Industrial Seismic Surveys Planning
Compiled by Acoustic Ecology Institute, Santa Fe, NM
Most recent revision: September 17, 2004
Contact: airguns@acousticecology.org, 505-466-1879
(Be sure to use arrows on tabs to right to see all sections)
North Atlantic
9/17/2004 4:22:00 PM
North Sea: (Talisman) New Fields Under Development
 August 28
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15896

Talisman Energy has announced the C$770 million (Pounds Sterling 320 million)
development of the Tweedsmuir and Tweedsmuir South oilfields approximately
100 miles northeast of Aberdeen. Tweedsmuir was discovered in 1983, although
it was the Talisman appraisal program in 2002 that discovered the main part of
the field. Tweedsmuir South was discovered by Talisman in 2003 and appraised
in 2004.

Located in UKCS Block 21/1aN, Talisman estimates the fields contain gross
reserves of 71 mmboe (87% liquids, 13% natural gas), which are classified as
"probable" prior to development approval. It is expected that approximately half
of these reserves will be transferred to the proven category in the 2004 reserves
evaluation process with additional reserves transferred as the fields are
developed and brought onstream
Norway: (Marathon) Development Plan for Alvheim Field (approval
4Q 2004)
 Rigzone august 04
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15192

Marathon Oil Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary Marathon
Petroleum Norge AS, and its Alvheim project partners have submitted the plan
for development and operation (PDO) of the Alvheim Field to the Norwegian
Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. Approval of the PDO is anticipated during the
fourth quarter of this year and first Alvheim production is expected in early 2007.
Norway: Shell Hires WG to do survey
 August 04
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15389

Norske Shell has engaged Western Geco to acquire 3-D seismic data in PL 326 in
the Vøring Basin offshore Norway, where the company recently was awarded
operatorship in the 18th Round.
Norway: Statoil, WesternGeco establish industry's first long-term
reservoir monitoring program
 http://os.pennnet.com/articles/article_display.cfm?Section=ONART
&Category=TOPST&PUBLICATION_ID=9&ARTICLE_ID=210738


08/25/04
WesternGeco has signed an agreement with Statoil ASA for the industry's first
long-term seismic reservoir monitoring program. Through this agreement,
WesternGeco becomes Statoil's preferred contractor for time-lapse seismic
surveys over the Norne and Heidrun fields in the Norwegian Sea for five- and sixyear periods, respectively.

Future monitor surveys using Q-Technology on the Halten and Dønna Terrasse
will follow the Q-on-Q surveys over the Norne field in 2001, 2003, and 2004, and
the Heidrun field in 2001 and 2004.

For these surveys, all Q-Marine seismic acquisition parameters will be identical to
the previous surveys, giving the best possible time-lapse (4D) survey results to
detect fluid movement for reservoir management and production. Q-Marine
active streamer steering allows accurate positioning of streamers for reliable
repeat surveys, the company says.

"This agreement will enable both organizations to better plan for the surveys,
which are crucial to Statoil's ongoing production of these fields," Roar Bekker,
manager, WesternGeco Europe, says.
Norway-UK cooperation moving forward

Good progress continues to be made with a UK-Norwegian treaty on
cooperation in the North Sea, British energy minister Stephen Timms told
a press conference at ONS today.

http://www.ons.no/modules/module_123/templates/news_template_detail_1.asp
?strParams=1%231%233%232%23%2D1%236&iCategoryId=2&iInfoId=217&iM
enuRoot2Id=&strMenuHeader=&MId=&reload_coolmenus

8/25/2004 4:56:36 PM

British energy minister Stephen Timms and Norway’s petroleum and energy
minister, Thorhild Widvey at ONS 2004.

Good progress continues to be made with a UK-Norwegian treaty on
cooperation in the North Sea, British energy minister Stephen Timms told a press
conference at ONS today.

He said that discussions between officials on the mechanics of an agreement
were pretty much on target as envisaged when a framework deal was signed by
the two countries last year.

Mr Timms met the press with Norway’s petroleum and energy minister,
Thorhild Widvey, after they had addressed future challenges for their respective
continental shelves at the ONS conference. Ms Widvey noted that good contacts
have been maintained between the two ministries since an assessment of the
benefits of cross-boundary collaboration was presented at ONS in 2002.

"I hope we can continue to strengthen this cooperation in future," she said.

Although work with the treaty is on track, Mr Timms admitted that there was a
window of opportunity for securing some of the potential benefits from crossborder cooperation.

He welcomed the good progress being made by the Ormen Lange field
development and associated Langeled gas pipeline, which would be very
important for UK gas supplies.
Denmark: new licensing commencing
 Offshore, August 2004
 http://os.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=CURRI
&ARTICLE_ID=209845&VERSION_NUM=1&p=9
 Some time soon, DEA also expects to open Denmark's 6th licensing
round, covering unlicensed areas west of 6° 15' eastern longitude.
The agency sees best prospects for future finds in the productive
chalk reservoirs in the Central Graben, but also in lesser-known
plays in Jur-assic and Triassic sandstone. In its report, it cites
Mærsk's attempt last year to prove hydrocarbons in the Triassic
with the Olga-1X well south of the Kraka field.
Nova Scotia: Marathon to Plug and Abandon Deepwater Exploration
Well Offshore
 PR Newswire (August 26, 2004)
 http://os.pennnet.com/news/display_news_story.cfm?Section=WIR
EN&Category=HOME&NewsID=106125

HOUSTON, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Marathon Canada Petroleum ULC,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO), today
announced that it did not encounter commercial quantities of hydrocarbons at the
Crimson F-81 deepwater wildcat well offshore Nova Scotia. The Crimson well is
located on the Annapolis block, Exploration License 2377, and 211 miles (340
kilometers) offshore southeast of Halifax in 6,861 feet (2,092 meters) of water.
The well, which was drilled to a total depth of 21,903 feet, (6,676 meters) will be
permanently plugged and abandoned.


Marathon and its partners will analyze data from the Crimson well to help
determine next steps regarding the Annapolis discovery made in 2002, as well as
the adjacent Cortland (Exploration License 2410) and Empire (Exploration License
2411) blocks.


