GAIL for coal gasification project in Bangladesh

New Delhi, September 13, 2005Petrobangla (Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Minerals Corporation) has agreed to offer GAIL (India) Limited the development of Jamalganj coal field and coal gasification facilities on nomination basis.

The issue was discussed at the meeting between GAIL and Petrobangla, a state owned hydrocarbon company in Bangladesh, held during the recent visit of Shri Proshanto Banerjee, Chairman and Managing Director, GAIL to Dhaka. Shri Banerjee accompanied the Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Panchayati Raj who visited Bangladesh recently to hold discussions on Myanmar - Bangladesh - India Gas Pipeline.

Jamalganj coal filed is one of the biggest coal fields in Bangladesh with coal reserves of 1050 million MT at the depth of 650 – 1150 meter. During the meeting, GAIL shared its initiatives in the development of coal gasification facilities both in-situ and above ground. GAIL is having access to both underground (in-situ coal gasification) as well as above ground coal gasification technologies. GAIL is also working on a pilot project for underground coal gasification in Bamer district in Rajasthan State. GAIL is in discussion with different companies in China for setting up coal gasification facilities.

Petrobangla agreed to offer Jamalganj coal fields on nomination basis to GAIL for developing coal gasification facilities. It has been proposed to examine both in-situ as well as above ground coal gasification options in detail.

.