BP oil spill planet killer

By Michael Webster: Syndicated Investigative reporter.  

Millions of listeners heard on the popular Coast to Coast Am radio show recently that the BP oil spill is a planet killer. Talk show host Ian Punnett welcomed two guests, Jim Bell during the second hour and Minister Lindsey Williams in the 3rd hour, for a discussion on the Gulf oil crisis as well as alternative energy. In the second hour, Minister Lindsey Williams, who once served as a chaplain for the oil companies operating in Alaska, shared what he claimed to be the "real story" behind the Gulf oil crisis. He explained that, in the 1970's, Russia drilled over 40,000 feet into the ground and discovered abiotic oil, i.e. oil which replenishes itself via an as-yet-unknown natural chemical process. The off-shore drilling done by BP in the Gulf of Mexico, Williams said, was their attempt to create a similar super-deep well and access this same abiotic oil. However, according to his sources, BP insiders and U.S. Government officials the pressure from this pocket of abiotic oil in the Gulf was so great that it burst all the safety valves on the floating platform.     According to writer Jose Lugo i

Williams went on to allege that oil industry insiders believe that the only method to stop the flow of oil in the Gulf is via a nuclear device and even that has potential for catastrophic results. Bell, who rejoined the conversation in the fourth hour, agreed with Williams about the potential danger of using a nuke to thwart the spill because it could "pop the bubble" and cause all of the underground oil to emerge simultaneously. On the potential long term effects of the crisis if the flow of oil is not stopped, Bell speculated that it could reach Europe within three years through the Gulf Stream. Additionally, Williams observed that the overwhelming amount of dangerous gasses, which are also being released from the disaster, could be swept along the East Coast should a hurricane arrive in the Gulf. Williams stated that those same dangerous pollutants are in the air in alarming amounts and getting more dangerous everyday. He further indicated that the oil pressure coming up the oil deep water pipe was running between 20,000 and 70,000 PSI. Last night on the Coast to coast Am show Science Advisor Richard C. Hoagland commented on the oil spill in the Gulf. He warned listeners that an even worse catastrophe could be looming if a giant gas bubble that has formed at the site of the leak on the ocean floor should blow. Hoagland said the pressure in the pipe is 100,000 or more lbs of pressure per square inch or PSI. Both agreed that BP nor anyone else knows how to shop this amount of pressure coming from the largest and deepest underwater oil well on earth.

Williams said "that the dangers from this run away well is a planet killer and we may not be able to stop it." Mankind could be doomed.

Bell, who calls himself an "ecological designer," blamed the oil spill on a corporate culture which focuses on making a profit by way of "taking short cuts" that, ultimately, result in situations such as the one in the Gulf of Mexico. He put forward the notion that the ideal scenario to break free of corporate controlled energy is to aggressively pursue efficient solutions which would make the transition away from oil easier and faster. Using solar power as an example, he theorized that, with good leadership, it would take about 40 years for such a transition to take place.

n the movie Armageddon, there was a scene where Steve Buscemi who played the part of a reluctant-hero-astronaut and while sitting and waiting for liftoff, he uttered a profound philosophical statement;   "Hey Harry, you know we're sitting on 4 million pounds of fuel, one nuclear weapon and a thing that has 270,000 moving parts built by the lowest bidder, makes you feel good doesn't it"?   In the movie, this statement was made by an oil drilling roughneck to other roughnecks; but it says so much about the oil business and today's corporate culture. It's the reckless, do it quick, cheap and dirty routine.   Lugo went on to say that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster is a case in point. The disaster started with an explosion that nobody was ready for. Then the oil companies (BP and Transatlantic) discovered that they had absolutely "NO PLANS" to handle the unfolding disaster, they had to think things up as they went along. They had only one shut off station in one location, that malfunctioned! Reckless, quick, cheap and dirty!   Williams said that the amount of oil gushing from the well is much greater than BP and the amount the Government is reporting as only one million gallons a day. Both guests surmised that the more accurate amount gushing from the well is in the millions of barrels. Why didn't they have shut off valves along the pipe line?  They did but all the system was overwhelmed by the great pressure of the blow out.   But the most anguishing question remains, "Why didn't they have a back-up plan?" Things happen in the ocean--hurricanes, sinking ships, equipment breakdowns, Murphy's Law etc.. Why didn't they have plans for these possible disasters? Because no commercial company has ever drilled that deep before this is a super-deep well with a mile of sea water on top of it. The pressures alone at those depths are enormous and may have contributed to the failures.   During the program it come out that there are multiple holes in the pipe and that more oil is gushing from fissures as far away from the well head as 20 miles.

