Resettlement Planning Document Resettlement Plan Document Stage: Final Project Number: 35242 November 2005 BAN: Gas Transmission and Development Project Prepared by the Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) for the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The resettlement plan is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Field Appraisal (3D Seismic Survey) CHAPTER 1 SCOPE OF LAND ACQUISITION AND RESETTLEMENT 1.1 INTRODUCTION Natural gas is the primary source of energy in Bangladesh and about two third of the total requirement of energy is now being met by this resource. Recent reserve estimates, current consumption rates and future daily requirement projection scenarios suggest that the known recoverable reserves will be exhausted very soon. To replenish the depleted resources to meet the future demand, exploration activities need to be geared up in the near future. Oil and gas exploration activities started in the country from 1910 with geological mapping and Geological Information Boreholes (GIB) drilling. From 1910 to 1971, a total of 28 exploration wells were drilled and commercial gas discovered in 8 of the wells. From 1971 to 1998, a total of 29 exploratory wells were drilled and commercial gas was found in 13 wells and oil was found in one well. The locations of all the exploratory wells were delineated with the help of geophysical methods i.e. aeromagnetic, gravity and seismic reflection surveys. Seismic reflection method using multifold coverage techniques is the most effective tool for geological mapping. Most of the structures i.e. hydrocarbon reserve traps in Bangladesh are deeply buried and seismic reflection survey is the only means to delineate these buried hydrocarbon traps. Seismic exploration technology is advancing in line with increases in demand for energy resources. 3-D method is the latest development for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation that would lead to successful solution of field development problems. It allows precise identification of structures including micro faults, which is not possible in 2-D method. It also improves the definition of structural container size and location of maximum hydrocarbon reserve. Structural mapping is almost accurate and drilling locations can be precisely located, thereby cost and risk of production well is reduced significantly. On the contrary, 2-D seismic survey provided two-dimensional vertical cross-section of the sub-surface along the recorded lines that are normally 2-5 km apart. In a 2-D survey the information cubes are normally 2 km x 2 km in horizontal and vertical directions, while in a 3-D survey the same are 25m x 25m or even less. All the gas fields in Bangladesh were delineated by 2-D seismic reflection survey. But none of them were apprised either by 3-D seismic survey or by appraisal drilling. The records of the different gas fields estimated by varies companies/agencies are based on old maps. The reserve of the Habigonj gas field estimated by Pak Shell in early date was 1.28 TCF. Now after 10 wells drilled in this field the gas-in-place is 5.14 TCF estimated by HCU/NPD. Similarly from the early interpretation based on 2-D Seismic reflection data and from the drilled wells in Titas gas field, the estimated gas-in place was about 2.25 TCF. But after production of more than 2.00 TCF of gas from Titas field, there has not been any significant pressure drop and the present estimate of gas-in-place in Titas is estimated by the Hydrocarbon Unit in 2002 to be 7.30 TCF. Had there been 3-D seismic survey done over the Habigonj, Titas and other structures, a precise idea about the gas-in-place could be obtained. Page-1 Field Appraisal (3D Seismic Survey) In association with BGFCL and SGFL, BAPEX has planned 3-D seismic survey of five major gas fields of the country, namely Titas, Bakrabad, Sylhet, Kailastila and Rashidpur. Titas and Bakrabad gas fields are under Bangladesh Gas Field Company Limited (BGFCL) and Sylhet, Kailastila and Rashidpur gas fields are under Sylhet Gas Field Limited (SGFL). The seismic survey will cover an area of about 1250 Sq. Km in the five gas fields (Attachment-1). Through such survey, a more clear picture about the gas reserves in the field will be available. This resettlement plan (RP) relates mainly to temporary land acquisition. The 3-D survey will not require any land acquisition. Since Bangladesh does not have involuntary resettlement legislation, the RP should be guided by the international best practice policies of funding agencies such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as well as by the experience gained in the country on similar projects that have involved land acquisition, requisition and compensation for crops