The compensation issue has come to a resolution regarding Chevron's three-dimensional (3D) seismic survey in Moulvibazar district where some local houses were allegedly damaged by the survey.
Chevron Bangladesh Blocks Thirteen and Fourteen Ltd, a sister concern of the US-based international oil company Chevron, conducted the seismic survey in the Moulvibazar area in 2008 in order to delineate the hydrocarbon reserve position in the gas field there.
During the survey, the company had carried out small scale drillings and blasted explosives in the underground.
After the works, some villagers alleged that their houses were damaged because of the explosions.
The issue had remained unresolved for a long time. The officials of the district administration, energy ministry and Petrobangla, owners of damaged houses and the Chevron officials at a meeting last week decided that Chevron would pay compensation for the houses within 100 meters from charging points.
Deputy Commissioner of Moulvibazar district Md Mustafizur Rahman presided over the meeting.
As per the decision, 730 mud-wall houses will be paid Tk 1200 (US$18) each, 84 brick-wall houses will get Tk 3000 (US$ 44) each and seven shallow tube-wells to be re-established at actual cost (claimed to be damaged during the survey).
The total amount comes to around US$ 19,000. The DC office will shortly circulate the minutes of the meeting with detailed information.