Hoagland said that at the sea bed at the well for miles around it is a bubble and it is growing, believed to be pressure from a huge natural gas build up that could blow at any time and kill many there and in the general area working to stop the rush of the largest out of control oil leak that man has ever known.

Michael Webster's Syndicated Investigative Reports have been read worldwide, in 100 or more U.S. outlets and in at least 136 countries and territories. He publishes articles in association with global news agencies and media information services with more than 350 news affiliates in 136 countries. Many of Mr. Webster's articles are printed in six working languages: English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish. With ten more languages planed in the near future.

Mr. Webster is America's leading authority on Venture Capital/Equity Funding. He served as a trustee on some of the nation's largest trade Union funds. A noted Author, Lecturer, Educator, Emergency Manager, Counter-Terrorist, War on Drugs and War on Terrorist Specialist, Business Consultant, Newspaper Publisher. Radio News caster. Labor Law generalist, Teamster Union Business Agent, General Organizer, Union Rank and File Member Grievances Representative, NLRB Union Representative, Union Contract Negotiator, Workers Compensation Appeals Board Hearing Representative. Mr. Webster represented management on that side of the table as the former Director of Federated of Nevada.   (ArticlesBase SC #2642727)

Hydraulic Technology For Mining And Construction

Hydraulic technology is constantly being updated and designed for multiple reasons, including purposes such as mining and construction. On this continent hydraulic technology is used quite often, and most recently for a project relating to the North West Shelf Project. A custom hydraulic machine was built by Enerpac for lifting and positioning extremely heavy anchors that went to the bottom of the ocean floor. This type of technology is often useful for such projects where heavy lifting is required. There are constantly projects going on in Australia that require special equipment and technology that is suitable for aggressive or challenging environments such as underwater in the ocean.

Strength and reliability are two of the most important factors that go into building hydraulic technology that is to be used for jobs that require only the best, most durable pieces of equipment. There are numerous engineers who study and contribute to the designing of these hydraulic pieces of machinery, lending their expertise to this field that is constantly expanding and developing. There are also a number of hydraulic equipment manufacturers in Australia, namely Melbourne, which specialize in the production of such popular brands as Aeroquip, SMC, and Hydac. These are names which are easily recognizable in this field and trusted as well.

With the constant developing and manufacturing of this technology, heavy duty work such as in the North West Shelf Project, becomes easier and more efficient. These Australian hydraulic manufacturers provide many services to businesses who require them, for example honing/polishing, overall for pumps and motors, as well as steel fabrication. These are services which are commonly taken advantage of in this area of the world, simply because of all the demand for them in projects that are being planned all the time. They require the kind of intense and durable equipment that only hydraulic technology can provide.

This kind of technology also exists to improve the transportation sector. In order to make transportation a little bit more green and less toxic to the environment, Australia is implementing the use of hydraulic technology to improve their standing in the world of transportation. It has immense potential and continues to be developed and improved upon each day. In the near future it is expected that the use of hydraulic technology will improve the staggering statistics which suggest that Australia's transportation sector is to blame for a significant amount of green house gas emissions.

With more and more businesses and governments going green around the world, Australia certainly feels the pressure to jump on board as well. This is why hydraulic technology is being utilized and designed for the benefit of not just private businesses, but also the general public as well. It is a concern that everyone shares and one that hydraulics might have the answer to.     (ArticlesBase SC #2719839)

BP has begun an operation

BP has begun an operation to fit a tighter cap over its blown-out oil well in the Gulf of Mexico. An underwater robot has taken off the existing dome to make room for the new sealing cap.

But the operation may last between four and seven days - meaning oil will flow unimpeded into the sea.

Another system is also being linked up and may start collecting crude on Sunday, BP says. It is drilling two wells to intercept and block the leak.

