Russians here to look for oil

28 November 2011 08:30 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Russian oil and gas giant GAZPROM has sent a four-member technical team to check on the viability of oil and gas exploration in northern Sri Lanka’s Mannar Basin, Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premjayantha said yesterday.

He said another team was expected from the Indian Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC) next week.

“The GAZPROM team which arrived yesterday was a sequel to discussions between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Russian Authorities when he visited Russia last year and my follow up trip to Moscow. GAZPROM is keen on oil and gas exploration in the Mannar Basin.

They are liaising with the Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS) on this matter,” the minister said and added that GASPROM would be offered a block in the Mannar Basin after it completes studying the data available.

The minister said Cairn-Sri Lanka, a subsidy of Cairn India, is analysing the data collected from the two oil wells it drilled in the Mannar Basin to determine their commercial viability. It’s also drilling third well.

“In 2007 when Sri Lanka offered three blocks, C1, C2 and C3 in the Cauvery Mannar Basin Cairn India won the bid as it was the only company able to meet the conditions of the tender and was offered block C2 for oil exploration,” the minister said and added that Cairn India had conducted three dimensional seismic tests and based on the results of the data collected were now in the process of drilling oil wells in block C2.

The minister said five blocks in the Mannar Basin -- M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 located off the North Western coast were lined up for international tenders. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Comments - 13

buffaloa citizen Tuesday, 29 November 2011 04:07 AM

Everyones palms also get oiled in this venture.

hansanh Tuesday, 29 November 2011 04:04 AM

Very soon Saudi's will also come looking for oil. Wonder of Sri Lanka.

Subramaniam Tuesday, 29 November 2011 05:19 AM

Squeeze sand and get oil.

Kangarro Tuesday, 29 November 2011 05:40 AM

I think we should find something else rather than finding oil

Nodrog Tuesday, 29 November 2011 06:00 AM

Is this the new 'gundu' to divert attention from the rising costs of living?

ajith Tuesday, 29 November 2011 06:27 AM

They will find oil only during the next Presidential Election for sure

ind Tuesday, 29 November 2011 06:58 AM

Early time we did that !!

rif Tuesday, 29 November 2011 09:15 AM

oil is there but commission is much more than cost of production , so no one want get it to it

victoria Tuesday, 29 November 2011 09:49 AM

Oh My God, Russians are coming? Russians are coming ??

Jamis Banda Tuesday, 29 November 2011 11:01 AM

The questionis, who didn't come to explore OIL in Sri Lanka?? There is a saying all 'Smelly Air' but no "Raw Material'...

Dinecg Tuesday, 29 November 2011 12:51 PM

The only oil we have is on the coconut tree... can the russians climb them is the question??!!

Ziyard Tuesday, 29 November 2011 01:13 PM

Now Oil,Gas all found when the elections come. now Russians coming to check whether oil or gas basins under the sea. wait and see next elections time they found gold basin also.

R.Dias Tuesday, 29 November 2011 01:18 PM

DIG...DIG....DIG.....DIG.....THERE IS NO OIL IN THE GULF OF MANNAR...... DO YOU THINK MADAM. BANDARANAIKE & PRESIDENT JAYAWARDENA WAS IN EFFECTIVE.....

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Russians here to look for oil

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