Sri Lanka Invites Bids for Four Offshore Oil and Gas Blocks in Mannar Basin
admin 
Sri Lanka has launched its 2026 licensing round, inviting international oil and gas companies to bid on four offshore exploration blocks in the Mannar basin. The blocks—designated 2026-MB-01, 2026-MB-02, 2026-MB-03, and 2026-MB-04—span water depths from 100 m to 3,000 m and cover a total of 33,964 km², with individual block sizes ranging from 5,689 km² to 11,728 km².
The Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka (PDASL) initiated the global promotional campaign at the World Energies Summit in London to attract experienced offshore operators. While past drilling in the Mannar basin has confirmed a working petroleum system with gas and condensate discoveries, PDASL notes that the region remains largely untested due to a low density of modern exploration wells.
Dr. Neil DeSilva, Director General of PDASL, emphasized that the licensing round offers a prime opportunity for operators seeking high-potential frontier and emerging offshore plays. Prospective bidders can access geological and geophysical datasets through a dedicated virtual data room to conduct technical evaluations.
PDASL has scheduled a virtual investor briefing for October 21 to detail the technical data and bidding process. Promotion will continue at the Asia Petroleum Geoscience Conference & Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur on November 16-17. The deadline for submitting clarification requests is January 12, 2027, with final bids due by February 2, 2027.