BBC reports that BP estimates the first of these wells will be finished in the first half of August, enabling the company to intercept the damaged well "and kill operations performed".

The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig in April killed 11 people. President Barack Obama has called the leak the biggest environmental disaster in US history.

BP's submersible robots are preparing to remove the current containment cap from the ocean floor.

The new sealing cap - similar to a smaller version of the damaged blow-out preventer - has three devices that are designed to shut the flow, the closing rams, and multiple ports for connecting pipes to collect crude.

According to BP, the new cap "creates the potential to increase oil and gas containment capacity to greater than 50,000 barrels per day and should improve containment efficiency during hurricane season by allowing shorter disconnect and reconnect times".

The company said that "there can be no assurance that the sealing cap will be successfully installed or installed within the anticipated timeframe", given it has never been attempted at this depth before.

It added that contingency caps like the existing one are at the ready on the seabed, should the replacement operation fail.

The company also said that favourable weather conditions had made it possible to begin another operation in tandem - connecting a new ship to the blow-out preventer.

Known as the Helix Producer, it will begin collecting oil and sending it to a third ship being used for the purpose.

BP says this could begin "ramping up containment operations as early as Sunday".

The containment dome currently collects about half the amount of oil gushing out of the damaged well.

On Friday, the Coast Guard commander overseeing the response, Adm Thad Allen, said the flow of leaking oil could be shut off by Monday. But in that time hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil could flow unabated into the ocean.

"We have a significant chance to dramatically reduce the oil that's being released into the environment and maybe shut the well in altogether in the next week," he said.

"I use the word 'contained'," said Adm Allen. "'Stop' is when we put the plug in down below."

At the moment it is believed that BP is siphoning off only around half the leaking oil.

Current US government estimates of the spill range from between 35,000 to 60,000 barrels a day.

On Thursday BP said its operation to drill a new relief well to stop the Deepwater Horizon leak was ahead of schedule.

BP's bill so far has been more than $3.1bn - and it has agreed to set up a $20 billion fund to deal with compensation claims and clean-up costs.     (ArticlesBase SC #2818374)

Causes of Oil Spills

When an oil spill occurs, it results in huge environmental disasters and monetary loss. Oil spills can be caused by many things. Carelessness or deliberate dumping by humans and natural causes such as floods, hurricanes, and storms are a few of them.

Most of the oil spills occur when oil is transported across the ocean. Accidents involving tankers, barges, or refineries result in oil spills. These accidents may occur due to several reasons such as explosions, running aground, hull failure, and collisions. Cracks that develop in the underground pipelines that transport oil can also result in oil seepage into the environment. Oil spills also occur during lightering, the process of transferring oil from one vessel to another.

Not just during transportation; oil spills also occur during different phases of production. For instance, they may occur during extraction process in oil wells or conversion process in refineries. Drilling also causes natural seepage of oil.

The majority of the accidents occur due to human error or carelessness, which fall under controlled factors. In a study conducted by Nuka Research and Planning Group of Homer, Alaska, it was found that 80 percent of oil spills and marine accidents were caused by human error. According to the study, though improvement in technology can help reduce the severity of the spill, it cannot altogether prevent one from happening.

Human mistakes are not the only reason for such accidents. They may also occur due to breakdown of machinery or intentional spills due to vandalism or wars. Illegal dumping of oil is also an important factor that needs to be mentioned.

Apart from these controlled factors, there are several uncontrolled factors such as hurricanes and other stormy weather conditions that cause oil spills. Another natural cause is the shifting of tectonic plates. When this happens, oil from the reserves below the ocean floor are released into the environment.

Though nothing can be done about the uncontrolled factors, steps must be taken to make sure that oil spills don’t occur due to mistakes on our part.    (ArticlesBase SC #1286132)

Plasma arc waste disposal

Principle of Operation

Relatively high voltage, high current electricity is passed between two electrodes, spaced apart, creating an electrical arc. Inert gas under pressure is passed through the arc into a sealed container of waste material, reaching temperatures as high as 25,000 F (13,900 C) in the arc column. The temperature a few feet from the torch can be as high as 5,0008,000 F (2,7604,427 C). At these temperatures, most types of waste are broken into basic elemental components in a gaseous form, and complex molecules are separated into individual atoms.

