As many as forty participants, representing leading international oil and gas companies such as ExxonMobil, Shell, Marathon Oil and BHP Billiton attended the “Road Show”, organized by the Ministry of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources of Sri Lanka on 17th September 2007 in Houston Texas to promote bids for off-shore oil exploration in the Mannar Basin.

Following the Road show, the Sri Lanka delegation led by Hon. A. H. M. Fowzie, Minister of Petroleum & Petroleum Resources Development and the Data-Room operated by the consultants appointed by the Ministry were busy in conducting one-to-one meetings with executives of many oil firms, that are interested in the bid round.

Sri Lanka, during the initial round, has offered three blocks with a total area of about 11,000 sq km. and according to the Hon. Minister, nearly 200 companies around the world have shown interest. The Road Show in Houston was the second in the series, while the first one was held in London on 10th September. The third - the last in the series - is scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur on 24th September.

While invitation for submission of bids is already on, bids will be closed on 31st January 2008. The Ministry expects to announce the winners and award contracts by end April 2008. More details on the Mannar Basin Bid Round are available on www.prds-srilanka.com.