LICENSING ROUND RESOURCES

The Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 is an international competitive process through which the Government of Sri Lanka, through the Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka (PDASL), is inviting qualified companies to evaluate and bid for offshore petroleum exploration opportunities.

The Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka (PDASL) is the statutory body responsible for regulating petroleum exploration, development and production in Sri Lanka. PDASL operates under the Ministry of Energy and was established under the Petroleum Resources Act No. 21 of 2021.

Sri Lanka offers underexplored offshore acreage, proven evidence of a working petroleum system, an established regulatory framework and a strategic Indian Ocean location. The Licensing Round provides investors with an opportunity to establish an early position in a comparatively underexplored petroleum province.

Sri Lanka's offshore remains comparatively underexplored. Drilling in the Mannar Basin in 2011 confirmed natural gas and condensate, demonstrating the presence of a working petroleum system and providing a strong technical foundation for renewed exploration.

Sri Lanka's offshore petroleum province includes the Mannar, Cauvery and Lanka Basin areas. Details of the acreage offered in the Licensing Round, including maps and block coordinates, will be provided through the official Licensing Round documentation

Yes. Exploration drilling in the Mannar Basin in 2011 confirmed natural gas and condensate accumulations, providing evidence of Sri Lanka's offshore petroleum potential.

The Round is intended for suitably qualified companies with the technical, financial and operational capability to undertake offshore petroleum exploration and development. Full qualification requirements will be contained in the official Licensing Round documentation

Consortium participation will be subject to the requirements set out in the official Licensing Round documentation, including provisions relating to operatorship, technical capability and financial capacity.

Available petroleum information includes seismic, gravity, gravity-gradiometry, magnetic and well data. Existing datasets have also undergone modern processing and reprocessing to improve subsurface imaging and interpretation.

Yes. A dedicated Data Room will enable qualified investors to review available geological, geophysical and technical information relating to the offered acreage. Registration, access arrangements and available datasets will be published through this website.

Prospective investors will be able to register for Data Room access through the Licensing Round website, or by emailing kularathna@pdasl.gov.lk/dg@pdasl.gov.lk

Applicants may be required to provide company and authorised representative information before access is granted.

Petroleum exploration and development is principally governed by the Petroleum Resources Act No. 21 of 2021, together with supporting regulations and guidelines administered by PDASL.

The applicable fiscal framework, Petroleum Resources Agreement and principal commercial terms will be provided within the official Licensing Round documentation.

Yes. PDASL's Upstream Petroleum Local Content Guidelines support employment, training and skills development for Sri Lankan nationals, knowledge and technology transfer and participation by Sri Lankan businesses in the upstream supply chain.

Bids will be evaluated in accordance with the published criteria. Following evaluation and any required negotiations and approvals, successful investors will enter into the applicable Petroleum Resources Agreement and obtain the required licence

The official timetable, including the launch, Data Room access, clarification period and bid submission deadline, will be published on this website. Participants should monitor the website for official announcements and updates.

Yes. The Government of Sri Lanka and PDASL will engage with international investors through investor briefings, industry events and direct engagement during the Licensing Round. Details will be published on this website.

Yes. A formal clarification process will enable prospective bidders to submit questions during the specified period. Official responses and clarifications will be communicated in accordance with the Licensing Round procedures.

Prospective investors can register their interest through this website to receive Licensing Round announcements, Data Room information, investor briefing invitations and important updates.

Official Licensing Round documents, technical information, regulatory materials, notices and clarifications will be available through the Documents & Resources section of this website.

Licensing Round enquiries should be directed to the Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka (PDASL) through the contact details provided on this website.

Important Notice: These FAQs are provided for general information only. The official Licensing Round documentation and applicable laws and regulations of Sri Lanka shall prevail.