Colombo (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Gazprom, a Russian oil firm, has held discussions with visiting Sri Lanka president Mahinda Rajapaksa on exploring for oil off the coast of the Indian Ocean island. Alexey Miller, chairman of Gazproms Management Committee, had met President Rajapaksa Monday, the oil firm said in a statement.

"The parties discussed prospects for Russian-Sri Lankan cooperation in the oil and gas sector. In particular, they focused on Gazproms possible participation in the development of offshore hydrocarbon deposits in Sri Lanka."

Cairn India (BSE:532792), a private oil firm, has already bought one oil exploration block off Mannar in Sri Lanka's north western coast through an open auction.


Source:
Business in Asia Today - Feb.10, 2010
published by Asia Pulse