Surkhet, June 19 -- A preliminary study has found an estimated 1.12 billion cubic metres of natural gas in Dailekh district of western Nepal, officials said, potentially marking a significant step in Nepal's search for domestic energy sources.

According to the Department of Mines and Geology, the discovery was based on a geological survey conducted by the China Geological Survey and exploratory drilling by CNPC Xibu Drilling Engineering Company, a Chinese state-owned firm.

The initial report indicates a large presence of methane gas at the Jaljale site, with findings suggesting it could supply Nepal's gas demand for the next 50 years. Officials said a final, detailed report is expected by December.

"We conducted drilling up to a depth ...