Natural Gas Extraction in Bangladesh and the Sustainable Development Issues (original) (raw)

2021, Journal of the Institute of Bangladesh Studies

Petroleum activities started in Bangladesh in the then-British era in 1908. Thereafter several policies, legal and contractual frameworks took place to foster petroleum extraction in Bangladesh. Bangladesh discovered 27 gas fields and natural gas has become a principal source of energy. Events of gas blowouts, corruption, environmental problem etc. surrounding natural gas activities raised the question whether natural gas operation is collinear with the concept of sustainable development. Contemporary issues relating to natural gas activities are analyzed in this paper in the light of the present policy, legal and contractual instruments for the purpose of achieving sustainable development goals in this sector. Suggestions are finally made to overcome the present challenges in this field.