Dailekh, Nepal, 12 Feb: A mineral gas reserve estimated at 80.7 billion cubic meters has been confirmed in Jaljale, Bhairavi Rural Municipality–1. According to the final exploration report submitted to the Government of Nepal by China’s China Geological Survey, the Jaljale area contains gas reserves of this volume.
According to Dharmaraj Khadka, spokesperson for the Department of Mines and Geology, the figure was made public after an extensive study by the Chinese technical team. An earlier preliminary report had estimated that the area might contain 112 million cubic meters of gas. However, further testing and the final study confirmed that the gas reserve is significantly larger than initially estimated, he said.
Although the size of the reserve has been confirmed, the department stated that the actual commercial production and extraction capacity can only be determined after well testing. Spokesperson Khadka said, “At this stage, 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.”
He added that in the next phase, processes such as fracturing rock formations or displacing natural gas will be carried out using additional equipment at the drilled site. The gas released will then undergo laboratory testing to analyze its components, after which the process for commercial production may move forward.
The Government of Nepal and the China Geological Survey had earlier signed an agreement for petroleum exploration with financial and technical assistance of NPR 2.40 billion. In line with the agreement, the Chinese team has already completed seismic surveys, geological surveys, magnetotelluric surveys, and geochemical surveys, Khadka said.
According to him, the department is currently conducting further analysis of the final report received, and the Government of Nepal has requested the Chinese government for grant assistance to complete the remaining work. Experts say the gas discovered in Dailekh is similar in nature to shale or tight gas extracted in the United States. Since this type of gas is trapped within rock layers, extraction is particularly challenging.
For commercial use, the gas would need to be extracted by breaking rock formations, which poses a significant technical challenge. Exploration in Dailekh began in October 2019 (Ashoj 2076 BS), based on areas where natural flames have burned since ancient times, including Shristhan, Nabhisthan, Paduka, and Lower Dungeshwar.
With the February 21 elections approaching, political parties in Dailekh have also made gas extraction one of their key election agendas.
