Gas exploration to be extended to Galle

A symposium on Sri Lanka’s oil and gas exploration will be held in Sri Lanka next year, Petroleum Research Development Secretariat (PRDS) Director General Saliya Wickramasuriya said.Representatives for leading global oil and gas exploration Companies will be present.

The government has decided to expand oil and gas exploration in Sri Lanka from Mullaitivu to the Galle offshore belt next year.

We will offer around 10 offshore blocks in the Cauvery and Mannar basins under the second offshore licensing round which will be launched by the end of the year, Wickramasuriya said. He said that the first licensing round of the three exploration blocks in the Mannar basin was held in 2007 and CAIRN Lanka was awarded block 2. Oil exploration by CAIRN Lanka and petroleum production in the adjoining Indian Ocean have indicated a high potential for viable petroleum systems offshore, he said. -LSAW