Marathon holds a 30-percent interest in the Annapolis block and serves as
operator. The remaining interests are held by EnCana Corporation (NYSE: ECA;
TSX) with 26 percent, Norsk Hydro Canada Oil and Gas Inc. with 25 percent, and
Murphy Oil Company Limited (NYSE: MUR) with 19 percent. In addition,
Marathon is operator of the Empire and Cortland blocks with a 50 percent and 75
percent interest, respectively. Other interest owners in the Empire block are
Murphy Oil Company Limited and Norsk Hydro Canada Oil and Gas Inc., each
with a 25 percent interest. Murphy Oil Company Limited holds the remaining 25
percent interest in the Cortland block. The Empire and Cortland blocks are
adjacent to the Annapolis block.


Marathon Oil Corporation is an energy company engaged in the worldwide
exploration, production and transportation of crude oil and natural gas. Through
its 62 percent interest in Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC, the company also
refines, markets and transports petroleum products in the United States. For
more information about Marathon, visit the Company's Web site at
http://www.marathon.com .


This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning possible future
exploration activities on the Annapolis and adjacent Empire and Cortland blocks.
These statements are based on a number of assumptions, including, among
others, presently known data concerning size, economic recoverability,
production experience and other operating considerations. In accordance with
"safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
Marathon Oil Corporation has included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2003, and in subsequent Forms 10-Q and 8-K,
cautionary language identifying other important factors, though not necessarily
all such factors, that could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those
set forth in the forward-looking statements.


SOURCE Marathon Oil Corporation

-0- 08/26/2004

/CONTACT: media relations, Paul Weeditz, +1-713-296-3910, or Susan

Richardson, +1-713-296-3915, or investor relations, Ken Matheny,

+1-713-296-4114, or Howard Thill, +1-713-296-4140, all of Marathon Oil

Corporation/

/Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/133204.html /

/Web site: http://www.marathon.com /

(MRO ECA MUR)


CO: Marathon Oil Corporation; Marathon Canada Petroleum ULC; EnCana

Corporation; Murphy Oil Company Limited; Norsk Hydro Canada Oil and Gas

Inc.

ST: Texas, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Arkansa
Nova Scotia: Major new 2D Survey Examines Entire NS Basin
 Offshore Magazine, Sept 04
 http://os.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=CURRI
&ARTICLE_ID=211972&VERSION_NUM=1&p=9

A recent survey off Nova Scotia has yielded more than 3,500 line km of new,
ultra-deep 2D seismic data that could dramatically alter perception of the
province's offshore.

According to GX Technology, NovaSpan is the first program of its kind
covering offshore Nova Scotia and was specifically designed to provide a basinwide understanding of the regional geology offshore.

If GXT is right about the value of this survey, NovaSpan will help geologists
understand the overall architecture of the Scotian basin, which could significantly
change industry's view of the region.

"NovaSpan is really trying to answer the sorts of questions geologists get very
excited about," Larry Scott, GXT's vice president of integrated seismic solutions,
says. "We want to determine what happened millions of years ago, not just to
find the container where oil lies today."

GXT is not doing a conventional 2D spec survey, which is a mapping type spread. "We're
really trying to answer some fairly fundamental geologic questions," Scott says. The objective
is an understanding of the overall basin architecture and how it evolved.

NovaSpan is a framework for painting the bigger picture. The program could help
to explain why drilling results have been disappointing in some areas. "NovaSpan
will help us to understand if petroleum was generated and to infer where, in
general, it would have gone," Scott says.

The complex geology off Nova Scotia presents imaging challenges. Drilling results
have been disappointing, but that fact should be placed in context. It is still early
days, in exploration terms, for Atlantic Canada.

Piers Gormly, vice president of marketing, draws a parallel between the
exploration history of offshore Nova Scotia and the early days of the North Sea.
"It was many years and many dry holes before the North Sea came onstream,"
he says.

Quite possibly, the promise of data generated by NovaSpan will encourage
operators to stay the course off Nova Scotia and to uncover heretofore hidden
reserves.

MUCH MORE IN ARTICLE, SEE LINK
Gulf of Mexico
9/17/2004 4:22:00 PM
Mexico: Gov’t Scales Back Energy Reforms
 August 25
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15859

The Mexican government said Wednesday that it will scale back plans to reform
the energy sector, giving up on sweeping changes that require constitutional
amendments which opposition lawmakers have repeatedly blocked.

"We have to acknowledge reality and understand that agreements cannot be
reached," Energy Secretary Fernando Elizondo said, in comments published
Wednesday in several newspapers. Instead, he added, the administration of
President Vicente Fox has decided to push reforms that do not require
congressional approval, such as changing the sector's state-controlled regulatory
system. "We've been working carefully, studying and defining the process that
we are going to follow to package the reforms that we believe are feasible,"
Elizondo said.

"There is a series of regular legislative measures that do not require
constitutional reform and which could be adopted to make progress," he noted.
The energy secretary said although the less ambitious reforms may not resolve
the problem entirely, they do represent progress.

The opposition-controlled Congress has repeatedly rejected constitutional
changes that would give private capital more access to the state-run energy
sector. Mexico, the world's eighth-largest oil exporter and among the top
suppliers of the United States, lacks refining capacity to meet domestic demand
for gasoline and diesel, forcing it to import 25 percent of its annual fuel
consumption. The country pumped 3.37 million barrels of oil per day last year,
just below its maximum output, and has proven reserves of 14.12 billion barrels,
or enough to last another 11 years.

Proven reserves of natural gas, on the other hand, total 20.7 trillion cubic feet,
but constraints on investment stemming from the heavy tax burden on the staterun oil company Pemex have forced the country to import 30 percent of its total
consumption. Elizondo expressed hope that recent agreements on public finance
will translate into reducing taxes on Pemex, which is bound by law to turn over
about 60 percent of its revenue to the government.

The Fox administration would like to see Pemex reinvest a greater portion of its
profits in a sector marked by underinvestment and an inability to meet domestic
demand. The opposition has blocked proposed changes to the Pemex revenue
stream and efforts to open the oil and gas sector to foreign companies.

