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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Cambodia Oil Venture

Cambodian National Petroleum Authority

The Cambodian National Petroleum Authority (CNPA) was formed in accordance with Royal Decree ChorSor/RorTorkor 0198/020 dated 22 January, 1999. The CNPA is responsible for all matters related to the regulation and management of Cambodia's petroleum sector. The CNPA is under the direct authority of the Prime Minister and lead by Chairman H.E. Mr Sok An.

H.E. Mr Sok An has the full responsibility and authority to manage CNPA. Furthermore, the Chairman is responsible for providing advice and recommendations on policy guidelines as well as coordinating the business of petroleum exploration and development in both the upstream and downstream activities sections. To facilitate onshore and offshore operations in Cambodia, CNPA provides policy proposals and draft legislation for approval by the Prime Ministers Cabinet .



The CNPA is managed by both the Board of Management and an Executive Team. The Board of Management comprises H.E. Mr Sok An (Chairman), H.E. Mr Ho Vichit (Vice Chairman), H.E. Mr Ung Richard Ponnara (Vice Chairman), and H.E. Mr Te Duong Tara (Director General), and the Legal Team. The Executive Team is led by the Director General and comprises four main departments (Upstream Department, Downstream Department, Legal and Negotiation Department, and Administration and Finance Department) and three expert working teams (Laboratory Expert Team, Health, Safety and Environment Expert Team, and Research Information Expert team).



With regard to Cambodia's energy industry all petroleum products for Cambodia are currently imported as there is no indigenous production. However, recent years have shown increased development in production, downstream storage, transportation, and retailing of hydrocarbon products. In addition, Cambodia now has over 200 petrol stations in operation as well as highly prospective offshore acreages (yet to be fully explored).



Cambodia Oil Exploration History

The history of oil and gas exploration in Cambodia dates back to the 1950’s when the first reported geological surveys of Cambodian territory were conducted by a team of Chinese geologists.

In the early 1960’s, Polish geologists also conducted geological and structural mapping, locating some oil seep and outcrops as well as further identifying the country’s mineral.

An Elf and Esso consortium undertook the first offshore drilling between 1972 and 1974. During this time, the consortium drilled three exploratory wells : L-1, B-1 and H-1 in an area of the Khmer Basin located roughly 100 to 200 km. off the coast from Sihanouk Ville.

The exploration scene was then very quiet until 1987 when Russian and Cambodian geologists performed a geological and geophysical study, identifying seven sedimentary basins with oil and gas potential in onshore and offshore areas and dividing the areas into seven offshore blocks and nineteen onshore blocks. Following the introduction of new Petroleum Regulation in 1991, an initial Cambodian bidding round was announced, calling for bids on offshore and onshore blocks.

Although foreign interest in the onshore was mute, Production Sharing Contract ( PSC’s ) were awarded to Enterprise ( blocks 1 and 2 ), Campex ( block 3 ) and a pairing of Premier Oil and Idemitsu ( block 4 ).

As a result, a total of nine wells were drilled three wells Angkor-1, Koah Tang-1 and Apsara-1 were found amount of gas condensate and waxy crude oil with low sulphur contents. And Da-1, Bayon-1, Poulo Wai-1 and Koah Pring-1 exhibited oil and gas shows. By the end of 1998 , limited exploration success and collapsing world oil prices prompted all foreign companies holding the PSC’s to withdraw from Cambodia . At the same time Woodside Petroleum was awarded PSC’s blocks 5 and 6. Woodside acquired 5000 km of 2-D seismic lines under the initial two year exploration period by the PSC’s. Despite identified several prospective structures block5 was relinquished in 1999 and block6 in 2000. In 1999, Woodside entered into the Study Agreement with CNPA covering blocks I-IV and VII with the purpose to determine the prospectivity of those blocks and feasibility of developing the discovered reserves. The result of the Study has shown that there is some potential for gas to be present in the area and model has been developed to assess the reserve potential of the area based on analogue from elsewhere in the Gulf of Thailand.

On 15th August 2002, the Royal Government of Cambodia awarded Chevron Overseas Petroleum (Cambodia) Limited (COPCL) a concession for the exploration and production of oil and gas offshore in Block A, an area covering 1.6 million acres (6,278 sq. km). The company is the operator of the block and currently holds a 55 percent interest.



A five-well exploration and appraisal program commenced in September 2006 and was completed in December. As part of another drilling program, four additional wells are anticipated for drilling and completion in 2007. The need for additional drilling in 2008 and 2009 will be based on the results of earlier drilling campaign. As of early 2008, the results and prospects for further drilling were being evaluated.

*** Now you may wondering why oil industries are taking too long to be accomplished?

To understands this, you need to reach the tile and have a read on this "PETROLEUM REGULATIONS"

Recent Offshore Open Areas

  • Block A : Chevron 55%, Moeco 30% and GS Caltex 15%
  • Block B : PTTEP 30%, SPC 30%, Resourceful Petroleum 30% & Cooper Energy 10%
  • Block C : Polytec 100%
  • Block D : China Petrotech 100%
  • Block E : Medco 60%, Kuwait Energy 30% and JHL 10%
  • Block F : under negotiation with CNOOC Limited.



Activities

With its 30% interest, Moeco Cambodia Co., Ltd. (“MCC”) is engaged in exploration for oil, natural gas and condensate in Cambodia's offshore Block A in conjunction with Chevron Overseas Petroleum (Cambodia) Ltd. (55%: Operator, a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation) and with GS Caltex Corporation (15%).

MCC drilled 9 exploration wells between October 2006 and February 2007 and the result of drilling are currently being evaluated. Based on the result of the evaluation, MCC is to make an exploration plan in the latter half of 2007 with the aim of early start up of commercial production.

事業内容

モエコカンボジア石油(株)(MCC)は、カンボジア沖合Block Aにおいて、30%の権益を保有し、オペレーターである Chevron Overseas Petroleum(Cambodia)Ltd. および GS Caltex Corporation とともに原油・天然ガス・コンデンセートの探鉱事業を推進しております。

当期は、2006年10月から2007年2月にかけて、試掘井9坑を掘削し、現在評価作業を行なっております。2007年後半にはこれら評価結果を踏まえ、早期の商業生産開始に向けて今後の探鉱計画を立案する予定です。

MOECO on offshore seismic activities on block A

Corporate Data

Facts about MCC operations

Contract Area

Block A

Contract

PSC

Status

Exploration

Company

Moeco Cambodia Co., Ltd.

Shareholder

MOECO 100%

Partner

Chevron Overseas Petroleum (Cambodia) Ltd. (Operator)

GS Caltex Corp.

Project Interest

Chevron 55% / MCC 30% / Caltex 15%

会社情報

MCCの事業内容
鉱区Block A
契約形態生産分与契約
活動状況探鉱段階
事業会社モエコカンボジア石油(株)( MCC )
株主三井石油開発(株) 100%
パートナーChevron Overseas Petroleum (Cambodia) Ltd. (Operator)

GS Caltex Corporation
プロジェクト権益Chevron 55% / MCC 30% / Caltex 15%

Monday, October 29, 2007

Lundin Petroleum has acquired a 34% interest in Block E from Medco International Petroleum, Kuwait Energy Company KSCC and JHL Petroleum Ltd. Completion of the transaction is subject to governmental approvals.

