The government is moving to gradually reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imported fuel by expanding domestic energy production, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said on Monday.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the launch of gas supply from a new well at the Srikail Gas Field in Cumilla, the minister said the government has set a target to add 82 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) to the national grid through wells across the country under a 180-day action plan.

He expressed confidence that engineers and officials from the state-run Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) would be able to meet — and possibly exceed — that production target.

According to the minister, the government aims to supply a significant share of the country’s natural gas demand from domestic sources within the next five years, reducing the need for costly imports.

The newly drilled Srikail-5 well is expected to contribute 8 to 10 mmcfd of gas to the national grid.

Officials estimate that the gas field could generate energy worth about Tk 6,832 crore over the next decade, based on current prices for imported liquefied natural gas (LNG). Importing the same amount of gas, the minister said, would put additional pressure on the country’s foreign currency reserves.

The government is therefore prioritizing domestic exploration and production to strengthen energy security and protect the economy from global fuel market volatility.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Amit said Bangladesh’s reliance on imported energy leaves the country vulnerable during international crises.

He pointed to disruptions caused by the Russia–Ukraine war and ongoing **tensions in