Dhaka, May 24 -- Bangladesh has launched an international bidding round for offshore oil and gas exploration in 27 blocks in the Bay of Bengal, offering a series of incentives, including gas export opportunities, tax benefits and duty exemptions, in a renewed effort to attract foreign investment and strengthen the country's energy security.

State-owned Petrobangla on Sunday invited international tenders for exploration in 12 shallow-sea blocks and 15 deep-sea blocks under the Offshore Bidding Round 2026.

The move comes as Bangladesh continues to grapple with mounting energy shortages and growing dependence on imported fuel despite resolving maritime boundary disputes with neighbouring countries more than a decade ago.

According to Petr...