Cairn Lanka (Pvt) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cairn India Limited, has made a gas discovery in the CLPL-Dorado-91H/1z well, drilled in a water depth of 1354m, located in the block SL 2007-01-001, Mannar Basin, Sri Lanka. Cairn Lanka (Pvt) Limited is the Operator and has a 100% participating interest in the block.

A gross 25m hydrocarbon column in a sandstone between the depths of 3043.8-3068.7m MD has been interpreted from log and MDT data to be predominantly gas bearing with some additional liquid hydrocarbon potential. Further drilling will be required to establish the commerciality of the discovery.

The CLPL-Dorado-91H/1z well is the first well to be drilled in Sri Lanka in 30 years and the first well to discover hydrocarbons in the country.

Cairn Energy Plc has a 52.11% holding in Cairn India. Following the completion of the Proposed part sale of shareholding in Cairn India Limited to Vedanta Resources plc Cairn Energy Plc will retain an approximate 22% shareholding in Cairn India.

Simon Thomson, chief executive, Cairn Energy Plc said: "Cairn is delighted with this frontier exploration discovery, the first well in Cairn India's three well drilling programme in Sri Lanka."

Tags: Cairn Energy PLC