Crude oil

The only oil field of the country is located in Haripur of the Sylhet district, which, was discovered in 1986. Although a relatively large quantity of gas has been discovered in the county, the amount of oil discovery is very small. This is in a sharp contrast to many hydrocarbon provinces of the world where large volumes of both gas and oil co-exist. Geologists of our country are somewhat confused by this reality and most opine that exploration into even deeper sedimentary layers then those producing gas may help discover oil. The Horipur oil is discovered in sandstone layers within a subsurface fold called Sylhet Anticline which is about 13 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide; producing horizons are around 2000 meters depths and two closely spaced oil-horizons have been detected. Maximum oil reserve is estimated to be around 21 million barrels. Oil production under natural pressure was 400 barrels per day in 1987 which dropped to about 100 barrels in 1994 and since then it has remained suspended due to necessity of further development of the field. Between 1987 and 1994, a total of 0.56 million of crude oil have been produced. The quality of the Haripur oil is similar to that discovered in Assam.

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