The Sri Lankan government is inviting expressions of interest for appraisal and development of natural gas on offshore Block M2 in the Mannar basin.
M2 lies off western Sri Lanka and covers 2,924 sq km, including the Barracuda and Dorado gas-condensate discoveries (OGJ Online, Nov. 14, 2011).
The Ministry of Petroleum Resources Development said the block, formerly known as 2007-01-001, was recently relinquished by Cairn India Ltd.
A data package containing well data and 2,600 sq km of 3D seismic will be available. Government officials are planning private meetings in March in Houston and London.
Late last year, the ministry signed an agreement with IHS Energy to market M2’s seismic and well log data, and conduct preliminary discussions with interested parties.
A bid round for additional acreage, including offshore eastern Sri Lanka, is planned for this year’s fourth quarter.