damages. Adroit Environment Consultants Ltd. has been engaged to make a detailed assessment of the losses to property, crops, trees and prepare detailed RP. The team of experts consisting of an Environmentalist, Sociologist, and other disciplines, along with BAPEX personnel were in the field to collect necessary data. Payment of compensation for temporary requisition of land for 3-D seismic survey will be paid as per Land Acquisition Principles. Land requisition including payment of compensation will be completed before taking possession of the land. Compensation for damages of crops due to seismic survey in the 5 gas fields will be paid as per Bangladesh law and ADB guidelines during the survey phase of the Project, which involve digging for placing of explosives. A consulting firm/NGO will be appointed to facilitate in the implementation process of the RP. 1.2 Objectives of the Project The main objectives of the project are as follows: i. 3-D Seismic data acquisition, processing and interpretation over the above- mentioned five gas fields. ii. Help better planning on future gas demand-supply through better knowledge about the gas reservoir. iii. To reduce the number of appraisal wells for reservoir estimation of the gas fields. iv. To develop human resources of BAPEX in the utilization of 3-D seismic technology for oil and gas exploration in the country. 1.3 Scope of Work Under the Project There is no need for permanent acquisition of land for this 3-D survey. The Project will only involve temporary land acquisition. The total surface coverage is 1,250 Sq. Km. The individual gas field coverage is shown in Table 1.1. Temporary strip acquisition of 1 meter for sensor lines over the total coverage area is estimated at 250 hectares (ha). Temporary acquisition for shot holes each measuring 4 square meters will require temporary acquisition of 20 ha. Total temporary acquisition will be 270 ha. Survey Page-2 Field Appraisal (3D Seismic Survey) activities shall start from November 2006, but shot holes and lines of sensor strips will remain in acquisition for not more than 15 days. Since a large area of Sylhet, Kailastila and Rashidpur area is covered with hillocks that are government property, the affected area will be significantly less than 270 ha. Cropped lands will be avoided to the extent possible. However, there would be some damages to the standing crops during the surveys. Table 1.1 : Surface Coverage (Sq. Km) for 5 Gas Field to be Temporarily Acquired for 15 days as under Field Season 2005-06 Sl. No Name of Gas field Dimension Total Coverage (Km x Km) Area (Sq. Km) 1 Titas 24 x 14 335 2 Bakhrabad 20 x 10.5 210 Total 545 Field Season 2006-07 1 Sylhet 15.5 x 12 190 2 Kailastila 17 x 11 190 Total 380 Field Season 2007-08 1 Rashidpur 26 x 12.5 325 Total 325 Total surface coverage for 2 Gas Fields (BGFCL) 545 Sq.km Total surface coverage for 3 Gas Fields (SGFL) 705 Sq. km Total surface coverage for 5 Gas Fields 1250 Sq. km 1.4 Location of the Project Area The project areas partially cover four districts of the country, namely Brahmanbaria, Comilla, Sylhet and Hobiganj in the eastern and northeastern parts of Bangladesh. The Titas gas field was discovered by Pakistan Shell Oil Company in 1962. Total recoverable gas reserve of Titas field is 5,110 billion cubic feet (BCF) as per latest official estimate. Commercial production of gas from this field was commenced in 1968. The field lies at the skirt of the Brahmanbaria town. The structure is an elongate north-south asymmetrical anticline measuring about 24 X 14 km with a vertical closure of 500 m. The proposed project is located at Brahmanbaria sadar. The river Titas is passing through the project area. Bakhrabad gas field under Muradnagar upazila is in the south, Ashugonj power station in the west, Nasirnagar in the north and India is in the east. Bakhrabad gas field was discovered by Pakistan Shell Oil Company Ltd. in 1969. The field (coverage 20 kmx10.5 km) is located at Muradnagar upazila under Comilla District. Total recoverable gas reserve of Bakhrabad field is 1,002 BCF. The ground level is Page-3 Field Appraisal (3D Seismic Survey) between 5.4 – 5.5m above the mean sea level. Debidar Upazila is in the south, Homna Upazila in the west, Kasba in the East and Nabinagar in the North. The topography of the area of Titas and Bakhrabad is flat compared to that of Sylhet, Kailastila and Rashidpur gas fields. The ground level is between 5.4 – 5.5m above the mean sea level. It is well connected with Dhaka and other cities of the country. The Sylhet gas field (coverage 15.5 kmx12 km) is located at Haripur northeast of Sylhet City and Gowinghat Upazila is in the North, Golapgonj Pourashava is in the southeast, Beanibazar in the east and Biswanath in the west.