Energy, Power, and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan on Thursday announced plans to drill 35 additional gas wells by 2025, in order to resolve the country’s persistent fuel crisis.

Of them, 11 to be drilled by the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) and the remaining 24 through an open tender process.

He also said that a total of 100 wells are planned to be drilled between 2025 and 2028, with Bapex responsible for 43 of those projects.

Furthermore, he indicated that the Energy Ministry is maintaining a vigilant stance regarding the instability in global energy markets due to the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.

Energy and fuel projects will no longer be undertaken under government-to-government mechanism, with open bidding replacing the erstwhile opaque and corrupt practice, the adviser added.

During a press briefing with reporters at the ministry’s conference room, he said that the Ministry of Energy is against extending project deadlines.

He warned that action would be taken against responsible parties if projects are not completed on time.