Various types of machinery and equipment have already been brought to the site.
Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) starts field operations to extinguish the fire at a gas well in Inani, Cox’s Bazar, 19 days after it broke out. Photo: Courtesy
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Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) starts field operations to extinguish the fire at a gas well in Inani, Cox’s Bazar, 19 days after it broke out. Photo: Courtesy
Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) has started field operations to extinguish the fire at a gas well in Inani, Cox’s Bazar, 19 days after it broke out.
Officials concerned said firefighting operations could begin today (14 November), following the completion of necessary preparations.
Various types of machinery and equipment have already been brought to the site.
Bapex Drilling Superintendent Mohammad Anisur Rahman said, “It is too early to say whether the well would eventually be drilled for gas extraction.”
He stressed that the immediate priority was to extinguish the fire or bring it under control safely.
He also declined to comment on the potential gas reserves before an assessment had been carried out.
According to Rahman, all necessary machinery and equipment required to extinguish the fire are being brought to the site.
However, it is not yet possible to say when the fire will be completely put out, he added.
“Once the fire has been extinguished, a team of experts will assess the gas reserves. Further decisions will be taken based on the findings of that investigation,” Anisur added.
The incident began on 27 October when gas emerged during the installation of a tube well at a local resident’s home in the Chhotokhal area of Inani.
The escaping gas subsequently caught fire and has continued to burn for the past 19 days.
Teams from Bapex, Petrobangla and various government departments have already visited the site.
The administration has also taken several precautionary measures to prevent accidents.
Section 144 has been imposed within a 200-metre radius of the site, restricting public movement in the area.
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