Block E covers 5,559 square kilometers and is located offshore Cambodia, in the Pattani Basin. The block contains several plays in addition to rift basin, fault traps and several structures have been identified. A 1,200-kilometer 2D seismic acquisition has recently been completed and is currently being processed and interpreted to define further exploration activities.

Future plans include 250 square kilometers 3D seismic acquisition and one exploration well. In addition, Lundin Petroleum and Medco have agreed to work together in respect to certain future oil and gas opportunities in Cambodia. Medco serves as operator of Block E with 41.25% interest while Kuwait Energy Company holds 20.63% interest and JHL Petroleum holds 4.13% interest.

Lundin Petroleum is a Swedish independent oil and gas exploration and production company with a well-balanced portfolio of world-class assets in Europe, Africa, Russia and the Far East. The Company is listed at the Nordic Exchange, Sweden (ticker "LUPE"). Lundin Petroleum has existing proven and probable reserves of 176.4 MMboe as of January 1, 2007.



More about Meoco - Mitsui Exploration Oil Company., Ltd

www.moeco.co.jp/english/project/cambodia.html

More for Cambodian National Petroleum Authority (CNPA)

http://www.cnpa-cambodia.com/






Overlapping claims complicate gas hunt








Phnom Penh post


Thursday, 29 May 2008



With large volumes of gas being pumped from the Pattani Basin off the coast of Thailand, Cambodia is expected to some day reap the benefits of its own domestic gas supply from fields lying under the same waters.



But first the country must resolve a contentious, decades-old dispute with Thailand over some 27,000 square kilometers in the Gulf known as the Overlapping Claims Area, or OCA.



Although early drilling in Chevron's Block A in Cambodian waters off the coast from Sihanoukville has so far failed to yield significant gas finds, industry officials and geologists agree the prospects for the discovery of large natural gas deposits in the disputed area are high.



The Pattani Basin across the border in Thailand has been a reliable producer of gas for years and the geology of the basin reaches into the disputed area.



No estimates are available regarding how much gas - or oil for that matter - could be recovered from the OCA.



But Thailand's former Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand says Cambodia should be anticipating gas because the companies working in the Gulf of Thailand just across the border have been producing "mainly gas for 30 years."



"Although the geology is complex, in the overlapping claims area, that area is mainly gas," he said in an interview with the Post at an oil and gas conference in March.



Gas in the OCA would be a windfall for both countries.



Impoverished Cambodia could use it to generate much-needed power - alleviating chronic blackouts, electrifying rural areas and lowering the price of electricity for large development projects, said Deputy Prime Minister Sok An.



Domestic gas production could also enable Cambodia to replace costly imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and reduce the country's heavy reliance on charcoal for cooking.



Thailand could also boost its production to meet rising domestic demand which requires that it import much of its gas from neighboring Myanmar, whose shaky political environment makes it a risky supplier, industry sources say.



But talks over the OCA, which resumed in April after years of stalemate, are still in their early stages. The dispute goes back to the 1970s, but six years ago Cambodia and Thailand negotiated the joint development agreement that was hoped to resolve the problem.



According to the trade publication Oil & Gas Journal, the original model negotiated by Thailand and Cambodia called for a 50-50 split of resources, while now Phnom Penh authorities are pressing for a 60-40 sharing ratio. Oil & Gas Journal said Thailand will insist on the original 50-50 split.

Sources close to the negotiations say there are two components to the proposal on the table: to demarcate the upper part of the OCA with a border while leaving the lower portion to be jointly developed by Cambodia and Thailand, which would share in the costs and benefits of production.



One independent oil expert said Cambodia is likely to resist simply splitting the area down the middle since "the better prospects are on the Thai side," adding that the debate has already become too tangled in politics and nationalism to move forward.



"Keep the two countries out of it, keep the politics out and let the maritime experts and lawyers decide," said the expert, who due to the sensitive nature of the talks did not want to be named.

Another petroleum consultant warned that the dispute could take years to resolve, and depended heavily on global factors like the price of oil and gas, but that Cambodia could have the upper hand at the moment because "Thailand needs [natural gas] more."





Cambodia, Thailand struggle over petroleum


Archieve from Southeast Asia

Jun 13, 2007



PHNOM PENH - Much international attention on Cambodia is focused on petroleum discoveries made by US supermajor Chevron offshore in the Gulf of Thailand. But the real prize is the overlapping claims area (OCA) further offshore to the west, an area long contested with Thailand.





But no exploration has ever taken place over what all geologists say is definitely prospective for oil and gas because of the failure of the Thais and Cambodians to reach a sensible agreement as to how to resolve border issues.



In principle, they have embraced a joint development approach, but this is not moving forward because of failure to agree on a division of the government revenues.



To some advisers close to the Cambodian government, a major stumbling block is Thai intransigence. While the Cambodians are now prepared to make some concessions, the Thais are still not giving anything, wanting the lion's share of the benefits.



Certainly, there can be a lot of national sensitivities involved in settling border claims, and both Thais and Cambodians have long memories of old hostilities. But Bangkok's attitude would not seem to sit well with all the talk in forums of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations of regional cooperation and good feeling, and also not in the context of the Asian Development Bank-promoted program to integrate the Greater Mekong Sub-Region economically.



Shine the light on the OCA

Just what Chevron has found in what are without dispute Cambodian waters is debatable. People may in fact be disappointed. All sorts of numbers are being bandied about, but Chevron itself is very tightlipped. Its Bangkok office says the sorts of numbers put forward by multilateral agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media are speculative and do not come from Chevron. Where development goes in its offshore Block A is not clear.





The map shown an Overlapping Consession Area- OCA Where still in disputed between Both Countries.



After completion of a recent drilling round, Chevron said: "All data will be thoroughly analyzed over the next several months to recalibrate the pre-drill geological and geophysical models and to determine the ultimate resource potential in Block A." There are in fact counter-rumors now that the petroleum resources in the block, while maybe still at commercial levels, are far less than what has been anticipated. Time will tell. The government has tentatively put petroleum reserves in Block A at 700 million barrels.



Better to shine the spotlight on the 27,000-square-kilometer OCA in the north of the Gulf of Thailand.



Geologists say it is very prospective for oil and gas because it covers a continuation of structures that in adjacent and truly Thai waters have been producing large volumes of oil and gas for many years. This is a different geology from that under the Cambodian waters to the east of the OCA.



Indicative of the OCA's prospectivity is that both sides have awarded blocks over the same areas to major companies. These include ConocoPhillips of the United States, Chevron (taking up blocks also held earlier by Unocal after Chevron acquired that company in 2005, as well as its existing prior interests in the OCA), BG (British Gas), Australia's BHP Billiton, and Japan's Idemitsu, Inpex and Moeco. None have relinquished their claims, pointing to the strength of the OCA's prospects.



The origins of the OCA dispute date back to borders made more than a century ago between Siam and the colonial French government then ruling Cambodia and Laos as well as Vietnam. A result of this is that today in the northern part of the OCA, Cambodian- and Thai-claimed maritime borders are almost perpendicular to each other.



Efforts to resolve the problem made some headway at the start of the decade when the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in 2001 agreeing that a joint development regime could be established over the lower two-thirds of the area while the northern third could be developed once the maritime border could be delineated. But the road was still not easy, as Thailand insisted that this border delineation be achieved before a joint development area could be established.



