PM urges Chevron to invest more in new gas field exploration

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged international energy company Chevron to invest heavily in new exploration sectors in Bangladesh to ensure national energy security and meet the ever-growing domestic demand. He asked the US-based giant to come forward to explore new potential gas fields in addition to increasing the production capacity of existing gas fields.

The prime minister made the call when a high-level delegation led by Chevron’s Base Assets and Emerging Countries President Javier La Rosa paid a courtesy call on her at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday. The prime minister’s deputy press secretary Shahadat Swadhin confirmed this information to independent journalists.

The meeting on investment and development ideas in the energy sector saw a lengthy discussion on the current picture of Bangladesh’s overall energy sector and future investment prospects. In particular, it focused on maintaining production from the country’s old and existing gas fields through modern technology and strengthening exploration work in new areas.

The courtesy call was attended by high-level government representatives and top Chevron officials. Notable among them were:

• Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir: Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance and Planning.

• Anindya Islam Amit: State Minister of Power and Energy.

• Shu Xiong: President and Managing Director, Chevron Bangladesh.

According to energy analysts, if the additional investment by this American company is implemented, it will play an effective role in resolving the country’s overall gas crisis.