Emergency Suspension Implemented
Bangladesh has temporarily halted all oil and gas drilling and seismic survey operations across the country for a 48-hour period. The state-run energy agency, Petrobangla, announced the suspension on Sunday, November 23, 2025, citing public safety concerns and the need to prevent potential damage to equipment and personnel following a series of earthquakes that rattled the nation over the weekend. The suspension is effective until 8 AM on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
Earthquakes Rattle the Nation
The decision by Petrobangla comes in the wake of significant seismic activity. A powerful 5.7-magnitude earthquake (measured as ML 5.7 by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and Mw 5.5 by the USGS) struck on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 10:38:26 BST. Its epicenter was located near Madhabdi, Narsingdi, approximately 25 km from Dhaka, at a shallow depth of 10 km. This initial tremor resulted in at least 10 fatalities and hundreds of injuries, with reports indicating over 600 people injured and damage to multiple buildings in Dhaka and other districts.
The main quake was followed by several aftershocks throughout the weekend. On Saturday, November 22, a moderate tremor was felt, along with two smaller aftershocks later in the evening. These included a 3.3-magnitude jolt in Narsingdi in the morning and a 4.3-magnitude quake around 6:00 PM, affecting Dhaka and Narsingdi.
Petrobangla's Precautionary Measure
The suspension was initiated on the advice of geologists and under the instruction of Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan. Shamsunnahar, General Manager (Environment and Safety) of Petrobangla's Operations and Mines Directorate, emphasized the danger, stating, 'It is dangerous to continue drilling during earthquake stress.' The measure aims to safeguard both the workforce and critical infrastructure.
Operations currently affected by the halt include exploration and workover activities at several key wells:
- Shrikail-5
- Habiganj-5
- Kailashtila-1
- Beanibazar-2
- Sylhet-11
- Sylhet-10X
- Rashidpur-11
Additionally, seismic survey operations in Narayanganj's Sonargaon have also been paused. Petrobangla has indicated that drilling and survey activities will resume only if conditions are deemed stable and safe after the 48-hour period.
5 Comments
Comandante
Just a temporary fix. The real problem is drilling in seismic zones at all!
Muchacha
A temporary halt is a sensible immediate response to a natural disaster. However, we must question whether the long-term pursuit of fossil fuels in such a volatile region is sustainable, especially with global climate change pushing for alternatives.
Bella Ciao
Pausing operations for safety is commendable, especially after such a devastating quake. However, 48 hours seems like a very short window to fully assess geological stability, potentially leading to future risks or repeated stoppages.
Ongania
It's good they're taking immediate action to protect workers and equipment. But this incident should prompt a wider discussion on the environmental risks of drilling in seismically active regions, not just a temporary pause.
ZmeeLove
Smart move by Petrobangla. Protecting lives and infrastructure is paramount.