Dailekh, Jan 17: The drilling process for petroleum exploration in Jaljale, Bhairavi Rural Municipality-1 of Dailekh district has been completed, and the technical team has returned to China with collected samples. The drilling work, which started on Baisakh 23, 2081, concluded with samples collected from the site.
According to Prakash Luitel, a geologist at the Department of Mines and Geology, drilling reached a depth of 4,013 meters. Samples of gravel and sand were collected at intervals of every two meters. These samples were transported to China for further analysis of source rock, reservoir rock, and seal rock.
Luitel stated that casing and cementing work has been completed following the drilling process. Of the 35-member technical team from China, 15 remained at the site in Jaljale, while the rest have returned to China. He added that gas storage and processing work could begin in three months if the excavation proceeds as planned.
During the first phase, Chinese experts conducted a field study in Dailekh to identify potential sites for petroleum deposits. Based on their findings, a ring house was constructed, and drilling work commenced. After the discovery of deposits, an economic analysis will be conducted before moving forward with production.
The Nepal government signed an agreement with the Chinese government on February 28, 2019, to carry out the petroleum exploration in Shirsathan, Navisthan, and Paduka of Dailekh within three years. Although the work was initially scheduled to be completed in three phases over three years, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays. The exploration is being conducted with a grant of Rs 2.5 billion from the Chinese government. #nepal #petrol #exploration
