Cairn Lanka announces second exploration

Cairn Lanka has notified the government of Sri Lanka of its intention to enter the second phase of exploration. This announcement was made following the successful completion of the first phase of exploration.

Cairn Lanka’s successful drilling programme - the first in Sri Lanka in 30 years - has established a working petroleum system in the frontier Mannar Basin.

Cairn Lanka (Private) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cairn India Limited, has successfully completed the first phase of the exploration campaign in Sri Lanka Block SL-2007-01-001.

The exploration programme involved the acquisition, processing and interpretation of 1,753 sqkm of 3D seismic data and a three well deep water drilling programme. The seismic programme exceeded the phase I commitment by 20% and the drilling programme exceeded the drilling depth commitment by 50%.

This programme resulted in two successive gas and condensate discoveries: the CLPL-Dorado-91H/1z well and, the CLPL-Barracuda-1G/1 well. The third well, CLPL-Dorado North 1-82K/1 was plugged and abandoned as a dry hole on 14th December, 2011.

The operations were conducted safely, in accordance with the highest global standards, within schedule, budget and in compliance with Sri Lankan regulations.

The support of the Government of Sri Lanka and an effective partnership with the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka, were instrumental in ensuring the successful completion of the first phase of the exploration programme.