Nonetheless, Elizondo said the Fox administration intends to "take advantage of
the consensus that exists on some issues to make progress" now that could lead
to greater reforms in the future. "Agreements can be reached to make significant
advances in the sector," he said.

Although Fox's reform plans called for opening the energy sector to private
investors, he has insisted that neither Pemex nor the country's main state-run
electric energy companies would be privatized. His plans nonetheless have been
stalled in the opposition-controlled Congress since August 2002. Elizondo echoed
the administration's pledge to not sell off the country's energy resources or
industry components. The government's plan "has never been to privatize" the
sector, he said.

He did warn, however, that Mexico will face an electricity crunch and increasingly
dwindling reserves unless it modernizes the sector, noting that the existing
mechanisms for industry investment are beginning to accumulate debt and
cannot be used indefinitely. Larger debt payments are scheduled to begin around
2008, he said.
US: GOM celebrates new finds
 http://os.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=CURRI

&ARTICLE_ID=209846&VERSION_NUM=1&p=9
Offshore Magazine, August 2004

The deepwater area of the Gulf of Mexico continues to rapidly unfold as the major
domestic energy source for the US, said Chris Oynes, the US Minerals
Management Service Gulf of Mexico Regional Director, in revealing the details of
eight new discoveries from the first half of 2004.

"While several new deepwater projects came on production in the Gulf in 2003,
these eight new discoveries indicate that the province is still developing at a brisk
pace," Oynes said. (more, including chart of 8 new discoveries)
US: OCS Lease Sale 192, Bids Announced August 18
 http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket
.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-16070.htm
 http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.
gov/2004/pdf/04-16070.pdf
US: Spring 04 Exploration Plan FONSIs/SEAs

July, 2004: Fed Register: MMS released SEAs and FONSIs for 7 new exploration
plans in the Gulf of Mexico. Letter dated May 27, included FONSIs and SEAs
issued from January to March.
South America
9/17/2004 4:22:00 PM
Venezuela (PVDSA) Creates Offshore Gas Organization
 July 22
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=14978

Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA has created the Organización Costa Afuera
(Offshore Organization), to develop gas projects in Venezuelan waters, PDVSA
said in a statement Wednesday. PDVSA's exploration and production VP Félix
Rodríguez made the announcement during a conference in Caracas, attended by
local and international hydrocarbons companies.

PDVSA has a "great interest" in stimulating exploration and production projects
in the country, with the participation of foreign companies and local industries,
Rodríguez said. PDVSA aims to make the country self-sufficient in gas by 2007
and make it a 'world power' in gas production in the next seven years, Rodríguez
said.

The main offshore gas projects currently being developed by PDVSA in
partnership with private companies are the Deltana platform off the Delta
Amacuro coast, Mariscal Sucre off the country's northeastern tip, and the Gulf of
Paria, which lies between Venezuela and Trinidad. PDVSA will invest US$26bn in
its 2004-2009 oil and gas exploration and production plan to drill 3,800 wells and
recondition another 5,500 wells, Rodríguez said, adding PDVSA is currently
operating 91 drilling rigs.

PDVSA aims to establish new exploration zones in areas close to its main fields,
which means the company plans to start studies "immediately" near the
Tomoporo and Franquera fields in the west and the El Tejero and Cotoperí fields
in the east, Rodríguez said.

The new organization will be based in Cumaná, on the Caribbean coast in Sucre state
Venezuela: govt finalizing terms of natural gas bidding
 August 27

http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15923

Major oil firms are still waiting for the Venezuelan government to finalize terms of
a natural gas bidding round off the western coast of the country, industry sources
said Thursday.

The oil ministry had hoped to offer seven natural gas development blocks in and
near the Gulf of Venezuela this month, but it is still finalizing the terms of the
bidding round.

"The Gulf of Venezuela is something we are interested in," said a source at
Norway's Statoil (STO). "If we are allowed to participate, we will."

He didn't know when the oil ministry plans to announce details of the bidding
round. The ministry wasn't available for comment. The ministry has delayed the
bidding round a number of times, but with Venezuela's 148 trillion cubic feet of
natural gas reserves open for private investment, interested companies are
willing to wait.
Venezuela: (Chevron/Texaco) New Block Being Developed 2004-9
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15248

Block 2 offshore Venezuela/Trinidad border, being developed by Chevron/Texaco
and ConocoPhillips, to be developed through 2004-2009.

Largest of the five blocks is Block 3, won by Chevron-Texaco.
Columbia: (ExxonMobil/Ecopetrol/Petrobas) Exploration Deal; new
surveys and new electromagnetic survey technique
 August 26
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15897

Exxon Mobil together with Ecopetrol and Petrobras have signed the first
exploration and production contract with Colombia's National Hydrocarbon
Agency (ANH) to begin exploration activities offshore Colombia. The agreement
covers the 11-million-acre Tayrona block, off Colombia's northern coast in the
Caribbean Sea. ExxonMobil has a 40 percent interest in the block with Petrobras
also having 40 percent and Ecopetrol having 20 percent.

During the initial 18-month phase of the exploratory program, the participating
companies will continue data acquisition and analysis, which includes reprocessing 2D seismic and acquiring 3D seismic data. In addition, ExxonMobil will
utilize its industry-leading Remote Reservoir Resistivity Mapping (R3M)
technology, which is a proprietary electromagnetic survey technique that
ExxonMobil has used in other offshore areas of the world. FIND OUT MORE!!!

"ExxonMobil is very excited about bringing our global expertise and technologies,
including our R3M technology, to the project," said Tim Cejka, president of
ExxonMobil Exploration Company. "We are equally proud to be part of this
historic opportunity to return to the Upstream sector in Colombia." ExxonMobil
has operated through affiliates in Colombia since the early 1900's. For the past
50 years, ExxonMobil has marketed and sold gasoline, fuels and lubricants in
Colombia under its Esso and Mobil brands. It has also participated in exploration
and production activities, operated a coal mining business, and imported and sold
chemicals for industrial uses for many years.
Trinidad and Tobago: (Petro-Canada) New Exploration Blocks

Rigzone August 04

LNG reserves:

PetroCanada has concluded contractual neotiations with Trinidad and Tobago's
government on two offshore exploration blocks and is in advanced negotiations
on a third, company CEO Ron Brenneman said in a conference call. PetroCanada
is in discussions for production-sharing contracts of blocks 1a, 1b and 22.
Brazil: EIS Ordered for Wells Already Drilled
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=16116
 September 03, 04

Brazil's federal energy company Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) will have to carry out
environmental impact studies (EIS) on all wells it has drilled in the Campos basin,
O Globo news service reported. The need for the EIS is part of requirements
made by the federal environmental protection agency Ibama when it signed a
conduct agreement with Petrobras last month, the news service reported.

