A groundbreaking discovery of 1.12 billion cubic metres of methane gas has been made in Dailekh district, marking a major milestone in Nepal’s search for domestic energy resources. The preliminary findings suggest the potential for long-term energy independence if the reserves are commercially viable.
🧪 Key Details from Exploration
- The gas reserve was identified at a site known as Jaljale in Dailekh after extensive geological surveys and exploratory drilling.
- Drilling was conducted to a depth of 4,013 meters, and core samples were extracted and tested to confirm the presence of methane gas.
- Experts involved in the project estimate that this reserve alone could meet Nepal’s natural gas demand for up to 50 years.
🗺️ Background and Development
Nepal’s search for oil and gas dates back several decades, but only recently has modern technology been used to investigate these resources seriously. Jaljale is one of four identified drilling sites in Dailekh, and it is the first to undergo deep exploration.
The total estimated reserve across all four sites is believed to be around 43 billion cubic metres, offering promising potential for national energy production if all are confirmed.
🏗️ Project Execution
- The drilling was carried out on a 45-ropani site (approximately 22,780 square meters) in a government-managed area.
- This is the deepest geological drilling ever conducted in Nepal, and the project is seen as a benchmark in the country’s exploration history.
- A final report on the volume, quality, and commercial feasibility of the methane gas is expected by December 2025.
🔋 Energy and Economic Implications
If verified and commercially viable, this discovery could:
- Reduce Nepal’s dependency on imported fuel
- Boost local employment opportunities in excavation, processing, and supply-chain logistics
- Lay the groundwork for a domestic natural gas industry
- Enhance Nepal’s energy security and sustainability
This development also comes at a time when the country is seeking to diversify its energy sources and strengthen internal production capacity.
📈 What’s Next?
- Detailed lab testing and commercial feasibility analysis are currently underway.
- Additional exploratory drilling will be conducted at the remaining three identified sites in Dailekh.
- Once the final report is submitted, the next phase will involve planning for commercial extraction, potential partnerships, and national-level infrastructure development for processing and distribution.
✅ Conclusion
The discovery of over 1.12 billion cubic metres of methane gas in Dailekh signals a new era in Nepal’s energy landscape. With promising preliminary results and deeper studies in progress, this find has the potential to transform Nepal’s long-standing reliance on fuel imports and open doors to energy self-reliance and industrial growth.