Discussions fell into limbo after the diplomatic breakdown in Thai-Cambodia relations in early 2003. This was caused by attacks on the Thai Embassy and property triggered by reported remarks by a Thai actress that Cambodia's revered Ankhor Wat temple complex in the northwest of the country should be part of Thailand.



Relations were eventually repaired and negotiations resumed over the OCA.



The current Thai proposal is that the disputed area be divided into three strips running north-south, with the revenue from the central area to be shared equally. The share from the outer areas would be weighted in favor of the country adjacent to that area. But a difficulty here for Cambodia is that the most prospective areas are likely to be to the west.



For its part, Cambodia proposes dividing the area vertically down the middle and six times horizontally, creating 14 different blocks. Revenues from the blocks would be shared equally. Each country would be responsible for managing seven of the blocks, allocated in a checkerboard pattern.



Thailand, however, does not seem prepared to accept equal division and argues for a greater share of the fiscal benefits. Yet even under a 50:50 split of government revenue from oil and gas production from a joint development area, Thailand would gain the largest share of the overall economic benefits.



According to a study undertaken by UK-based petroleum-industry consultants Wood McKenzie, 85% of the development's overall economic benefits would accrue to Thailand. This was determined on the basis of gas from the OCA likely being fed into an existing comprehensive Thai pipeline system in the gulf. Thailand wouldgain transit fees and other benefits such as further gas for its power generation instead of importing via expensive liquefied natural gas. Thailand would also gain more through displacement of imported oil. Thailand imports almost all of its oil supplies.



The ultimate position of companies allocated blocks by the respective governments is unclear. The Cambodian awards were made in 1997 conditional to a resolution of the dispute. The Thai

awards were made in the late 1970s, and legal opinion is that these may be in force majeure.



Achieving a breakthrough

Government officials from both sides meet three or four times a year under the terms of the 2001 memorandum of understanding, but it appears little progress is being made now.



Clearly the uncertainties in Thailand after the coup last September against the government of Thaksin Shinawatra are not helping. Until there is a new constitution and new government to succeed the present military-directed caretaker administration, the Thais will not make any commitments.



Under Thaksin, there were some signs that he may have been able to bite the bullet and force an agreement through his bureaucracy. This would have been consistent with Thaksin's wider plans for a Thai-centered economic-development thrust for the Thailand-Indochina region, called the Ayeyawady-Chao Phya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy. And blueprints prepared under him did include schemes for OCA development.



Recourse to the International Court of Justice in The Hague is not an option, it seems. Both sides must be prepared to submit their cases for judgment, and this is very, very unlikely to happen because the Thais remember the last time they went along with this way of doing things - they lost their claim to the ancient Khmer temple of Preah Vihear, which is just inside Cambodia's northern border with Thailand.



That issue, like the OCA matter, had its origins in borders determined by the French colonial government with Siam. In 1954, the year after France granted independence to Cambodia, the Thai military (Siam was finally renamed Thailand in 1949) seized the temple from Cambodia. The then prime minister, Prince Sihanouk, took the matter to the International Court in 1959. The Thais were also prepared to have their case heard.



But to Bangkok's chagrin, the court ruled in Cambodia's favor in 1962. Cambodia did have some substantial legal counsel. One of those representing Phnom Penh was Dean Acheson, who was secretary of state (1949-53) in the administration of US president Harry Truman. The current failure to unlock the OCA is lamentable. On Bangkok's side, there should be keenness to resolve the issue, given Thailand's own need to find new gas supplies for domestic power generation and oil to offset its growing oil-import bill.



And for Cambodia, revenue from the petroleum development would, of course, be a blessing if it enabled the government to finance more infrastructure and health and education.



At this prospect, there are, however, plenty of cautionary voices from multilateral organizations and international NGOs warning about the risk of Cambodia squandering such riches through bad management, poor economic policy and corruption.



Phnom Penh has no shortage of advice. But perhaps it would be better first to work out how the OCA problem might be resolved, especially if the Chevron finds on Block A are less than were once hoped.



In any case, an OCA joint development scheme should be attractive to those who are worried about the use of resources revenues. As one petroleum lawyer says, a joint development area would have to offer transparency as there would be an overarching treaty signed by both countries to govern operations. There would be a regulatory framework set down, a joint authority to manage it, and reports of operations and revenues made to both governments.



There are examples of how this can work. The joint development area between Thailand and Malaysia in the southern part of the Gulf of Thailand has been supplying gas to Malaysia since last year and is set to supply gas to Thailand from about 2008.



Then there are the joint development treaties between Australia and East Timor. While the determining of splits for the contested areas has been a controversial process since Timor succeeded Indonesia as the treaty partner upon independence in 1999, this now seems to be bedded down.



Under one joint development arrangement, covering the producing Bayu Undan gas and condensate field, East Timor gains 90% of government revenue. A more contentious deal was for the Greater Sunrise gas fields, yet to be developed, where a 50:50 split was finally agreed on.



The outcomes reflect both East Timor's legitimate border claims and the view in Canberra that such splits would be an effective way of ensuring that the tiny new state has access to revenues and will not be forever reliant on multilateral and bilateral handouts - including those that would come from Australia.



Australia did not reach this position without difficult negotiation with the Timorese and its United Nations advisers, and there was domestic and international NGO pressure on Canberra to provide East Timor with a better deal over Greater Sunrise than Australia had first proposed.



The Thai-Cambodian OCA situation is perhaps not so different. Yet there does not seem any wider debate and concern as to what responsible position Thailand could take if it wished to assist the development of its much needed neighbor and promote economic cooperation in the Mekong region.







-----------------------------

I. PETROLEUM REGULATIONS

This Regulations has been adopted by the Council of Ministers

in Phnom Penh on September 28, 1991

CHAPTER I: PRELIMINARY



1. DEFINITIONS:



Unless the subject or context otherwise requires, in these Regulations:



(a) Exploration Period: means the initial Exploration Period and extension thereof as specified in Article15.



(b) Exploration Operations: means all work necessary to explore for Petroleum and evaluate the

commercial development of any discovery of Petroleum as provided in a Petroleum Agreement.



(c) Exploration Block: means the Exploration Block referred to Article 13 whose boundaries shall be demarcated in according with Articles 10 and 12.



(d) Production Permit: means the production Permit to be issue under sub-article 19.2 of Article 19.



(e) Production Period: means the Production Period as specified in Article 20.



(f) Petroleum Operations: means Exploration, Development or Production of Petroleum and includes the treatment, transportation, storage and sale or disposal of petroleum so produced as specified in Chapter6.



(g) Petroleum Agreement: means a Production Sharing Contract.



(h) Production Operations: means all work necessary to product, treat, transport, store and sell or dispose of Petroleum.



(i) Production Area: means an area described in a Production Permit.



(j) Petroleum means: crude oil, natural gas and other liquid, gaseous, solid or semisolid hydrocarbons in their natural state and includes sulphur, helium and all similar substances associated with hydrocarbons.



(k) Crude Oil: means Petroleum produced at the wellhead in the liquid state and asphalt, ozokerite and liquid Petroleum known as distillate or condensate obtained from Natural Gas by condensation or extraction.



(l) Natural Gas: means wet gas, all other gaseous Petroleum produced from oil or gas wells and the residue gas remaining after the extraction of liquid Petroleum from wet gas.