Licensing and environmental impact studies of assets already operating are
common in Brazil, as environmental legislation dates back to the early 1980s, but
many projects started up before then. The Campos basin is Brazil's largest oil
producing district, and accounts for over 80% of Petrobras' 1.5 million barrels a
day domestic production of oil and natural gas liquids.
Brasil: (Petrobras) Offshore Field Contains High-Quality Crude
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15994


8/31/04
Petrobras said Tuesday that a recently discovered oil field off the country's
northern coast contains 76 million barrels of high-quality light crude. The SEAL
100 block, which will be named the Piranema Field in the future, is located in the
Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the northeastern state of Sergipe.

Given the location of the deposits, industry analysts expect a two- or threeyear wait before the oil reaches market, since extraction will require the
construction of either fixed or floating platforms and a network of pipelines.
Peru: (Petro-Tech) Exploration and Production Contract Signed
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=16117
 09/04/04

Peru's state-owned hydrocarbons investment corporation Perupetro signed an
exploration and production contract Wednesday with Petro-Tech Peruana for the
Z-33 offshore block, the mines and energy ministry said in a statement.

Minimum investment is US$22mn, with which Petro-Tech will have to
interpret 1,500km of 2D seismic and 150 sq. km. of 3D seismic, and drill
exploratory wells between the third and fifth years of the contract, Perupetro
chairman Antonio Cueto said. The total exploration period is 5-7 years. Z-33 lies
off the coast of Lima, Cañete and Chincha provinces, and the contract represents
the first time it has been explored.

Petro-Tech, which is 100% owned by Houston-based Petro-Tech International,
has previously explored the Z-2B and Z-6 offshore blocks further north.
Perupetro has signed five exploration contracts so far this year and two more
companies are interested in signing contracts for the Marañón basin, Cueto said.
Guyane: Entire Offshore Area is One Permit


http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=16003
8/31/04

Northern Petroleum PLC said it acquired a 1.25 pct interest in a permit covering
the whole of the offshore territory of Guyane, previously French Guiana, from
privately owned Wessex International. The permit covers about 65,000 square
kilometres. Hardman Resources Ltd is the operator and holds a 97.5 pct of the
permit.
Africa-Atlantic
9/17/2004 4:22:00 PM
Angola: (Exxon-Mobil) Major Offshore Development Moving Ahead
 August 04
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15484

First development (Kizomba A) in block 15 is beginning production, two more to
come.

ExxonMobil and its co-venturers have announced 38 discoveries in Angola,
seventeen of which are on Block 15, a world-class development with the potential
to recover about 4.5 billion oil-equivalent barrels (gross). ExxonMobil holds
interests in five offshore deepwater blocks covering more than 4.5 million gross
acres with a resource base now estimated at more than 11.5 billion oil-equivalent
barrels (gross).

The entire coast of Angola is divided into lease blocks

Map: http://www.rigzone.com/images/news/library/maps/3/1333_250x193.jpg
Equitorial Guinea: Coup of Pres Possibly Aided by US, Britain, Spain,
Foiled by France?
 http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=121275
 August 29, 2004, Mail and Guardian (UK)

One of Mark Thatcher's key business partners has turned 'state witness' and is
alleged to have given dramatic new evidence to South African police investigating
Thatcher's role in the alleged coup to overthrow the President of Equatorial
Guinea.

The revelation comes as speculation mounts over what British and United States
officials knew about the alleged plot and when. Insiders claim that officials in
both countries were aware of a planned attempt to topple the leader of the oilrich west African state, although both governments have denied this claim.

Thatcher's business partner, former crack mercenary pilot Crause Steyl, is
believed to have handed over details of Thatcher's investment in an aviation firm
that had contracts with Simon Mann, the old Etonian and former SAS officer in
jail in Zimbabwe.

The former Prime Minister's son was arrested in Cape Town last week over
accusations that he helped finance the alleged coup that aimed to overthrow
President Obiang and replace him with the exiled Opposition leader Severo Moto.

The Observer, which first revealed details of Thatcher's alleged involvement in
the coup last month, has been told by South African sources that Steyl
accompanied Moto to the Canary Islands on the eve of the day the alleged putsch
was to happen.

…..

Many in the intelligence community are asking whether a hidden hand was played
by Western powers. Some suggest American, Spanish and British interests
offered their backing to exiled Moto. On the other side were the French, who
believed a successful coup would have cemented US domination in the country,
where US oil giant Exxon Mobil already enjoys the most important drilling
concessions. British intelligence sources have suggested that the French learned
of the plot and helped to sabotage it.

Spanish intelligence sources have made similar claims. Former Spanish Prime
Minister José María Aznar was a close ally of the exiled Moto, who lived in Madrid.
Mann, who was found guilty on Friday in a Zimbabwean court of attempting to
buy arms for the botched coup, confessed to Spanish involvement in plot.

The Spanish government has denied this claim. But it has emerged that earlier
this year two Spanish warships left the Nato naval base based near Cádiz. One of
the frigates had on board 500 elite troops and the soldiers are reported to have
been told they were heading for Equatorial Guinea.

Nick du Toit, one of Mann's alleged accomplices arrested in Equatorial Guinea,
told the country's court last week: 'The Spanish government would recognise the
Moto government and it had the blessing of some American higher-up politicians.'
Moto has dismissed the coup plot as 'complete fiction'.
Equitorial Guinea: (Noble) New Block to be Explored
 9/10/04, Offshore
 http://os.pennnet.com/articles/article_display.cfm?Section=O
NART&Category=TOPST&PUBLICATION_ID=9&ARTICLE_ID=2
11672

Noble Energy Inc. wholly owned subsidiary Noble Energy EG Ltd. has acquired
an interest in a production sharing contract (PSC) with the Republic of Equatorial
Guinea covering block "I" offshore Bioko Island. The Ministry of Mines, Industry,
and Energy approved the Deed of Assignment on September 1.

