DAILEKH: A total of 80.70 billion cubic meters of mineral gas reserves have been confirmed in Jaljale of Bhairavi Rural Municipality–1 in Dailekh district.
According to the final exploration report submitted to the Government of Nepal by China Geological Survey, the substantial volume of gas reserves was identified following detailed studies in the area.
Spokesperson for the Department of Mines and Geology, Dharma Raj Khadka, said the figure was made public after comprehensive research conducted by the Chinese technical team.
An earlier preliminary report had estimated the presence of around 1.12 billion cubic meters of gas in the area. However, further testing and final studies have confirmed reserves far exceeding the initial projection, he said.
Despite the confirmation of the reserves, the department stated that the actual commercial viability and extraction capacity will only be determined after conducting “well testing.”
“At this stage, we have identified only the size of the reserves,” Khadka said. “Without testing, it is not possible to determine how much gas can be extracted commercially or which technology would be most suitable.”
He explained that the next phase will involve using additional equipment at the drilled site to fracture rocks or displace the natural gas. The extracted gas will then undergo laboratory testing to analyze its composition before moving toward commercial production.
The petroleum exploration project is being carried out under a financial and technical assistance agreement worth Rs 2.40 billion between the Government of Nepal and China Geological Survey. Under the agreement, the Chinese team has completed seismic, geological, magnetotelluric, and geochemical surveys.
Khadka said the department is currently reviewing the final report and that the Government of Nepal has requested additional grant assistance from the Chinese government to carry out the remaining tasks.
Experts say the gas discovered in Dailekh is similar to shale or tight gas extracted in countries such as the United States. Such gas remains trapped within layers of rock, making extraction technically challenging and costly.
Exploration began in October 2019, based on naturally burning flames observed for centuries in areas such as Shreesthan, Navisthan, Paduka, and Tallo Dungeshwar in Dailekh.
The gas exploration issue has also emerged as a key election agenda for political parties in Dailekh ahead of the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.
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