Natural Gas Reserves Confirmed in Dailekh, Project Stalled

Dailekh. A large amount of natural gas has been confirmed to be underground in the Jajale area of Bhairavi Rural Municipality-1. However, this important project is currently in uncertainty as the main work of the second phase could not proceed. At one time, this project, which was in national discussion after initial studies showed the possibility of gas reserves sufficient for Nepal for years, has now slowed down due to a lack of a concrete work schedule.

Meanwhile, this issue was also raised in the historic joint meeting of local level representatives, district administration, and security chiefs of Dailekh and Kalikot districts held in Mahabulek on Jestha 3. The meeting passed a decision demanding that the government expedite the excavation work by determining the actual capacity of petroleum products in Jajale.

What is in the report?

The 'China Geological Survey' has been studying here since 2019 with a grant assistance of approximately Rs 2.17 billion from the Chinese government. According to the report submitted by the Chinese technical team to the Nepal government, there is a reserve of approximately 80.70 billion cubic meters of natural gas underground in the Jajale area. This quantity is estimated to be sufficient for Nepal for 50 to 60 years. With the coordination of the Department of Mines and Geology, drilling work up to a depth of 4,013 meters, the deepest in Nepal, has been successfully completed in the area.

According to Prakash Luintel, the project's information officer, the Chinese side has already submitted the first phase technical report. However, the main work now is to conduct the final testing of gas productivity and commercial storage. He stated that the work has been delayed because, as this is a government-to-government (G2G) project between the two countries, an official response and a clear work schedule from the Chinese side are awaited, despite a request letter being sent for the next process.

If gas excavation can be started from Dailekh, billions of rupees will be saved within the country. The produced methane gas can be easily used as CNG in vehicles, as fuel in industries, and as an alternative to kitchen gas in homes. Experts say this will strengthen the country's energy security even when fuel prices rise in the international market or during blockades.

Navin Yogi, chairman of the Dullu Panchakoshi Area Development Organization, said that this project is not just for Dailekh but a great endeavor for the economic transformation of the entire Nepal. He emphasized that the government should place it as a 'top national priority' in the policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 and expedite it. Chairman Yogi also demanded that the employment and meaningful participation of the local residents of Dailekh should be ensured during excavation, and the Panchakoshi flame area (Shirasthan, Nabhisthan, and Padukhasthan), which has historical and religious significance, should be protected.

The meeting held at Mahabulek, located at an altitude of 4,168 meters above sea level, passed a six-point historic common commitment along with the excavation of petroleum products.

The meeting decided to demand sufficient budget from the federal and provincial governments for opening the remaining track (route) and upgrading the strategically important tri-national 'Mahabu road section' connecting Nepal, India, and China at a short distance. At the meeting, Yashoda Neupane, Deputy Speaker of the Karnali Provincial Assembly, Loman Sharma, Mayor of Narayan Municipality, Jang Bahadur Shahi, Chief of Mahabu Rural Municipality, Chhabiram Subedi, Chief of Naumule Rural Municipality, and Khemraj Singh, Chief of Mahavai Rural Municipality from Kalikot district, mentioned that the Mahabu road is the 'lifeline' of Karnali's prosperity and that it will shorten the distance from Jamunah in India to Nakchenagla in China. The meeting also passed proposals for the systematic development of the Mahavai Dham religious area, the construction of an alternative road, border security, and the development of the Mahabu region as an environmental hub.

Due to the unpaved and dilapidated road, it takes 16 hours to travel from Dailekh headquarters to Mahabu, highlighting the difficult terrain. The historic meeting was held despite extreme inconvenience in transportation and communication.