1.   Several other oil companies, including Amoco, Repsol, and Hocol have had their exploratory work delayed due to disputes with native groups, Occidental said.

2.   Phillips is scheduled to begin exploratory work early next year.

3.   The day after Christmas, the U.S. Forest Service and the state of Montana issued permits allowing Sterling Mining Co. of Spokane, Washington, to begin exploratory work.

4.   The WTO must decide whether to start initial exploratory work on the issue.