24-06-08 US supermajor Chevron and UK explorer Cairn Energy have signed a deal with Bangladesh to carry out further gas exploration and seismic work at Block 7 in the country's south-west, Petrobangla director Muhammad Muqtadir Ali said.
"We have signed the production sharing contract with Chevron and Cairn Energy for an additional seismic and drilling programme," Ali told. Work will consist of 450 km of 2D data on Block 7, beginning at the end of 2008, followed by the drilling of an exploration well, he said.

In 2006, Chevron shot a seismic survey in the region and found three potential hydro-carbon zones.
"The programme aims to identify new reserves to help increase the energy supply to Khulna (industrial city) and other neighbouring parts and also to justify the investment in the energy-starved South West gas hub," Chevron's Bangladesh boss Steve Wilson told.

Chevron is currently producing more than a third of Bangladesh's total gas from its three fields -- Jalalabad, Moulavibazar and Bibiyana.
Chevron and Cairn each hold 45 % of Block 7, with the remaining 10 % held by Petrobangla.