Libya Has Taken The Top Spot In The E&P Prospect Rankings
Oil & Gas Journal, April 23-29
Libya scored the highest this year as the most popular country for new
exploration, development, and production ventures, with Iran claiming second place.
These are the findings of Robertson Research International, Llandudno,
UK, after its latest annual international new ventures survey, in which
the firm polls E&P companies based outside North America.
In the survey, now in its 14th year, Robertson asked companies about their
levels of interest in E&P ventures in 146 countries. This year, responses
came from 85 companies, which among them are expected to account for 70%
of global E&P spending this year.
"The most popular region is the Middle East, followed by Far East-Australasia.
Outside the top 10, the most impressive gains in ranking in 2001 [over
2000] are by Mexico, Ecuador, and Morocco, and the biggest falls by Eritrea,
Thailand, and Myanmar," said Robertson.
About 51 % of the survey respondents are actively seeking new ventures
this year, and 56% said that they plan to invest in new projects outside
of those in which they are currently involved. Robertson noted that interest
in natural gas continues to climb, especially among the majors, and that
34% of survey respondents are expected to increase their deepwater ventures. |