Under the terms of the PSC and the Deed of Assignment, Noble Energy will be
the technical operator with a 40% working interest. Noble Energy's partner on
block "I" is the Atlas Group with 60%, who will be the administrative operator.
GEPetrol, the National Oil Company of Equatorial Guinea, will have a 5% carried
interest once commerciality has been determined.

Block "I" is adjacent to block "O", which was awarded to Noble Energy in April
2004. Noble Energy is technical operator of block "O" with a 45% working
interest. The company also holds a 33.75% working interest in the Alba field,
which contains estimated gross resources of 1 Bboe. Block "I" covers 806 sq km
and is in 500 m of water. To date, GESeis has shot one 3D seismic survey.

Charles Davidson, Noble Energy's chairman, president, and CEO, said, "Several
substantial leads have already been identified on Block 'I,' and we expect the prospectivity of
this acreage will be enhanced after we process the recently acquired 3D seismic later this
year."
Libya: First Licenses Since US Sanctions Lifted
 Rigzone, 8/16/04
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15598

Libya has begun its first upstream exploration licensing round since U.S.
sanctions were lifted, offering concessions in 15 areas both on- and offshore.

The first open bid round will close January 10, 2005, according to information
on the National Oil Corporation's (NOC) website. Final agreements are expected
to be signed later that month.
Namibia: (Energy Africa): Two Small Companies Make Plans to
Develop Offshore Field Abandoned by Large Companies
 Rigzone, 8/18/04
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15673

With world energy prices climbing and supplies tight, two relatively small
companies are pursuing plans to develop the offshore Kudu natural gas fields that
industry giants have abandoned.

In a joint $800 million plan, Energy Africa, a subsidiary of the Irish oil and gas
company Tullow Oil, and National Petroleum Corp. of Namibia, or Namcor, would
develop the fields.

If the investment comes to fruition after an 18-month feasibility study, it would
be by far the largest in Namibia's history. Gas would come ashore in March 2009,
and electricity generation would begin four months later. (gas is planned to fire
electric plant for local use and export)

It is not unusual in the energy business for small or independent companies to
see opportunity in fields shunned by the major players. The Kudu fields were
discovered by Chevron 30 years ago, and, with Royal Dutch/Shell Group as a
partner, Chevron did much of the initial exploration. Energy Africa was a minority
partner. After the three companies had spent about $200 million, Shell sold its
stake in 2002, saying the reserves, estimated to be at least 36.8 billion cubic
meters, or 1.3 trillion cubic feet, were not large enough to justify liquefying the
gas for export. Chevron's successor, ChevronTexaco, pulled out last November,
saying the reserves did not fit its West Africa strategy. The project was left with
Energy Africa, which, together with its Namibian partners, expects to generate
enough power to light up Namibia and to export a substantial surplus to South
Africa.

The plan has been hailed in Namibia for its potential to ease expected power
shortages. Namibia is a net importer of electricity, and South African demand is
expected to exceed supply by 2007. If the power station were built, it would be
the first in southern Africa in 20 years, said Nickey Iyambo, the Namibian
minister of mines and energy.
Nigeria: (Syntroleum) Half-Million Acres to be Delineated and
Possibly Explored
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=16045
 September 2, 2004

The Aje Field is the first of a number of discovered, partially delineated oil and
gas fields in West Africa that we are pursuing on behalf of Syntroleum," said
Joseph Bruso, President of Sovereign Oil & Gas in Houston.
Nigeria: (NNPC, Shell) National Oil Co Moves to Develop Major Fields

Rigzone, August 04

NNPC to develop 6 fields in partnership with multinational oil companies (Royal
Dutch/Shell Corp. (RD,SC) unit Shell Petroleum Development Company of
Nigeria, Eni SpA (E) unit Nigerian Agip Oil Company, ChevronTexaco Corp. (CVX),
and Total SA (TOT). Funsho Kupolokun, also group managing director of NNPC,
said subsidiary Nigerian Petroleum Development Co. will be the operator of the
fields. The fields have a total of 457 million barrels in reserves, and will produce
up to 130,000 barrels a day. Last month, NNPC launched a program aimed at
raising its operations to the level of world-class national oil companies, such as
Statoil of Norway. Part of the objectives of the program is to make NNPC a viable
oil producing company that can acquire and develop blocks anywhere in the
world, Kupolokun said. State-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. plans to
develop six oil fields off Nigeria with multinational oil companies, the chief
executive said Monday.
Northern Pacific
9/17/2004 4:22:00 PM
Japan/China Competition for EEZ resources
 August 27
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15900

t soon will be two months since Japan launched a geological study in its exclusive
economic zone in the East China Sea, exploring whether there is a natural gas or
oil field in the area as such resources are valuable for energy resource-poor
Japan. (The probe by the agency will be concluded in October. But it will take
several more months to analyze the seabed.) But in the face of concerns over
Chinese exploration in the Chunxiao gas field near the EEZ claimed by Japan, in
addition to profitability issues and other concerns over the exploration, it is
unclear whether the research will lead to the full-scale development of the
potential riches.

In August 2003, the Chinese government concluded contracts with oil
development companies in China and other countries, including Britain and the
United States, in the gas field located about five kilometers at the nearest point
from the EEZ boundary claimed by Japan. They are expected to start developing
the field next year.

Japan is concerned that China will be able to extract resources from Japan's side
of the EEZ using the Chunxiao facilities since the resources straddle the EEZ
underground.

According to a 1994 estimate by the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry,
deposits of oil and natural gas in the Japan side of the East China Sea amount to
500 million kiloliters in crude oil volume. This figure is 10 times as large as
Japan's crude oil stockpile and is equivalent to the country's oil consumption for
two years.