The reactor operates at a slightly negative pressure, meaning that the feed system is complemented by a gaseous removal system, and later a solid removal system. Depending on the input waste (plastics tend to be high in hydrogen and carbon), gas from the plasma containment can be removed as syngas, and may be refined into various fuels at a later stage.

The latest independent review of plasma technology providers was undertaken by Juniper Consulting in 2008, as well as a separate independent review on Alter NRG /Westinghouse technology.

Existing facilities

National Cheng Kung University - Tainan City, Taiwan (PEAT International)

PEAT International constructed a plasma arc waste disposal facility at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan City, Taiwan, which uses its proprietary Plasma Thermal Destruction Recovery method. The facility is able to handle 35 metric tons (3.35.5 short tons) of waste per day from a variety of waste streams, including incinerator fly ash, medical waste, organic industrial process waste and inorganic sludges. It can also process waste consumer batteries and other materials, including heavy metal sludges, and refinery catalysts (waste streams that would generate valuable metal alloys). The facility was constructed as part of a comprehensive resource recovery facility funded by the Taiwanese government, marking the first time the Government of Taiwan committed financial and technical resources to the utilization of plasma technology. It was commissioned in November 2004 and received its operating permit in January, 2005. PEAT has been an active participant in the operations and maintenance of the facility on behalf of NCKU for its research purposes.

Yoshii, Utashinai, and Mihama-Mikata, Japan (Hitachi Metals Ltd.)

Three similar small plants are in operation in Japan a 166-short-ton (151,000 kg) per day "pilot" plant in Yoshii, co-developed by Hitachi Metals Ltd. and Westinghouse Plasma, which was certified after a demonstration period in 19992000; a 165-short-ton (150,000 kg) per day plant in Utashinai City, completed in 2002; and a 28-short-ton (25,000 kg) per day plant commissioned by the twin cities of Mihama and Mikata in 2002. Two similar facilities run by different companies in Australia and Germany closed after changes in senior management.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Plasco Energy Group Inc.)

A new and different type of plasma arc waste conversion that uses plasma to refine gases produced during waste conversion, rather than to destroy waste by brute force as do other plasma systems, has yet to show itself to be successful on a full commercial scale. Plasco Energy Group completed a plasma-arc waste demonstration plant in Ottawa, Canada at the Trail Road Landfill, to process 85 metric tons (94 short tons) per day of municipal solid waste. Unlike other plasma waste processing facilities, Plasco Energy Group's process does not use plasma to destroy waste, but rather to refine gases produced during waste conversion, in order to allow them to be used to run an internal combustion gas engine. On 24 October 2007, the Plasco Trail Road facility began delivering power to the grid.

The Plasco conversion system, which uses plasma to refine gases rather than expose them to extremely high temperatures, and whose liner is composed of refractory brick rather than metal, is not susceptible to premature attack of vessel liners. Plasco's internal studies claim that its emissions are also much lower than any other thermal waste processing system. By converting waste to CO2 and water, rather than to methane, the greenhouse gas emissions of the process might be much less than competing technologies such as landfills. Plasco Energy is proposing a scaled up residual waste plasma gasification facility for Los Angeles, California.
In an update to local area residents on 6 December 2008, Plasco president Rod Bryden said delays at its facility were caused by malfunctioning machinery, not problems with the waste-to-energy technology.

Faringdon, Oxfordshire, England (Advanced Plasma Power)

Advanced Plasma Power has built a Gasplasma modular test facility in Faringdon, Oxfordshire that uses refuse-derived fuel feedstock to produce hydrogen, syngas, energy and vitrified gravel. APP have also commissioned a commercial test facility in Swindon, Wiltshire and have plans for a larger 100,000-tonnes/yr-sized commercial or municipal gasplasma facility in the UK.

Swindon, Wiltshire APP

The heart of this technology, the Gasplasma process, forms the basis of APP Swindon Plant, the first Gasplasma facility in the world. Gasplasma is the sequential use of gasification, plasma gas treatment, syngas polishing and gas engine power generation.