(m) Contractor: means person who sign the Petroleum Agreement with the ambodian Government.



(n) Subcontractor: means any person hired by a Contractor to carry out Petroleum Operations.



(o) Contract Year: means a period of twelve consecutive months beginning from the effective Date orfrom the anniversary of such Effective Date according to the Gregorian Calendar.



(p) Contract Area: means the area of the Exploration Block as reduced by the relinquishments pursuant to Article 16.



(q) Dollar: means the United States dollar.



(r) Inspector:means an individual, official or authority authorized by the Cambodian Government.



(s) Petroleum Costs: means all expenditures incurred by a Contractor in conducting Petroleum

Operations and which are defined in a Petroleum Agreement.



(t) Budget: means the itemized estimate of costs of all items included in a work program.



(u) Calendar Year: means a period of twelve (12) consecutive months beginning January 1 and ending on the following December 31 according to the Gregorian Calendar.



(v) Development Operations: means all work necessary to commercially develop a Field.



(w) Sales or Disposal: means any sale, exchange or transfer of petroleum with or without payment.



(X) Commercial Production Day: means the day on which a Contractor makes its first sale or disposal of Petroleum produced in commercial quantities from a Production Area.



(y) Rovalty: means the Royalty to be retained by the Cambodian Government pursuant to Article 21.



(z) Effective Date: means the date on which the Cambodian Government and a Contractor sign a

Petroleum Agreement.



(al) Field: means an area consisting of a single or multiple Petroleum reservoirs all grouped on, or related to, the same individual geological structural feature, or stratigraphic conditions from which Petroleum may be produced commercially.



(a2) Board: means the Petroleum Advisory Board constituted under Article 43.



(a3) Calendar Quarter: means a period of three (3) consecutive months beginning January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1 and ending on the following March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31, spectively, according to the Gregorian Calendar.

CHAPTER II: SELECTION OF CONTRACTOR AND PETROLEUM AGREEMENT

2. INVITATION FOR BID



In a case where the Cambodian Government desires to conduct Petroleum Operations by employing a Contractor, the Ministry of Industry will issue an invitation for bid and publish notice thereof, in national and international newspaper describing a time limit of at least thirty (30) days for the submission of bids.



3. PARTICULARS TO BE MENTIONED IN INVITATION FOR BID



The following details shall be mentioned in invitations for bid:



(a) The Exploration Blocks open for Petroleum Operations.

(b) Basic information about the Exploration Blocks.

(c) Bidding fee.

(d) Other necessary particulars.



4. PARTICULARS TO BE MENTIONED IN BID



A company desirous of undertaking Petroleum Operations shall submit a sealed bid to the Ministry of Industry in the form prescribed in Schedule 1 with the following details within the time-limit prescribed in the notice published under Article 3.



(a) Evidence showing that the bidder is a company.

(b) Name and address of the authorized to act on behalf of the bidder.

(c) Evidence showing that the bidders commands capital, machinery,equipment, tools and specialists required for undertaking Petroleum Operations.

(d) Methods and time schedule of Exploration Operations.

(e) Minimum work program and budget for the exploration Period (including two extensions).

(f) In the event that the bidder is to be a joint venture of two or more persons, particulars pertaining to their relationship, responsibilities and percentage interests.

(g) Annual Work Program and Budget for the first Contract Year.



5. EVALUATION OF BIDS



5.1 Upon receipt of bids the Ministry of Industry shall evaluate them according to the following criteria:



(a) Financial competence of the bidder.

(b) Technical competence and professional experience of the bidder.

(c) Experience of the bidder in marketing of Petroleum.

(d) Proposed minimum work and expenditure obligations during the Exploration Period.

(e) Proposed allocation of Net Petroleum.

(f) roposed educational and training facilities.

(g) Other facilities and benefits proposed.

(h) any other relevant particulars.



5.2 In the course of evaluation of bids, the Ministry of Industry may ask for additional details or

clarification on any matters from any bidder.



6. NEGOTIATIONS



After evaluation of bids, the Ministry of Industry may undertake negotiations with any qualified bidders.



7. APPROVAL OF BIDS



On the basis of its evaluation of bids and negotiations with bidders, the Ministry of Industry will forwardthe bids with its recommendations to the Cambodian Government for approval and the CambodianGovernment shall decide whether or not to sign any Petroleum Agreement.



8. NOTICE FOR SIGNATURE OF THE PETROLEUM AGREEMENT



8.1 The Ministry of Industry shall inform any bidder approved by the Cambodian Government pursuant to Article 7, and notify it of the date, time and place for signing the Petroleum Agreement. In case a successful bidder without proper reason fails to appear for signing the Petroleum Agreement at the time mentioned in the notice sent under sub-article 8.1, the Cambodian Government may make alternative arrangements.



9. PETROLEUM AGREEMENT



9.1 Normally, no bidder shall be granted more than two Exploration Blocks for Petroleum Operations.



9.2 A separate Petroleum Agreement shall be signed for each Exploration Block.



9.3 A Petroleum Agreement shall be signed in substantially the form prescribed in Schedule 2 with such additions or deletions as may be approved by the Cambodian Government.



9.4 The Minister of Industry shall sign Petroleum Agreement on behalf of the Cambodian Government.

CHAPTER III: DEMARCATION OF AREAS



10. SURFACE BOUNDARIES OF EXPLORATION BLOCKS AND CONTRACT AREAS



Exploration Blocks and Contract Areas shall be demarcated by coordinates of longitude and latitude or prominent natural or topographic features, such as mountain divides or river courses, and by international boundaries.



11. SURFACE BOUNDARIES OF PRODUCTION AREAS



Production Areas shall be polygons in shape and be demarcated by definite geographical co-ordinates.



12. VERTICAL BOUNDARIES OF EXPLORATION BLOCKS CONTRACT AREAS AND

PRODUCTION AREAS



The vertical boundaries of Exploration Blocks, Contract Areas and Production Areas below the surface shall be vertical planes projected through the surface boundaries of such areas.



13. AREA OF EXPLORATION BLOCK



The area of each Exploration Block shall be as demarcated by the Ministry of Industry and will not normally exceed 7,500 square kilometers.



14. POWER TO CONDUCT SURVEYS



For the purpose of clearly demarcating Exploration Blocks, Contract Areas, and Production Areas, the Ministry of Industry may as it may deem necessary, at Contractor's cost, conduct surveys or order Contractor to conduct surveys.

CHAPTER IV: EXPLORATION

15. EXPLORATION PERIOD



15.1 The maximum initial duration of an Exploration Period shall be three (3) Contract Years from the Effective Date. The duration of an Exploration Period may be extended twice for periods of up to two (2) Contract Years each, it so requested by the Contractor in writing, prior to the expiry date of the initial duration and subject to the approval of Ministry of Industry.



15.2 The Ministry of Industry may further extend the duration of the Exploration Period for such time as may be reasonably necessary to complete drilling, logging, testing or plugging of any well which is actually being drilled, logged, tested or plugged at the end of an Exploration Period, or to complete any appraisal work, the evaluation of any discoveries, the preparation and submission of detailed development Work Program and Budgets and/or an application for a Production Permit, or to secure an export market (including necessary arrangements and infrastructure) for Petroleum form a Field which has been discovered in a Contract Area.



