31.   Both Russia and China have already signed deals to develop fields in southern Iraq.

32.   Byrne said Minpetro has the rights to commercially develop the field through a technical services agreement with Russian joint stock company Siboil.

33.   Egypt was currently in contact with an Italian company, which was developing natural gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea.

34.   Even if Shell has found much oil, it remains unclear whether the field can be commercially developed.

35.   Exxon insisted on special treatment because of the high cost of developing the field.

36.   ENI had offered one-tenth the sum up front for the rights to develop the fields, industry sources said.

37.   Enron has the franchise to develop natural gas fields in Qatar.

38.   Freeport McMoran agreed to buy an interest in Busang and act as its sole operator since Bre-X lacked the size and technical expertise to develop the field.

39.   Houston-based Conoco will develop the field in partnership with Ocean Energy Inc.

40.   In a news release, Norsk Hydro said the contract is contingent on government approval of plans to develop the field.