Now gas and oil deposit exploration in Chilaw!

By Malik Gunatilleke

A possible gas and oil deposit in Chilaw has been explored by three officials from the Petroleum Ministry in Cairo on invitation by Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzie who recently had a meeting with the Egyptian Petroleum Minister.

Minister Fowzie told The Sunday Times that on his visit to Egypt he had discussed the possibility of this gas deposit in Chilaw with the Egyptian Petroleum Minister who agreed to send three officials to inspect the site.

He said there is a strong possibility that the three officials would prepare a favourable proposal which would be immediately presented to the Cabinet. The Egyptian officials have made a three-day trip to Sri Lanka to inspect the deposit in Chilaw. Meanwhile a suspected gas leak has also been detected in the area.

Minister Fowzie said that along with the offshore oil blocks being explored in the Mannar basin, this potential onshore gas and oil deposit would help the Government greatly reduce domestic oil and gas prices.

The Government has already released tenders for the drilling of oil blocks in the Mannar basin while the gas and oil exploration in Chilaw is due to begin once the proposal has been made and the necessary data collected and presented to the Cabinet.