16. RELINQUISHMENT OF AREAS



16.1 Contractor shall relinquish areas as follows:



(a) At least thirty (30) per cent of the original Contract Area, excluding any area falling under a

Production Area, by the end of the initial Exploration Period.



(b) Twenty five (25) per cent of the original Contractor Area, excluding any area falling under a

Production Area, by the end of first extension of the Exploration Period.



(c) Subject to sub-article 15.2 of Article 15, all remaining areas of the Original contractor Area,

excluding areas falling under a Production Area, by the end of the Exploration Period.



Explanation: For the purpose of sub-article 16.1, Production Area includes any area over which a request for a Production Permit is under consideration.



16.2 Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-article 16.1, each area which is relinquished from time to time shall be not less than ten (10) per cent of the original Contract Area and shall be composed of contiguous blocks.



16.3 The Cambodian Government shall have the right as agreed in the Petroleum Agreement to order a Contractor to relinquish additional areas containing a Field if after the completion of appraisal Work in such areas Contractor does not apply for a Production Permit, in which case Contractor shall relinquish such areas as provided in the Petroleum Agreement.



16.4 During the Exploration Period, Contractor may at any time relinquish any portion of the Contract Area and all such voluntary relinquishments shall be credited towards the mandatory relinquishments specified in sub-article 16.1.

CHAPTER V: WORK PROGRAM AND BUDGET AND ALLOCATION OF PETROLEUM

17. INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED



If Petroleum discovered in any Contract Area, Contractor shall immediately deliver to the Ministry of Industry a notice of discovery, and promptly submit all information pertaining thereto.



18. APPRAISAL WORK PROGRAM AND BUDGET



If Petroleum found in any Contract Area is of possible commercial significance Contractor shall, within ninety (90) days after the date of a notice of discovery given under Article 17, submit a detailed appraisal Work Program and Budget to evaluate the commercial development of the Field to the Ministry of Industry . If Contractor considers such appraisal to be not necessary in order to evaluate the commercial development of the Field, Contractor may submit justification thereof and proceed to apply for a

Production Permit.



19. DEVELOPMENT WORK PROGRAM AND BUDGET AND PRODUCTION PERMIT



19.1 In case appraisal work shows that a Field can be commercially developed, Contractor shall, within a reasonable period, apply to the Ministry of Industry for a Production Permit. Such application for a Production Permit shall include a detailed Development Work Program and Budget for commercially developing the Field, and a detailed description of the Production Area applied for.



19.2 A Contractor shall not proceed with Development Operations until it has obtained the approval of the Ministry of Industry. Following the approval of the development Work Program and Budget by the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Industry shall issue a Production Permit.



19.3 If the extent of a Field subject to a Production Permit is demonstrated to be different than that for which the Permit was issued, the Production Area subject to the Production Permit shall be adjusted accordingly, provided that the area covered shall be entirely within an unrelinquished Contract Area.



19.4 If a Contractor discovers Natural Gas, whether or not in association with Crude Oil, the Ministry of Industry and Contractor shall immediately consult for the purpose of developing commercial use of such Natural Gas. If no commercial use for Natural Gas has been developed, Contractor shall have the right to request a Production Permit to enable Contractor to develop a commercial market, as specified in the Petroleum Agreement. In order to assist Contractor to develop a commercial market for such Natural Gas, a committee of representatives of both the Ministry of Industry and Contractor shall be established. The committee shall jointly review assessments of the discovery, adopt procedures for planning commercial development, and monitor progress in implementing agreed programs.



20. PRODUCTION PERIOD



The duration of a Production Period shall expire thirty (30) years after the effective Date. If commercial production from the Field remains possible at the expiration of such Production Period, the Ministry of Industry shall extend a Production Period for the period of projected commercial production, but not more than five (5) years.



21. TAX FACILITIES



In the conduct of Petroleum Operations, a Contractor shall be exempt from payment of all taxes, charges, duties and fees leviable under prevailing law except:



(a) A royalty of at least 12.50 per cent as prescribed on the value of Petroleum sold or disposed of. Such royalty shall be paid either wholly or partly in Crude Oil or in cash or both as may be fixed by the Cambodian Government.



(b) Such annual surface rental as may be prescribed.



(c) Income tax at a rate of 25-50 per cent of net Income derived from Petroleum Operations. The Ministry of Industry and Contractor may mutually agree and clearly mention in the Petroleum Agreement the agreed rate of Income tax and the party which shall be liable to pay such Income tax on behalf of the other party.



Explanation: Net income means the net incomes as determined in accordance with the procedure

specified in the Petroleum Agreement.



(d) Registration charges or any other fees for services rendered by the Cambodian Government at generally applicable rates for such services.



(e) Any other taxes or charges as may be specified in the Petroleum Agreement.



22. ALLOCATION OF PETROLEUM



22.1 The Cambodian Government shall retain as Royalty according to the Article 21 (a)



22.2 The balance of Petroleum produced within a Contract Area remaining, after retention of Royalty by the Cambodian Government, and payment of Petroleum Costs to Contractor, shall be allocated to the Cambodian Government and to Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Agreement.



22.3 For the purpose of this Article, Petroleum produced within a Contractor Area means the amount of Petroleum remaining after deducting the Petroleum used as follows from the amount of Petroleum produced from each Field within the Contract Area:



(a) Petroleum used for analysis, test, or in Petroleum Operations.



(b) Natural Gas made available without cost to other Contractor for the purpose of conservation of Petroleum resources or flared, with the prior approval of the Ministry of Industry.



(c) Natural Gas utilized by the Cambodian Government at its own risk.

CHAPTER VI: PETROLEUM OPERATIONS



23. DETAILS TO BE FURNISHED



23.1 At least thirty (30) days prior to undertaking any Petroleum Operations Contractor shall submit the following details concerning the proposed work:



(a) Proposed work program in detail.

(b) Time schedule.

(c) Map of the area showing proposed location of work.

(d) If the work is to be carried out by Subcontractors, their names and addresses.



23.2 In case any necessary changes are to be made in the details submitted under sub-article 23.1 Contractor shall submit the details of the proposed changes fifteen (15) days prior to such changes being made.



23.3 After the details under sub-article 23.1 or 23.2 are received, the Ministry of Industry may ask for additional information from Contractor, and it shall be the duty of the Contractor to furnish the information so requested as soon as possible.



24. STANDARDS OF CONDUCTING PETROLEUM OPERATIONS TO BE PRESCRIBED



The Ministry of Industry may prescribed that Contractor in respect of any specific Petroleum Operations shall comply with the standard of oil field operations published by a recognized professional institution, with or without any modifications for conditions in the State of Cambodia.



25. CONDUCT OF PETROLEUM OPERATIONS



Contractor shall make the following arrangements while conducting Petroleum Operations:



(a) Establish security areas around all machinery, equipments and tools.



(b) Erect fences at a distance of not less than fifty (50) meters from any drilling rig, generator, and other structures .



(c) Provide secure storage areas for all explosive, detonators, and similar dangerous materials used in Petroleum Operations.



(d) Protect the natural environment, avoid causing loss or damage to life of men, animals, natural

property, forest, fishery and archaeological subject to concerning Rules.



(e) Maintain records of workers working in each work area, and send a copy thereof to the Ministry of Industry within fifteen (15) days from the date of commencement of Operations in the area.



