show no trace of any explosion on the surface. They are designed such that sound waves propagate down into the earth."
Commenting on media reports on deafening explosions in the area, Wilson said "the noise level recorded from test shots is less than that recorded from the singing of birds in the forest”
He said Chevron has taken the report on the fire incident very seriously. "Fortunately, from our
initial reports the fire did not appear to cause major damage to the flora and fauna of the forest. We can now confirm that an area of 70 to 35 meters was damaged, and it appears the fire only burnt surface scrub and no trees were harmed."
He said Chevron has launched an investigation into the incident, and recording activities in the forest would be suspended until initial findings of the investigation are reported
Chevron is also operating two-additional gas-fields in the country. Of those, Bibiyana field is producing around 500 mmefd while the Jalalabad field 150 mmefd. In total, the US-based IOC's country outfit now provides about 40 percent of Bangladesh's gas supply, investing more than S820 million in the business.
Bangladesh's proven and recoverable gas reserves are 13.54 tefand the country is producing about 1800 mmefd gas against a demand for over 1900 mmefd.
The gap between demand and supply is widening as the demand from the power and fertilizer plants and industrial consumers is on a steady rise.