A full scale plant will treat 100,000 short tons (91,000 t) per annum of municipal waste and produce:

Enough power for 10,000 homes

Enough heat for around 700 homes

over 99% landfill diversion of feedstock with minimal residues and emissions

Increase recycling rates by over 20%

High performance, high-value aggregate glass (trademark Plasmarok)

Novel combination of three existing and proven technologies (termed Gasplasma)

Negative carbon footprint and lowest environmental impact plant and building

A full scale plant will be 150 metres (490 ft) long, 50 metres (160 ft) wide, and along most of its length only 11 metres (36 ft) high. Above the thermal plant, the roof height is about 14 metres (46 ft), and the single exhaust for the engines 10 metres (33 ft) higher, at only 34 metres (110 ft). The building is approximately the size of a supermarket store and operates under a light vacuum, meaning it contains all odors. The entire process occurs within the building.

Planned facilities

St. Lucie County, Florida (GeoPlasma)

The first plasma-based waste disposal system in the USA was announced in 2006 in St. Lucie County, Florida. The county stated that it hopes to not only avoid further landfill, but completely empty its existing landfill 4,300,000 short tons (3,900,000 t) of waste collected since 1978 within 18 years. The plant was scheduled to come into operation in 2009. However, no permits as yet have been submitted for construction. Backers have announced that the facility would produce 600 short tons (540,000 kg) of solid rubble from around 3,000 short tons (2,700,000 kg) of waste per day at 5,500 C (9,900 F). Uncertainties have arisen however regarding the safety of such a facility. The public and environmental threats from incinerators coupled with the uncertainty of the community's ability to produce such large quantities of waste consistently have led GeoPlasma to submit a new proposal for a much smaller facility that would convert 200 short tons (180 t) of waste per day.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Plasco Energy Group Inc.)

A proposed Plasma arc gasifier has been planned for the Metro Vancouver area. However residents of the area have protested. Metro Vancouver is currently conducting an RFP process to determine a long-term solution for waste management. Plasco is not proposing that Metro Vancouver discontinue the RFP process, but rather to establish an interim solution that can quickly address the shortfall in landfill capacity, while also providing a facility that will allow Metro Vancouver to closely scrutinize and evaluate this new technology as part of its long-term decision making process.

Port Hope, Ontario, Canada (Sunbay Energy Corporation)

Utilizing technology licensed from Europlasma, the plasma arc facility proposed for lands in the vicinity of Wesleyville in Port Hope, Ontario (approximately 45 minutes east of Toronto) will handle 400 short tons (360 t) per day of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Tire Derived Fuel (TDF). Sunbay Energy is currently obtaining the required approvals from Provincial authorities and intends to have the facility operational during the 4th Quarter of 2009.

Tallahassee, Florida (Green Power Systems)

The city of Tallahassee, Florida has signed the largest plasma arc waste to energy contract (35 MW) to date with Green Power Systems to process 1,000 short tons (910 t) daily from the city and several surrounding counties. Completion of the project is scheduled for October 2010.

Hirwaun, Wales (EnviroParks Limited)

EnviroParks Limited plan (31/9/07) a consortium to build an Organic Park in Tower Colliery at Hirwaun, South Wales. This includes a plasma gasification plant combined with advanced anaerobic digestion to divert municipal solid waste from the landfill. Enviroparks are currently collaborating with partner Europlasma of Bordeaux to provide the plasma gasification unit to the park.

As much as 60 million is being put into the project by EnviroParks Ltd and its partners, to establish organic waste and mixed waste treatment facilities next to the Tower Colliery at Hirwaun. The Hirwaun site itself is large enough for the processing of over 250,000 metric tons (280,000 short tons) of non-hazardous waste a year. Initially, though, an anaerobic digestion plant will be designed to handle 50,000 metric tons (55,000 short tons) of organic wastes a year.

Jackson, Georgia (PR Power Company)

PR Power Co. plans to open a plant south of Atlanta, near Jackson, Georgia, that will use a "plasma torch" to vaporize tires down to their natural elements mainly hydrocarbons and scrap steel. The gases will be converted to electricity for sale to electric utilities and the scrap steel will be sold at an estimated $50 a ton.
Red Deer, Alberta (Plasco Energy Group Inc.)

