80.7 Billion Cubic Meters of Gas Reserves Confirmed in Jaljale, Dailekh
A total of 80.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves have been confirmed in Jaljale of Bhairavi Rural Municipality–1, Dailekh. According to the final exploration report submitted to the Government of Nepal by China Geological Survey, the significant volume of mineral gas has been identified in the area.
Department of Mines and Geology spokesperson Dharmaraj Khadka stated that the figure was made public following a detailed study conducted by the Chinese technical team.
Earlier preliminary reports had estimated around 1.12 billion cubic meters of gas in the region. However, further testing and final studies have confirmed a substantially larger reserve than initially projected.
Although the gas reserve has been confirmed, the department clarified that the actual commercial production capacity will only be determined after conducting a “well testing” process.
Spokesperson Khadka said, “So far, we have only identified the size of the reserve. Without well testing, it is not possible to determine how much gas can be extracted or which technology would be most suitable.”
According to him, the next phase will involve using additional equipment at the drilled site to fracture the rock formations or displace the natural gas. The extracted gas will then undergo laboratory testing to analyze its composition before moving toward commercial production.
The Government of Nepal and China Geological Survey had signed an agreement worth NPR 2.40 billion in financial and technical assistance for petroleum exploration. Under the agreement, the Chinese team has completed seismic, geological, magnetotelluric, and geochemical surveys, the department confirmed.
The department is currently conducting further study of the final report, and the Government of Nepal has requested additional grant assistance from China to complete the remaining work.
Experts say that the gas discovered in Dailekh is similar to “shale or tight gas” extracted in the United States. Such gas remains trapped within rock layers, making extraction technically challenging.
For commercial production, rocks must be fractured to release the gas. Exploration in Dailekh began in October 2019 (Ashoj 2076 BS), based on areas where natural flames have been burning for centuries, including Shreesthan, Navisthan, Paduka, and Tallo Dungeshwor.
The gas extraction issue has also become a major political agenda for parties in Dailekh ahead of the upcoming elections scheduled for Falgun 21.
