(WO) — Sri Lanka has launched its 2026 offshore licensing round, offering four exploration blocks covering nearly 34,000 km² in the Mannar basin to international oil and gas companies.
The Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 (SL2026-01), launched Aug. 25 by the Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka (PDASL), covers a combined 33,964 km² across blocks 2026-MB-01, 2026-MB-02, 2026-MB-03 and 2026-MB-04.
The acreage extends across water depths ranging from approximately 100 m to 3,000 m. Previous exploration in the Mannar basin has confirmed a working petroleum system and resulted in gas and condensate discoveries, while significant portions of the basin remain underexplored, according to PDASL.
“Previous exploration has demonstrated the presence of a working petroleum system in the Mannar basin,” said Dr. Neil DeSilva, director general of PDASL. “The combination of substantial available acreage, technical information and Sri Lanka’s strengthened regulatory framework provides international explorers with a compelling opportunity to take a fresh look at the basin.”
The four blocks range in size from approximately 5,689 km² to 11,728 km². Geological and geophysical information will be made available to prospective bidders through a data room beginning Sept. 1.
The licensing round follows changes to Sri Lanka’s upstream regulatory framework under the Petroleum Resources Act of 2021, which established PDASL as the country’s upstream petroleum regulator.
Sri Lanka is seeking international operators with the technical, financial and offshore exploration capabilities to evaluate and potentially develop the acreage.
“The Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 marks an important step in the development of our country’s energy resources,” Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka said. “We are opening four significant exploration blocks in the Mannar basin and invite experienced international energy companies to evaluate this opportunity.”
Dates for notification of successful bidders and the subsequent signing of Petroleum Resource Agreements will be announced as the licensing process progresses.
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