SRI LANKA TAKES LICENSING ROUND TO GLOBAL UPSTREAM INVESTORS
Four-block offshore exploration opportunity presented to international E&P industry as Sri Lanka opens global Investor Roadshow in London
LONDON, United Kingdom – 29th September 2026 – The Government of Sri Lanka and the Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka (PDASL) today formally presented the Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 (SL2026-01) to the international upstream industry at the World Energies Summit in London, marking the opening of the Licensing Round’s international Investor Roadshow.
The Licensing Round offers international energy companies access to four offshore exploration blocks covering approximately 33,964 km² in the Mannar Basin, where previous exploration has demonstrated the presence of a working petroleum system and resulted in gas and condensate discoveries.
The Round officially opened on 25th August 2026, with Bid Documents issued and the Data Room available to support evaluation by prospective investors. Bids are due by 02nd February 2027.
Sri Lanka Brings the Mannar Basin to International Investors
The London Investor Roadshow marks the next stage of Sri Lanka’s international campaign to attract experienced upstream investors to evaluate the country’s offshore petroleum potential.
PDASL and the Sri Lankan delegation are using the World Energies Summit to engage directly with international E&P companies, exploration and New Ventures teams, geoscience organisations and senior upstream decision-makers.
The objective is to provide companies with direct access to Sri Lankan leadership, explain the Licensing Round framework and encourage prospective bidders to begin technical evaluation of the available acreage.
Dr. Neil DeSilva, Director General of PDASL, commented:
“Our objective in London is to give international explorers the opportunity to understand the Mannar Basin, examine the available technical information and engage directly with PDASL. We encourage companies interested in frontier and emerging offshore opportunities to evaluate the acreage and participate in the Licensing Round.”
Four Significant Offshore Exploration Blocks
The acreage offered under SL2026-01 comprises:
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
Together, the four blocks cover approximately 33,964 km², across water depths ranging from approximately 100 metres to 3,000 metres, providing international companies with substantial exploration positions within the Mannar Basin.
Why the Mannar Basin?
The Mannar Basin represents Sri Lanka’s most established offshore petroleum opportunity.
Previous exploration has demonstrated a working petroleum system and resulted in gas and condensate discoveries. The basin nevertheless remains comparatively underexplored, providing significant scope for further technical evaluation using modern subsurface technologies and interpretation.
Only a limited number of modern exploration wells have been drilled across the basin, leaving substantial areas untested. The Licensing Round therefore provides companies with an opportunity to evaluate substantial acreage within a basin that combines evidence from previous exploration with significant remaining exploration potential.
Technical Evaluation and Data Access
Prospective investors can access technical information to support their evaluation of the four available blocks through the Licensing Round Data Room.
Available geological and geophysical information enables companies to assess the characteristics of the acreage and undertake their own technical evaluation of the Mannar Basin opportunity.
Qualified companies are encouraged to engage directly with PDASL regarding access to relevant information and participation in the Licensing Round.
International Investor Roadshow
The presentation of the Licensing Round at the World Energies Summit on 29th–30th September 2026 marks the opening of Sri Lanka’s international Investor Roadshow.
Sri Lanka is seeking experienced international energy companies capable of bringing the technical expertise, investment and offshore exploration capability required to evaluate and responsibly develop the country’s petroleum resources.
The international programme will continue through a combination of physical and virtual investor engagement designed to give prospective participants direct access to Sri Lankan leadership, PDASL and the technical information supporting the Round.
Virtual Investor Briefing – 21st October 2026
PDASL will participate in a dedicated Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 Virtual Investor Briefing, providing prospective investors globally with an opportunity to hear directly from Sri Lankan leadership and technical representatives.
The session will provide an overview of:
The Mannar Basin
The four available exploration blocks
Technical information
Licensing process
Data Room access
Key dates
The briefing will also provide an opportunity for direct investor questions.
Kuala Lumpur – 16th–17th November 2026
The Investor Engagement will continue at the Asia Petroleum Geoscience Conference & Exhibition 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, taking the Mannar Basin opportunity directly to the Asia-Pacific upstream and geoscience community.
The Kuala Lumpur engagement will provide an additional opportunity for international companies to meet with the Sri Lankan delegation and discuss the technical and investment proposition.
Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Energy, commented:
“Sri Lanka is presenting a clear invitation to the international upstream industry. We have four substantial exploration blocks available in the Mannar Basin and are committed to creating the conditions for responsible international investment and long-term partnership.”
Key Dates for Prospective Bidders
The Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 remains open for international participation.
Data Room: Open
Bid Documents: Available
21st October 2026: Virtual Investor Briefing
16th–17th November 2026: Investor Roadshow Engagement, Kuala Lumpur
12th January 2027: Bid Clarification Requests Deadline
02nd February 2027: Final Deadline for Submission of Bids
Companies considering participation are encouraged to begin their technical evaluation and engagement with PDASL as early as possible.
About the Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka
The Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka (PDASL) is the upstream petroleum regulator established under the Petroleum Resources Act No. 21 of 2021.
PDASL is responsible for regulating petroleum exploration and development activities, managing petroleum resources in Sri Lanka and supporting responsible international investment in the country’s petroleum resources.
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