According to the International Energy Agency, Japan's self-sufficiency ratio in
the energy supply is 4 percent, considerably lower than the 66 percent of the
United States or Germany's 25 percent. As Economy, Trade and Industry Minister
Shoichi Nakagawa said, energy resources in the East China Sea are "incredibly
important" for Japan.

But a number of obstacles will have to be cleared before full-scale development
of the East China Sea resources can take place. First, Japan has yet to conduct
even wildcat-drilling in the area since China does not recognize the EEZ boundary
and says it also has the right to develop resources on Japan's side of the EEZ
boundary. Therefore, the amount of resources in the East China Sea is not
known. It also still is unknown whether the resources in the sea are mainly
natural gas or oil, so it is difficult to judge whether the development of the
resources would be profitable.

Even if it is confirmed that there are considerable deposits in the area, there is
the problem of transportation costs. Natural gas is transported mainly through
pipelines. But piping gas to Japan from the area would not be economically
feasible because of the distance involved and the deep oceanic trench in the
area. It might be possible for Japan to sell the gas in China using a pipeline
already constructed by China. But an industry source said this might not be
economically feasible because of the low prices offered on the Chinese market.


Oil, on the other hand, could easily be transported by tanker. It also would be
easier to find buyers for oil than for natural gas since the market for oil has
already been established.

In Japan, several oil development companies, including Japan Petroleum
Exploration Co. and Teikoku Oil Co., have been asking the government since the
1960s to let them conduct wildcat-drilling or development of the area. But the
government has not approved the firms' requests for fear that wildcat-drilling
could incur China's wrath. "We can't foresee how China would react if we allowed
the firms to wildcat. We need to achieve a consensus on giving them a green
light," a source close to the government said.


With the start of the geological survey, Nakagawa seems ready to allow wildcatdrilling in the area. But negotiations remain unpromising. The probe by the
agency will be concluded in October. But it will take several more months to
analyze the seabed.
Phillipines, China to Jointly Explore South China Sea
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=16074

09/02/04

The Philippines and China have agreed to jointly study certain areas in the South
China Sea for potential oil resources, the Philippines' Department of Energy said.
Energy Secretary Vincent Perez said an agreement for "joint marine seismic
undertaking" has been signed by the Philippine National Oil Co (PNOC) and China
National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) during President Gloria's ongoing state visit
to China. The agreement involves a three-year joint research by the two
companies for potential petroleum resource in the area.
South Pacific
9/17/2004 4:22:00 PM
Indonesia: (Unocal) Deepwater Development, new surveys
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15231
 8/2/04

New field being developed by subsidiary, Unocal Rapak Ltd and Unocal Makassar
Ltd in deepwater offshore Indonesia. Appraisal drilling was recently done;
targeted for 2007 in partnership with Eni, first phase of the Gendalo Field; final
engineering plan now being put together; will start in 2007 “pending govt
approvals.”

Gehem-Ranggass joint development on a 2003 discovery that will be jointly
developed with the nearby Ranggas field using common host facility; concept
investigation and engineering in process; new 3D seismic acquisition across the
two fields is underway. Plan for development to be submitted in 2005.
Indonesia: (ConocoPhillips) Belanak Field Begins Production 11/04
 Rigzone, 8/23/04
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15773

ConocoPhillips expects to begin production from the Belanak field offshore
Indonesia in November, an official at BP Migas said. This is expected to boost the
country's production by 6 percent in 2005.

The FPSO is expected to arrive on the field next month. Production will start
at approximately 20,000 barrels per day and peak at 60,000 bpd in 2005.
ConocoPhillips currently produces about 35,000 bpd of oil from other fields in
Indonesia.
New Zealand: (Todd) Large Exploration Permit Issued
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=16093
 September 3, 2004

Todd Petroleum Mining Company has been awarded a large petroleum
exploration permit in the south of the offshore Taranaki Basin, new Zealand. The
permit PEP 38494 covers an area of 5341 sq km south of the Maui and Maari
fields. The permit contains identified leads from the Pakawau, Kapuni and Moki
Formations. Four wells were drilled in the area, including three in the 1970s by
NZ Aquitaine Petroleum Ltd soon after the Maui field was discovered in 1969.
Though a considerable amount of seismic data was obtained in the area from the
late 1960s to the mid-1980s, there has been little exploration in the area since
then.
New Zealand: (Austral Pacific) Offshore Exploration License Issued
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=16094
 September 3, 04

Austral Pacific Energy (NZ) Ltd has been granted a small offshore Taranaki permit
area between the Kupe mining permit and the south Taranaki coast, New
Zealand. The permit PEP 38492 covers an area of 69 sq km which contains the
Hawera West lead in the Kapuni Formation. Part of this lead is within the
northern end of the Kupe license, which is now operated by Origin Energy.

Austral Pacific also operates another offshore Taranaki permit PEP 38480
northeast of the Pohokura gas-condensate field. Austral Pacific's chief executive
Dave Bennett has a past association with the Kupe permit as he headed
exploration for New Zealand Oil & Gas Ltd one of the partners in the joint venture
which discovered the Kupe field. NZOG still holds a stake in the current Kupe
field.NNew
New Zealand: (Todd) Offshore Gas Field Discovery, 60-100 Billion
Cubic Feet
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=11500

March 10, 04

Mr Tweedie said Todd intended conducting a major seismic survey over the total
area next month and, if the information gathered proved encouraging, seeking
partners to help fund a drilling programme that would take place during
2005/2006.
New Zealand: 13 Exploration Permits Issued (Feb 04)
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=10814
 February 05, 04

The New Zealand Associate Minister of Energy, Harry Duynhoven, announced the
award of 13 exploration permits involving over $130 million in new investment in
the Taranaki region. "The new exploration permits are a significant part of a
broader strategy aimed at stimulating exploration and investment in oil and gas
in New Zealand," Mr. Duynhoven said.
Indian Ocean
9/17/2004 4:22:00 PM
Myanmar: (GAIL) Exploring and Production Plans
 August 04
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15442

The Government of Myanmar has agreed to associate with the Indian consortium
consisting of GAIL (Gas Authority India) Ltd. and ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) in the
exploration and production from the A3 block in offshore Myanmar. This block,
adjacent to gas bearing block A1, is considered to have a high potential for
hydrocarbon finds.
India: (Niko Resources) Major Discovery, 2D seismic of less than
20% so far
 Rigzone august 04
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15315

Niko Resources has revealed a new major gas discovery in the D-6 Block and
another gas discovery in the NEC-25 block off the east coast of India. In the D-6
Block the M-1 exploration discovery well was drilled approximately 19km SSE of
the Dhirubhai field in 1327 meters of water to a total depth of 2942 meters. .