(f) Maintain a register of workers in the form prescribed by the Ministry of Industry, and send details of workers joining or leaving every month to the Ministry of Industry within the first week of the following month.



(g) Report to the Ministry of Industry within twenty four (24) hours in case any worker is injured while performing his duties in connection with Petroleum Operations.



(h) Be in charge to protect the health of the people and their working security.



(I) Arrange necessary insurance as provided in the Petroleum Agreement.



(j) Provide safety and fire-fighting equipment in each work area.



26. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF WELLS



26.1 Contractor before undertaking any drilling or workover operations shall give written notice to the Ministry of Industry at least fifteen (15) days prior thereto including notice of its detailed drilling program. Contractor shall give the Ministry of Industry as much notice as practicable before undertaking logging or casing.



26.2 In all well drilling, production and maintenance operations, Contractor shall:



(a) Not drill a well in such a manner that it passes through an underground vertical plane of the

boundary of the Production Area.



(b) Install and keep in good working order blow-out preventers on all wells, and in accordance with the prescribed procedure, test such equipment from time to time and maintain records thereof.



(c) Use drilling mud of proper specifications and in appropriate quantities in order to prevent the blowout of Petroleum from any well.



(d) Take cutting samples at intervals not exceeding ten meters a part or as directed by the Ministry of Industry throughout the depth of the well while drilling wells. Such samples shall be labeled with the number and the relevant interval of depths of the concerned well.



(e) In cases where core samples are taken, the cores shall be split and placed in core boxes in

stratigraphic order. The body of each core box shall be accurately labelled with number of cores, the depth of top and bottom intervals of the cores, percentage of core recovery, and the name of the well.

(f) Make available to the Ministry of Industry within a reasonable time period one set each of cutting and core samples taken under clause (d) and (e).



27. FLOW RATE MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT AND METHOD



27.1 In the production of Crude Oil or Natural Gas, Contractor shall install equipment for measuring the rate of the Crude Oil or Natural Gas of the type as prescribed by the Ministry of Industry.



27.2 The method of installation of equipment under sub-article 27.1 or procedure for measurement, calculation and calibration of the rate of flow of Crude Oil or Natural Gas shall be as prescribed by the Ministry of Industry.



27.3 The basis and procedure for determination of the specific gravity and average temperature of Crude Oil and the quantity of sediment and water in Crude Oil shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Industry.



27.4 In the event equipment for measuring the rate of flow of Crude Oil or Natural Gas is damaged or unable to be used for any reason, Contractor shall evaluate the rate of flow by using the best available data, as approved by the Ministry of Industry.



27.5 A Contractor shall submit to the Ministry of Industry a report of the calibration of equipment for measurement of rate of flow of Crude Oil or Natural Gas in the form prescribed by the Ministry of Industry within seven days from the date of l completion of calibration.



28. CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND USE OF PERMANENT FACILITIES



28.1 Contractor shall construct, operate, repair and maintain all facilities required in a Production Area in connection with Petroleum Operations.



28.2 Contractor shall have the right to construct, operate, repair and maintain road, pipe-line and other transportation, communication and storage facilities outside a Production Area necessary for Petroleum Operations subject to prior approval of work program and budget by the Ministry of Industry and the acquisition of area required for such operations.



28.3 If the Cambodian Government undertakes the construction, operation, repair and maintenance of the facilities described in sub-article 28.2, Contractor shall have the right to use such facilities for appropriate tariffs as fixed by the Government.



28.4 The Cambodian Government or other persons may use the facilities constructed under sub-article



28.1 or 28.2 in such a way as not to impair the work of Contractor and as mentioned in a

Petroleum Agreement.



28.5 All permanent facilities constructed and all other assets other than those which are leased or imported for temporary use, which are permanently installed for the exploration, production,

treatment, transportation or storage of Petroleum, shall become the property of the Cambodian

Government upon completion of construction or installation.



28.6 The Cambodian Government may order a Contractor to remove at the cost of Contractor, all or part of the facilities and other assets described in sub-article 28.5 at the end of Petroleum

Agreement.



28.7 Title to the facilities and assets removed under sub-article 28.6 shall pass to Contractor



29. WORK UPON COMPLETION OF PETROLEUM OPERATIONS



After completion of Petroleum Operations in any area or after the expiry of the duration of Petroleum Agreement or after the termination of the Petroleum Agreement, Contractor shall perform the following work at its own cost:



(a) Restore the area used for Petroleum Operations to its original condition, unless otherwise

instructed by the Ministry of Industry.



(b) Erect walls or fences around any holes, pits, trenches, or wells in order to prevent any possible danger to persons or animals.



(c) Remove all structures, foundations, machinery, equipment, and other materials which are of no further use, unless otherwise instructed by the Ministry of Industry.

CHAPTER VII: REPORT AND INFORMATION



30. REPORTS AND INFORMATION



30.1 Contractor shall submit to the Ministry of Industry the following reports and information concerning Petroleum Operations undertaken by it.



(a) Monthly, quarterly and annual reports.

(b) Reports on magnetic and gravity surveys.

(c) Reports on surface geological surveys.

(d) Report on seismic data and interpretations thereof.

(e) Reports on drilling operations.

(f) Reports on investigation of Petroleum reserves, Field limits and economic evaluations.

(g) Reports on production of Petroleum.

(h) Safety programs and reports on accidents.

(i) Procurement plans for goods and services, and copies of all contracts with

Subcontractors.

(j) Design criteria, specifications, maps and construction records.

(k) Reports of technical investigations relating to Petroleum Operations.

(l) Statements of Petroleum Costs.

(m) Reports on education and training programs.

(n) Such other reports as may be required according to the accounting procedures

prescribed by the Cambodian Government .

(o) Any other reports as may be required by the Ministry of Industry.



30.2 Contractor shall submit to the Ministry of Industry all other samples, reports, documents, data and information which are required under Petroleum Agreement.



31. MAGNETIC AND GRAVITY SURVEYS



31.1 Contractor shall submit the following to the Ministry of Industry concerning magnetic and gravity surveys:



(a) Flight path maps in 150,000 and 1:250,000 scales.

(b) Aerial magnetic recording tapes.

(c) of equipment used in the magnetic and gravity surveys.

(e) Reports on Daily records of the earth's magnetic fields.

(d) Specifications the interpretation of clause (a), (b) and (c) together with maps showing the

intensity of magnetic and/or gravity and depth of basement, and structural maps in both

transparencies and paper prints at scales used by Contractor as well as 150,000 and

1250,000 scales.



31.2 Reports on clauses (a), (b), (c), and (d) shall be submitted within thirty (30) days after completion of the magnetic and gravity surveys, and reports on clause (e) shall be submitted within ninety (90) thereof



32. SURFACE GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS



Contractor shall submit the results of surface geological surveys within a reasonable time but in any case not later than six months after the completion of the survey including but not limited to:



(a) Geological maps in scales used by contractor and at scales of 150,000 and 1,250,000 and maps showing the location of the collection of samples in 150,000 scale in both transparencies and paper prints.



(b) Analysis of Petroleum reservoirs specifying the rock types, petrology, permeability and porosity.



(c) Petroleum source rocks analysis, consisting of total organic carbon contents, types and maturity.



