The Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka (PDASL) has launched the Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 (SL2026-01).
Four offshore exploration blocks are available to international energy companies in the Mannar Basin.
This is the nation’s most established offshore petroleum basin, with prior exploration said to have demonstrated a working petroleum system, with several gas and condensate discoveries.
However, large areas of the basin remain little explored.
In support of the Licensing Round, PDASL (on behalf of the government) is making available geological and geophysical information to enable interested parties to conduct detailed evaluation of the offered acreage.
The Petroleum Resources Act, No. 21 of 2021 established the PDASL as the country’s upstream petroleum regulator, with a strengthened institutional framework for the exploration and development of Sri Lanka’s petroleum resources.
A technical data room and bid documentation for the for blocks is now open to qualified prospective participants, with information concerning licensing and participation requirements; direct engagement with the PDASL; investor briefings and international roadshow activity.
The first roadshow will open at the World Energies Summit in London on Sept. 29-30, with the PDASL presenting the SL2026-01 opportunity. A Virtual Investor Briefing will follow on Oct. 21, with the Investor Roadshow then heading to the Asia Petroleum Geoscience Conference & Exhibition 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 16-17.