Officials concerned said the decision for prior examination of the plan was taken to remove all sorts of uncertainty regarding afresh relief well to tame the fire in the gas field in Sunamganj district.

Other stakeholders, especially the locals, who have to bear the brunt of the blaze--twice within six months--also were skeptical about the fresh drilling before checking its viability.

Advisor to the energy ministry Mahmudur Rahman said an international expert having vast experience in drilling relief wells and controlling blowout accidents will be appointed for the vetting.

"I have already asked Petrobangla and Bapex to seek an international expert's opinion about the work plan and design submitted by Niko Resources to drill a fresh relief well," he told reporters.

The latest blowout at Tengratila gas field occurred on June 24 during the drilling for a second well near the original production well that had blown out in January.

He said the government seeks the third party vetting since it wants to remove all sorts of uncertainty and skepticism over the fresh bid for drilling a third well in order to avert any further accident.

Mahmudur Rahman held a meeting with officials of the Petrobangla and Bapex to discuss the work plan and design the Canadian company submitted last Thursday to the ministry for approval to start the fresh bailout drilling in the gas field.

The advisor said both the arrangements for new drilling and third party vetting would simultaneously run so that the preparation for controlling the flames could not be delayed or hampered.