(d) Paleontology analysis, stratigraphy, and environment of deposition.



33. SEISMIC SURVEYS



33.1 Contractor shall submit the following in relation to seismic surveys:



(a) Source and receiver pattern diagrams.

(b) Specifications of equipment used in seismic surveys.

(c) Maps showing permanent marks used in the survey in 150,000 scale.

(d) Seismic shot point maps at Contractor's scales and also at 150,000 and 1,250,000 scales,

if used by Contractor, in both transparencies and paper prints.



(e) Source wave form characteristic analysis.

(f) Weathering profile.

(g) Magnetic field tapes and final processed tapes; and reprocessed tapes if they have been

used for reinterpretation and/or location of well(s).



(h) Seismic sections processed and reprocessed in both transparencies and paper prints at

scales of one second per ten centimeters and one second per five centimeters vertical

scale.



(i) Copies of all seismic sections interpreted and reinterpreted by Contractor.

(j) Velocity analysis and interval velocities at each shot point location which Contractor has

determined.



(k) Seismic interpretation of every horizon which Contractor has interpreted, including

thickness, structure, facies, environment, geochemical maturity and any other interpretive

maps which Contractor has constructed during the course of his study.



(l) Maps prepared under clauses (j) and (k) at the scales used by Contractor as well as

1,250,000.



33.2 Reports on clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i) shall be submitted as soon as possible after the acquisition of the seismic profiles and in no case later than sixty (60) days after the interpretation of the seismic profile.



33.3 Reports on clauses (j), (k) and (l) shall be submitted within ninety (90) days after completion of the interpretation.



34. DRILLING OF EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION WELLS



Contractor shall submit the following details to the Ministry of Industry in regard to the drilling of exploration and production wells within the following time-limits:



(a) A daily report within 13:00 hours of the following day, which must contain the following details:



1. Names of well and Contractor.

2. Date and time of operation.

3. Name of drilling rig.

4. Days of previous operation on the particular well.

5. Depth of well at time of report.

6. Diameter of well.

7. Type and size of drill bit.

8. Deviation of well.

9. Type, weight, and specification of drilling mud.

10. Operation and problems during previous 24 hours.

11. Lithology within previous 24 hours

12. Petroleum found.

13. Type, size, weight and depth of casing.

14. Cementing.

15. Pressure test of Petroleum blow-out preventer, casing and other related equipment.

16. Well logging, including type and depth of logging.

17. Core sampling.

18. Flow test and the depth thereof.

19. Well abandonment.

20. Drilling rig, released.

21. Conditions of weather.



(b) A complete suite of continuously spliced well logs at a scale of 1:1,000 in transparency and paper print within thirty (30) days of the completion of the logging operations in addition to the well logs at various scales which are received in the normal course of logging.



(c) The well completion report shall be submitted within ninety (90) days after the completion of a well. In case there are clear reasons and basis due to which the report could not be submitted

within the said period, the Ministry of Industry may extend the period by additional ninety (90)

days. This report shall include a complete description of the results of the well, test results, details of geology and lithology, log interpretation results, including formulae and methods of calculations, and petroleum, water and pressure analyses. The well completion log shall be at a scale of 11,000 and shall consist of:



1. Log curves.

2. Lithologic descriptions.

3. Formation tops.

4. Velocity information.

5. Shows and tests.

6. Casing and plugs.

7. Cores.

8. Paleontologic and palynologic markers.

9. Environment of deposition.

10. Other information which Contractor has plotted on its own well logs and which contributes

to the interpretation of the results of the well.



35. PETROLEUM PRODUCTION



Contractor shall submit the following details to the Ministry of Industry in regard to Petroleum production within the following time-limits:



(a) A daily report within 13:00 hours of the following day, with following details:



1. Amount of Petroleum produced.

2. Amount of Petroleum stored, sold, or disposed.

3. Amount of Petroleum used as fuel.

4. Amount of Petroleum flared.

5. Gravity and viscosity.

6. Vapour pressure.

7. Pour point.

8. Dew-point and composition of Natural Gas.

9. Impurities.

10. Water produced and result of the analysis.

11. Tubing and casing pressure.

12. Choke size.

13. Well test.

14. Operation during the previous 24 hours.



(b) Workover report, giving reasons, length and details of work over within thirty (30) days after the completion of the workover.



(c) Stimulation report, stating methods and details of materials used for the purpose within thirty (30)

days after the completion of operations.



(d) Bottom hole pressure test report within fifteen (15) days after the completion of the test.



(e) Production test report including details of calculation within thirty (30) days after completion of the test.



(f) Reports concerning petroleum reserves, limits of the field, and economic evaluation(s) (as

specified in Development Work).

CHAPTER VIII: SURFACE RENTAL BONUS, AND OTHER FEES



36. SURFACE RENTAL AND OTHER FEES



Contractor shall pay surface rental and other fees to the Cambodian Government in Dollars at the rates mentioned in Schedule 3.



37. CALCULATION OF SURFACE RENTAL



All payments of surface rental shall be computed on a Calendar Year basis, reduced prorata to reflect rights to areas for less than a full Calendar Year. Each payment shall be accompanied by a summary which indicates its basis of computation. If during any Calendar Year a change occurs in the area of the Contract Area which results in a change the payment due, the payment for the following Calendar Year shall be adjusted accordingly to compensate for the change.



38. TIME FOR PAYING SURFACE RENTAL



Contractor shall pay surface rental for the first Calendar Year within a period of thirty (30) days after the Effective Date, and for each successive Calendar Year within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the Calendar Year.



39. SIGNATURE AND PRODUCTION BONUS



Any signature bonus shall be paid within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date and any production bonuses shall be paid within ninety (90) days of the Commercial Production Day, if the Petroleum Agreement includes the provision for such payments.

CHAPTER IX: INSPECTION AND INVESTIGATIONS



40. INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS



40.1 An Inspector may at any time visit any contract Area and initiate inspections and investigations.



40.2 An Inspector may take necessary equipment and personnel along with him while undertaking inspections and investigations under sub-article 40.1.



41. POWER TO DEMAND CLARIFICATION



In course of inspections and investigations in case it is found that a Contractor has failed to perform his work in accordance with these Regulations or the Petroleum Agreement, or it is found to have committed any irregularities, the Inspector may ask for clarification from Contractor in respect thereof, and Contractor shall give a written explanation within the time prescribed by the Inspector.



42. INSPECTION AND INVESTIGATION REPORTS



42.1 An Inspector shall submit the report of inspections and investigations to the Ministry of Industry within the time limit prescribed by the Ministry of Industry.



42.2 After receiving reports under sub-article 42.1, the Ministry of Industry may issue necessary directives to Contractor, and it shall be Contractor' s duty to comply with them.

CHAPTER X: ADVISORY BOARD



43. CONSTITUTION OF PETROLEUM ADVISORY BOARD



43.1 A Petroleum Advisory Board comprising the following members shall be constituted for advising the Cambodian Government on matters relating to Petroleum Operations:



(a) Minister of Industry, Chairman

(b) Secretary of State and/or Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Planning, Member

(c) Secretary of State and/or Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Industry, Member

(d) Secretary of State and/or Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Finance, Member

(e) Secretary of State and/or Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Member

(f) Secretary of State and/or Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Member

(g) Secretary of state and/or Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior, Member

(h) Secretary of State and/or Under Secretary of State, Ministry of National Defense, Member

(I) Secretary of State and/or Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Environment, Member

(j) Secretary of State and/or Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affair and

International Cooperation, Member

(k) Secretary of State and/or Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Public Work and

Transportation, Member

(l) Representative of the Cambodian Development Council, Member

(m) Termination of Petroleum Agreements

(n) Any other matters referred by the Cambodia Government



43.2 The Cambodian Government may change the size or the composition of the Board Constituted under sub-article 43.1 by a notification published in the Cambodian Gazette.



