Mannar Basin surveyed for oil

by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

Suitable sites for oil drilling in the Mannar Basin are being surveyed at the moment, said Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat - PRDS Director General Dr. Neil de Silva.

The seismic data already available is not sufficient to launch drilling operations. Therefore, Cairn Lanka, the company in charge of the drilling operations is looking for more three dimensional - 3D - data, he said.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer he explained the current situation relating to the oil exploration activities in the "Mannar Basin". He said "Cairn Lanka Ltd. - the successful bidder for oil exploration had entered into an agreement with the Sri Lanka Government.

Under the agreement commencing from October 16, 2008 within a period of three years they are required to complete their explorations and drill three oil wells.The data which 'Cairn Lanka' bought for US$1 million from the Sri Lanka government are not strong enough to ascertain correct locations for drilling. They have to acquire more three dimensioned data.

The sea is rough during April-November, and as such data cannot be collected.

He said the oceanographic data is capable of indicating sea conditions conducive to acquiring seismic data from November to April in the Mannar Basin.

Three dimensional data need to be acquired, processed and interpreted to determine the suitable locations to drill the wells, he pointed out.The drilling program of 'Cairn Lanka Ltd.' should have the approval of the PRDS - to ensure, that the drilling operations are carried out with no harm to the environment, he added.

Oil exploration in Sri Lanka was started in the early 1970s and continued until the mid 1980s.

Seven offshore oil wells were drilled in the North West Sri Lanka, but no oil was discovered.