17-10-05 Unocal, the US-based oil-gas exploration company conducted an aerial survey at the coastal belt in Bangladesh's southern region to assess gas and oil reserves.
Sources said members of Unocal's engineering unit of seismic and geographical survey talked to its local staff at its Barisal office during the aerial visit from seaplane.

Unocal's Barisal office liaison officer Riyadh Ahmed said Unocal started the seismic and geographical survey to ascertain oil and gas reserves in the region and assess the feasibility of gas and oil exploration. The highly experienced geo-physics experts of the company conducted the survey with sonar equipment using sound waves and collected data that would be sent to Unocal's US office.
On the basis of its analytical report, the company will take decision on exploration under a contract with BAPEX and they will start their work from Kuakata coastal area very soon, Riyadh Ahmed said.

According to official sources, experts of the Ministry of Energy and MineralResources earmarked seven blocks in the country for oil and gas exploration. Greater Barisal region fell in block No. 7 and some 2 tcf of gas reserve has already been found at Shahbazpur gas field in Bhola.
Barisal district BNP secretary Advocate Nazrul Islam Rajon, and city Awami League convener Advocate Shawkat Hossain Hiron hailed the steps taken for oil and gas exploration in the southern region and said it would change the socio-economic patterns of the region.