43.3 The Board may, if it so deems necessary, invite any local or foreign individual who is wellacquainted with the Petroleum industry to participate in its meetings in the capacity of an

observer.



44. FUNCTIONS DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE BOARD



The duty of the Board shall be to advise the Cambodian Government on the following matters:



(a) Selection of Contractor to carry out Petroleum Operations.

(b) Amendments of Petroleum Agreements.

(c) Extension of Production Periods.

(d) Participation by the Cambodian Government in Petroleum Operations.

(e) Supply of Petroleum to meet internal demand.

(f) Imposition of temporary ban on the export of Petroleum.

(g) Marketing of Government's Entitlement to Petroleum.

(h) Transfers of rights and obligations by Contractors.

(i) Joint Venture arrangements.

(j) Arbitration.

(k) Termination of Petroleum Agreements.

(l) Any other matters referred by the Cambodian Government.



45. MEETINGS AND PROCEDURE OF THE BOARD



45.1 Meetings of the Board shall be held at the time and venue specified by the Chairman.



45.2 Meetings of the Board shall be presided over by the Chairman, and, in his absence, by a person designated by the Chairman, or by a person selected by the members in case the Chairman has not designated any person to preside over the meeting.



45.3 The opinion of the majority shall be binding at meetings of the Board. In the event of a tie, the person presiding over the meeting may exercise a casting vote.



45.4 The Member-Secretary shall record and certify the decisions of the Board.



45.5 Other procedures of the Board shall be as determined by the Board.

CHAPTER XI: GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION



46. RIGHT OF PARTICIPATION



The Cambodian Government shall have the right to participate in Petroleum Operations under Petroleum Agreements, to the extent of the percentage interest specified in a Petroleum Agreement.



47. PROCEDURE FOR PARTICIPATION



The procedures for participation by the Cambodian Government in Petroleum Operations under a Petroleum Agreement shall be as specified in the Petroleum Agreement.



48. REIMBURSEMENT OF THE EXPENDITURE



In case the Cambodian Government participates in Petroleum Operations, it shall reimburse to Contractor its share of Petroleum Costs without interest incurred by Contractor up to the time the Cambodian Government elects to participate, on the terms specified in the Petroleum Agreement. However, in no.case shall the Cambodian Government reimburse any share of expenses incurred by Contractor for training and education, bonus and any other payments made by Contractor to the Cambodian Government.



49. OPERATING AGREEMENT



In case the Cambodian Government participates in Petroleum Operations under a Petroleum Agreement, an operating Agreement shall be concluded between the Cambodian Government and contractor according to international oil industry practice.

CHAPTER XII: MISCELLANEOUS



50. POWER TO SELL DATA INFORMATION. ETC.



The Ministry of Industry shall have the power to sell geo-physical and geological data, maps, reports, and analyses, as well as other information relating to Exploration Blocks opened for Petroleum Operations.



51. BASIC DATA AND SAMPLES TO BE KEPT IN THE STATE OF CAMBODIA



Contractor shall keep all basic data and samples, and reports relating thereto, obtained in the course of Petroleum Operations in the State of Cambodia, except in cases in which Ministry of Industry grants permission for taking them out of the State of Cambodia for tests, analysis and evaluation.



52. FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED



The Ministry of Industry shall have the right to assign representatives to observe all Petroleum Operations and to assist Contractors, and Contractors shall bear the reasonable costs of such representatives.



53. GUARANTEES TO BE FURNISHED



Contractor must provide a guarantee of a financial institution acceptable to the Cambodian Government to secure performance of its work obliga tions under a Petroleum Agreement.



54. CONFIDENTIALITY

All information, documents, data and materials acquired by a Contractor during Petroleum Operations shall be kept confidential in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum m A Agreement.



55. VALUATION OF PETROLEUM



Petroleum is to be valued according to objective standards. Exported crude oil is to be valued at weighted average realized price received in arm's length transactions in freely convertible currencies from nonaffiliated third parties, not involving barter or other special considerations.



56. UNITIZATION



In cases in which joint development and operation of one or more Fields is desirable to conserve

Petroleum resources and to facilitate development more economically, the Ministry of Industry shall have the right to order one or more Contractors to jointly develop an area under a joint operating program approved by the Ministry of Industry.



57. USE OF ASSOCIATED NATURAL GAS



In case a Contractor who is producing Crude Oil determines that it will not be commercial to develop Natural Gas found in association with Crude Oil, the Cambodian Government has the right to take and utilize such gas as described in the Petroleum Agreement.



58. NOTIFICATIONS TO BE PUBLISHED



Notifications relating to the following issues shall be published in the Cambodian Gazette.



(a) Invitations for bids to undertake Petroleum Operations.

(b) Signing of Petroleum Agreement.

(c) Relinquishment of area by Contractor.

(d) Issue of Production Permit to Contractor.

59. CHARGE TO BE COMPLIED WITH THIS REGULATION



The Minister of the Cabinet of the Council of Ministers, The Ministry of Industry, the Ministers of related Ministries, the Presidents of the city and Province's Councils must be in charge to comply with this regulation.



60. THESE REGULATIONS SHALL COME INTO FORCE AS FROM THE SIGNATURE DATE.

PhnomPenh, September 28, 1992 For the Council of Ministers

Vice-President CHEA SOTH , SCHEDULE 2: SURFACE RENTAL AND OTHER FEES



(a) Annual Surface Rental Rate (Dollars)



1. For area other than area under Production Area during

initial Exploration Period, per square kilometer 10



2. For area other than area under Production Area during

the first extension of Exploration Period, per square kilometer 20



3. For area other than area under Production Area

during additional extension of Exploration Period, per square kilometer 40



4. For areas within Production Areas, per square kilometer 500

(b) Other Fees



1. For each extension of an Exploration Period 100,000

2. For each Production Permit 10,000

3. For any adjustment to a Production Permit 10,000

4. For extension of Production Period 250,000

5. For transfer of any right for Petroleum Operation 75,000

6. Survey fees at cost

7. Boundary demarcation at cost

--------------------------------

Best Oil Plays in 2008

( The Young Tigers of Oil )

The three Young Tigers of Oil for all they’re worth. We’re talking about Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

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Vietnam already pumped nearly 1 billion barrels of crude as of 2005 -- up from an estimated 130 million barrels in 2004. Most of these wells are offshore and include the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa group of basins.

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Best Oil Plays: Pakistan Could Ignite Profits in Cambodia

The instability around Pakistan could also reap gains for oil investors in Cambodia.

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Best Oil Plays: Thailand Output Up 500%

To the north, Thailand's crude oil output is expected to reach 30,000 barrels a day by next year -- a 500% increase from 2007. The boost is attributed to $300 million and $500 million in new investments, according to Thailand’s Department of Mineral Fuels.

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