Dhaka, May 24 -- An international tender has been invited for offshore oil and gas exploration. Under the Offshore Bidding Round 2026, a total of 26 offshore blocks have been opened for bidding, including 11 shallow-water blocks and 15 deep-water blocks. Bids can be submitted until November 30.

Various details regarding the bidding round were formally presented at a press conference held on Sunday at the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said the tender was invited swiftly as part of the government's election manifesto commitments and its 180-day action plan. Commenting that energy security had not been properly ensured in the past, the minister said agreemen...