M-1 is the 11th consecutive successful well drilled in the 1.9 million acre D-6
Block. All drilling to date has occurred in the first 1800 km2 3D seismic program
that covers less than 20% of the Block. An additional 2500 km2 3D seismic
program is currently being processed and merged with the original 3D survey
India: (Jubilant Enpro) Enviro Assessments Underway preceding 3D
Seismic in 3Q 2004
 August 04
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=14415

Delhi-based Jubilant Enpro has begun work on two NELP-IV blocks where it is
operator. In April Enpro received a Petroleum Exploration License for Tripura
block AA-ONN-2002/1 and in May for Gujarat block CB-ONN-2002/2.

PETROWATCH learns 'environment impact assessment' studies have begun for
both blocks ahead of 3D seismic, scheduled for the third quarter of this year.
Jubilant is still awaiting a PEL for its third NELP block CY-ONN-2002/1 located
onshore Cauvery Basin. This was awarded to a consortium of Jubilant Enpro
(30% and operator), GSPC (20%) and GAIL 50%. PetroWatch - "Market
Intelligence from the Oil, Gas & Power sector in India
Pakistan: Five Offshore Blocks Offered for Exploration
 August 26
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15894

Pakistan plans to offer five more blocks for exploration in its efforts to lure
companies to its unexplored offshore areas, a government official said Thursday.
"We are opening bids for these blocks by the end of this month," G.A. Sabri,
director general of petroleum concessions at the Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Resources, told Dow Jones Newswires.

But industry sources said the government is unlikely to receive a big response,
following a failed bid by a consortium led by French oil major Total S.A. (TOT) to
find hydrocarbons in the first ultra deepwater well it drilled in block G offshore
Pakistan. A partner in the Total-led consortium earlier told Dow Jones Newswires
that the well, which was drilled in July, didn't contain commercially viable
hydrocarbons.

Sabri said the five blocks cover an area of 12,500 square kilometers and will be
offered on a production-sharing basis with the government. The government last
year awarded offshore drilling contracts to multinational consortiums led by Royal
Dutch/Shell Group (RD) and Total.

The Total-led consortium was awarded two blocks, which cover a combined area
of 15,000 square kilometers and are located around 300 kilometers from Karachi,
while the Shell-led consortium has one block in the offshore Indus basin, 150
kilometers south of Karachi.

Pakistan imports around 85% of its oil needs, and so far, oil exploration has
been concentrated mainly onshore. The Total-led consortium, which comprises
Malaysia's Petronas (PET.YY), Austria's OMV AG (OMV.VI) and Pakistan's OGDC
and Mari Gas Co., has invested around $30 million in its first ultra deepwater well
in block G.

Sabri said discussions were on with the Shell-led consortium to start drilling. The
consortium has completed a seismic survey at the Indus basin. Premier-KUFPEC
Pakistan B.V. and Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration are also part of the
Shell-led consortium. Shell officials earlier said they planned to invest $12 million
for exploration activities in the block.
Madagascar: (Vanco/PGS) First 3D in East Africa is underway
 August 27
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15924

Vanco Madagascar Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanco Energy Company,
announces that the Majunga Offshore Profond joint venture group is conducting a
comprehensive 3D seismic acquisition program covering 3,657 square kilometers
of the deepwater portion of the block. Majunga Offshore Profond is situated
offshore northwestern Madagascar and encompasses approximately 4.4 million
acres. The survey will further evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the Majunga
salt basin. The current 3D program is designed to identify and evaluate potential
drilling locations for an exploratory drilling program. The seismic data is being
acquired by PGS utilizing its state-of-the-art vessel, M/V Ramform Challenger.
The acquisition program, which commenced on 31 July, represents the first 3D
seismic ever acquired in East Africa. The Vanco Group is exploring in
Madagascar under a Production Sharing Contract signed with OMNIS, the national
oil and gas company, in March of 2001.
East Africa Analysis Underway (PGS/Hyperdynamics)
 August 25
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15836

Hyperdynamics reports that PGS has completed phase I of the seismic
interpretation contract with its energy subsidiary, SCS Corporation. This contract
was originally awarded for 3rd party interpretation services to Petroleum GeoServices (PGS) on Aug. 6, 2004. On Aug. 20 the PGS team gathered all of their
information and interpreted data and traveled back to London to complete their
work. Over the next several weeks they will be completing their analysis and final
reports. In the process of completion, they plan to integrate other West African
known geological information as well as the specific results expected shortly from
SCS's geochemical coring program being performed by its contractor TDI-Brooks
International Inc.

On Aug. 19 a preliminary report was given to SCS management and
Hyperdynamics' CEO. When asked about the content of the preliminary report,
Robert Bearnth, EVP of Geology, said that "it is very nice having an independent
geological team corroborating our findings. The consensus now is that there is
everything required in the region to support commercially viable hydrocarbons.
All information which we have reported on before is being supported, even to the
extent of agreeing wholeheartedly that there is indeed a working petroleum
system throughout the concession. This system includes significant hydrocarbon
sources, structures, fault migration paths, reservoir and potential traps. We also
have conclusive evidence of three ancient deltas with very thick sedimentary
deposits. There is additional consensus that gas seeps reported on earlier are of
hydrocarbon origin."

