WRIP: A Lost Opportunity

UNOCOL, a leading US-based International Oil Company, proposed an integrated Energy Project, Western Region Integrated Project (WRIP), in 1996 to further explore and develop the gas resources of Bhola Island by constructing a 120KM 20-inch outer diameter cross-country gas transmission pipeline from Shabajpur, Bhola to Digholia, Khulna along with three gas-based power plants – 60 MW at Bhola, 100 MW at Barishal and 200 MW at Khulna.

- Saleque Sufi

The total estimated cost of the project was US$700 million. The prospect of the project appeared exciting as successful implementation could have created sustainable energy security in the southern region. This writer was included in the Petrobangla negotiation committee to develop the draft PSC, GTA, GSA, PPA, and IA, and spent hours and days negotiating the contracts and finalizing most of the drafts. Two senior members of the Petrobangla committee – Major (Retired) Muktadir Ali and Lieutenant Colonel Oilullah – have expired and Engr Md Atikuzzaman has migrated to Canada. This writer also led the GTCL team to survey the pipeline ROW with UNOCOL engineers and officials. After extensive surveys for 2 months in the aggressive terrain featuring many tidal rivers and waterways, we could agree on a feasible ROW.