SRI LANKA 2026 LICENSING ROUND (SL2026-01) LAUNCHED
Figure 1: Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 Block Map
SL2026-01 offers four offshore exploration blocks covering almost 34,000 km² to international energy companies.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – 25th August 2026 – The Government of Sri Lanka, through the Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka (PDASL), today officially announced the opening of the Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 (SL2026-01), offering four offshore exploration blocks in the Mannar Basin (see Figure 01) to qualified international energy companies.
The Licensing Round represents a significant opportunity for international explorers to evaluate acreage within Sri Lanka’s most established offshore petroleum basin, where previous exploration has demonstrated the presence of a working petroleum system.
The Mannar Basin Opportunity
The Mannar Basin is central to Sri Lanka’s upstream investment proposition.
Previous exploration has demonstrated a working petroleum system and resulted in gas and condensate discoveries, providing important evidence of the basin’s hydrocarbon potential. At the same time, substantial areas remain comparatively underexplored, creating an opportunity for international companies to apply modern exploration technologies and interpretation techniques.
The Licensing Round is supported by geological and geophysical information available to prospective investors, enabling companies to undertake detailed technical evaluation of the offered acreage.
A Strengthened Environment for Upstream Investment
The Licensing Round follows significant reform of Sri Lanka’s upstream petroleum sector.
The Petroleum Resources Act, No. 21 of 2021 established the Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka (PDASL) as the country’s upstream petroleum regulator and created a strengthened institutional framework for the exploration and development of Sri Lanka’s petroleum resources.
Through the Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026, the Government is seeking experienced international companies with the technical expertise, financial capability and offshore exploration experience required to responsibly evaluate and potentially develop the country’s petroleum resources.
Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Energy, commented at the launch:
“The Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 marks an important step in the development of our country’s energy resources. We are opening four significant exploration blocks in the Mannar Basin and invite experienced international energy companies to evaluate this opportunity and work with Sri Lanka as long-term partners in the responsible development of our natural resources.”
Dr. Neil DeSilva, Director General of PDASL, commented at the launch:
“Previous exploration has demonstrated the presence of a working petroleum system in the Mannar Basin. 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.”
Key Facts
The Round officially opens on 25th August 2026 with Bid Documents issued, and the Data Room available from 1st September.
The Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 offers four offshore blocks covering a combined area of approximately 33,964 km².
2026-MB-01 – 5,948.95 km²
2026-MB-02 – 5,689.05 km²
2026-MB-03 – 10,597.67 km²
2026-MB-04 – 11,728.30 km²
The blocks extend across water depths of approximately 100 metres to 3,000 metres, providing substantial exploration positions across the Mannar Basin.
Data Room and Bid Documentation
From 25th August 2026, qualified prospective participants will be able to access the information required to evaluate the Licensing Round opportunity.
The information includes:
Official Licensing Round Bid Documents
Information on the four available exploration blocks
Relevant geological and geophysical information
Technical information available through the Data Room
Licensing and participation requirements
Direct engagement with PDASL
Investor briefings and international roadshow activity
Interested companies are encouraged to engage with PDASL early in the process and access the available information to support their evaluation of the Mannar Basin opportunity.
International Investor Roadshow
The Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 will be supported by an international Investor Roadshow and investor engagement programme.
The international roadshow will open at the World Energies Summit in London on 29th-30th September 2026, where PDASL will present the SL2026-01 opportunity directly to the international upstream industry.
A dedicated Virtual Investor Briefing will take place on 21st October 2026, providing companies globally with an opportunity to hear directly from PDASL and engage on the technical and licensing opportunity.
The Investor Roadshow will subsequently continue at the Asia Petroleum Geoscience Conference & Exhibition 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 16th–17th November 2026.
Notification to successful bidders and the signing of Petroleum Resource Agreements will follow in accordance with the formal evaluation and award process, with dates to be announced.
Media & Investor Enquiries
PDASL TEAM
Email: slr2026@pdasl.gov.lk
Call: +94 (0) 11 233 2002 / +94 (0) 71 324 6836
FRONTIER TEAM
Email: slr2026@frontierenergy.network
Call: +44 (0) 20 8194 7051
ENDS