Mr. Kent Watts, CEO for Hyperdynamics, stated that "PGS's preliminary report
could not have been more positive. All of our exploration work is continuing to
grow our asset value. It is mind boggling to me that this value has not yet been
reflected in our share price. However, I am confident that our consistent progress
will ultimately correct this market disparity."
Kenya: (Global Petroleum) Bids out for New 2D seismic on 10 areas,
planned for 4Q 2004
 August 26
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15890

Global Petroleum Limited advises that the Woodside led Joint Venture in Kenya
Licenses L-5 and L-7 comprising Woodside Energy (Kenya) Pty Ltd (40% and
operator), UK based Dana Petroleum (E&P) Limited (40%) and Global Petroleum
(20%) has invited tenders for a minimum of 2,500km of new 2D seismic over
about 10 key leads which have been mapped using the seismic recorded by the
Joint Venture last year. The areas proposed to be covered by the new survey are
shown on the accompany map. The new seismic survey is scheduled for the last
quarter of this year which would enable drilling to commence in late 2005 or
early 2006. The leads to be investigated by the new seismic are in water depths
of 500 to 2,500 meters and range in size up to several tens of square kms with
very significant reserves upside potential.
Arctic
9/17/2004 4:22:00 PM
Alaska: Beaufort EA for OCS Sale 195
 Fed Reg, EA/FONSI for 3 lease sales in Beaufort
 http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket
.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-16904.htm

SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service has prepared an environmental

assessment for proposed Alaska Region Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)

Beaufort Sea Planning Area Lease Sale 195. In this EA, OCS EIS/EA MMS

2004-028, MMS reexamined the potential environmental effects of the

proposed action and its alternatives based on any new information

regarding potential impacts and issues that were not available at the

time the Alaska Region OCS Beaufort Sea Planning Area Oil and Gas Lease

Sales 186, 195, and 202, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volumes

I through IV (multiple-sale EIS) was completed in February 2003. The

MMS also prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact
Russia: (Statoil) Barents Sea Fields Targeted by Norwegian Oil Co
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=16040
 09/01/04

"Shtokman is not the only way to participate in the Russian Barents Sea,"
Statoil's Carlsen told Dow Jones Newswires on the sidelines of an oil and gas
conference. "We're also working on other discovered fields and are already in
discussions," said Carlsen. The senior VP declined to reveal the names of the
Russian oil companies that Statoil is in talks with.

Industry experts say the Arctic holds 25% of the world's remaining gas
reserves, with the majority seen located in the Russian Barents Sea. Carlsen
previously said Statoil, 76% owned by the Norwegian government, is in talks with
Shtokman field owner Gazprom OAO (GSPBEX.RS).

The 3.2 trillion cubic meter natural gas Shtokman field is one of the largest in
the world, located in the deep water continental shelf on the Russian side of the
Barents Sea, around 300 miles from Murmansk.
Gazprom said in early June that
it was appointing Norsk Hydro ASA (NHY) as its primary partner, though no
contract terms have been agreed.
Inland Seas
9/17/2004 4:22:00 PM
Black Sea (Georgia): (Andarko) 3D Surveys to commence
 August 26, 2004
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15906

nadarko Petroleum Corporation at the start of next month will begin 3D
geophysical studies of oil and gas reserves in Georgia's sector of the Black Sea, a
source at Anadarko Georgia, a joint venture set up with Gruzneft, told Interfax on
August 23.

The American Geco Topaz ship that will arrive in Batumi late this week will be
used for the work, he said. The company will conduct 3D studies in four areas of
the shelf several kilometers from the coast of Ajaria at depths to 1,200 meters
The first oil well in the region could be drilled next year if the forecasts by
Georgian and American experts on large hydrocarbon reserves prove true, he
said.

Anadarko has been conducting comprehensive geophysical exploration in the
Black Sea on an area covering 9,900 square kilometers since the autumn of
2000. It has conducted gravimetric and geomagnetic work on 2,300 square
kilometers. Computer processing of the data at Anadarko Petroleum
headquarters in Houston revealed four possible blocks. Specialists have
estimated the potential of each of them at 70 million ? 1.3 billion barrels of oil.
The current research aims to determine where Georgia's first offshore oil platform
will be located.

Based on the preliminary data, Anadarko said initial oil reserves previously
estimated by Georgian specialists at 200 million tonnes could be much larger.
The company will also determine probable gas reserves at the offshore sites.
Similar studies have not been conducted before. Reserves at natural gas fields on
shore in Georgia are estimated at 100 billion cubic meters. Anadarko Petroleum
and Gruzneft signed the agreement to form the joint venture to develop the
Black Sea shelf on June 26, 2000. The sides have drawn up a production sharing
agreement based on licenses provided to the American company for oil and gas
exploration and production for 25 years.
Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan) Audit of Reserves
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15293
 August 3

Kazakhstan has invited the geological exploration company WesternGeco to audit
reserves at new oilfields in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea.

The government's press service said that Kazakh Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov
met with WesternGeco Vice President Ken Williams on Saturday to discuss
"several aspects of cooperation to research and monitor new oilfields" in the
Kazakh sector of the Caspian.

"The head of government directed the Geology and Resource Protection
Committee to continue work with the company to receive more objective
information on the potential of new fields in the Caspian Sea," the press release
said.

During the meeting, Williams told Akhmetov about the company's services in
gathering and processing information on offshore, onshore and coastal oil
reserves.

The press release also noted that WesternGeco has already carried out work to
collect seismic information for the international consortium Agip KCO, which is
developing a number of oil sections in the Kazakh sector of the northern Caspian
at the Kashagan and Kalamkas fields.

One of the company's last projects was to complete deep water research at the
Tyub-Karagan and Atash fields being developed in the Kazakh sector of the
Caspian by Russian oil major Lukoil, the press release said.
Baltic Sea (Russia): Russia Working on List of Blocks for Licensing
 Rigzone, 8/19/04 (subscription)
 http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=15714
 (NOTE: Baltic Sea is very contained, between Scandinavia and NW
Russia, narrow inlet connects to North Sea)

The Natural Resources Ministry and the government of Kaliningrad region are
working on a list of license blocks for hydrocarbon development in the Baltic Sea.
The blocks include Shelf-1 (Baltic Sea shelf, 5.5 million tonnes of fuel equivalent
D1+D2 reserves), Shelf-2 (2.8 million tonnes of D1+D2), and Kurshky Bay (3.65
million tonnes of D2 reserves), according to the Economic and Legal Issues of
Subsoil Resource Use in Russia bulletin issued August 16.