11.   Both China and Vietnam have awarded oil exploration contracts to U.S. companies in disputed zones outside the Spratlys.

12.   But companies seeking oil exploration contracts or planning to build electricity plants still must cope with a lumbering bureaucracy and an Indian tradition of greeting outsiders with suspicion.

13.   But France and Russia are negotiating with Iraq for lucrative oil exploration contracts once sanctions are lifted.

14.   Delegations of French executives visited Iraq twice this year, and two French oil companies, Total and Elf-Aquitaine, have signed exploration contracts.

15.   Dozens of exploration contracts were delayed while authorities waited for the outcome of the independent study.

16.   Earlier, Argentina had threatened legal action against companies that bid without its consent for oil exploration contracts around the Falkland Islands.

17.   Eleven areas throughout Bolivia are being opened up for the exploration contracts.

18.   Exxon is a partner in several other exploration contracts in the oil-rich central African country with other companies such as Shell, Elf and Agip.

19.   Firms from Russia, China and France are negotiating lucrative oil exploration contracts with Iraq that would take effect once U.N. sanctions are lifted.

20.   France and Russia are negotiating with Iraq for lucrative oil exploration contracts once sanctions are lifted.