Trabajo presentado en el 24 WGC. Disponible en CD en la biblioteca. Solicite este trabajo por email a biblio@iapg.org.ar

The paper is intended to recognize Seismic Acquisition as the primary step to delineate gas reserves in estuarine, coastal and offshore areas and initiate subsequent exploration. So, analysis of environmentally critical issues and mitigation measures has important role in safe and environmentally responsible development. Bangladesh is now working under its Gas Sector Master Plan and Strategy for 2025 in meeting its energy challenges and thus offering opportunities in further exploration in coastal and offshore Blocks in 2nd & 3rd round bidding process. So, the topic so opted for presentation in WGC 2009 bears high relevance to conference theme "The Global Energy Challenge: Reviewing the Strategies for Natural Gas towards 2030". Attempts have been made to base this paper on essential details on recent experiences and studies conducted and participated by the authors while working in a team of both international and local multidisciplinary professionals specialized in estuarine and marine biodiversity, environmental specialists, prominent socio-economists and legal experts through extensive field visits, key informant interviews and collection and review of documentary evidences contained in similar other adjacent estuarine, coastal and offshore blocks during preparation of a full scale environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for obtaining approval of Department of Environment for launching seismic acquisition involving 2D / 3D seismic survey in one such exploration blocks involving both onshore and offshore lead areas of Bangladesh. Accordingly, it has reflected the extracts from other EIA reports done for adjacent offshore blocks, reference websites, literature reviews, public and stakeholders concerns, applicable legal and regulatory framework and the seismic operational activity descriptions including data acquisition procedure alternatives to choose from. Hence, It is expected that the generic and classical content of the presentation would tremendously benefit the operators and the professionals who are already working in the gas and environmental sectors of Bangladesh including its development partners and also attract attention of the prospective investors in Exploration & Production of natural gas in offshore blocks of Bangladesh and the adjoining neighborhood region in the Bay of Bengal