Plasco is preparing to start construction on a commercial-scale facility in Red Deer, Alberta in the Summer of 2009. This facility, the company's first commercial plant, is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.
Maharastra Enviro Power Limited, SMSIL Pune, Maharastra India

SMS Infrastructures Limited (SMSIL), Central India largest civil engineering and infrastructure development company, constructed 68 tonne-per-day hazardous waste-to-energy plants, located in Pune, India, that will use Westinghouse Plasma Corporation (WPC) plasma technology and reactor vessel design. Each plant will provide comprehensive disposal services for a wide variety of hazardous waste, and will produce up to 1.6 MW (net) of electricity

The facilities will be the largest plasma gasification WTE plants in the world processing hazardous waste.

Concerns

Numerous municipal plasma arc gas plants (see above) are currently in development, including one for the city of Los Angeles. Practical (limited use of land space for landfills), technological (large-scale use of technology versus small-scale, e.g. plasma arc is currently favored as a means to destroy medical and hazardous waste), logistical (transportation infrastructure requirements) and budgetary considerations can affect the viability of individual projects. It is important to note that no municipal-scale waste disposal plasma arc facilities have as yet been constructed, which could present a considerable technological and budgetary challenge to even the largest municipalities.

An issue regarding plasma systems that rely on high temperatures for processing is in the life of their liners. The liner is an important aspect of separating the high interior temperatures of the plasma system from the [metal] shell of the plasma container. Liners are highly susceptible to both chlorine attack and to local variabilities in [high] temperatures, both of which would be found with typical municipal waste systems, and are not likely to last more than a year in service. This concern can be addressed by using the method demonstrated at the Trail Road Plant in Ottawa, Canada, which requires lower temperatures and a more robust material (brick) for a liner instead of the expensive and fragile metal. (ArticlesBase SC #2313832)

Top Tier Detergent Gasoline

Your local gas station probably offers you 3 levels of gasoline, like gold, silver and bronze. These typically have different levels of octane in them and you will generally get a little better mileage for the more expensive type.

In addition to different octane levels there are many different additives that can be in a companies brand of gasoline. This differentiation can have a huge impact on your vehicle and even the environment.

One type of additive is a detergent. Detergents clean your engine. Without some level of detergents engine deposits form and this causes reduced fuel efficiency, acceleration and power as well as increasing emissions and rough idling.

In 1994 four auto manufacturers (BMW, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota) recognized the gasoline marketers were not putting enough detergents in their gasoline. They also recognized the U.S. EPA was not mandating a high enough minimum standard of detergents. In fact, after the EPA set a minimum standard gasoline producers reduced the amount of detergents in their gas because the standard was so low.

As a result vehicle owners were suffering reduced engine power, reduced fuel efficiency,
increased driving upsets (rough idle, stalling and surge), decreased acceleration and increased emissions.

These four automakers decided to do something about this problem because they wanted vehicle owners to have a more pleasurable experience with the vehicles they manufactured. They created their own class of gasoline called 'Top Tier Detergent Gasoline', containing a higher level of detergents, meant to keep vehicle owners happier with better engine performance and wear.

In 1994 a few gasoline distributors adopted this new industry standard and since then it has expanded to the following retailers: QuikTrip, Chevron, Conoco, Phillips, 76, Shell, Entec Stations, MFA Oil Company, Kwik Trip/Kwik Star, The Somerset Refinery, Chevron-Canada, Aloha Petroleum, Tri-Par Oil Company, Shell-Canada, Texaco, Petro-Canada and Sunoco-Canada.

I personally discovered this gas by trying the 'silver' gas out at Shell. I thought it would just increase performance for this one tank of gas due to the higher octane. Surprisingly, later fillups with the cheaper bronze gasoline still saw a 5% increase in mileage, not bad for an aging 5 year old car.

This gasoline is good for new cars as it keeps the engine running optimally and especially good for older cars with engine deposits.      (ArticlesBase SC #201938)

Ukraine - Oil and Gas potential is large - A market for minor and medium sized oil and gas companies to explore and produce?

Ukraine represent a market for minor to medium sized oil and gas companies as no major international player has made permanent presence there yet in the exploration or production phase

This article is only meant to give a brief overview of activities within the oil and gas sector in Ukraine. If you would require more details into activities in the country, either on a company basis or asset basis, please feel free to contact me at sak@ec-ba.com and we can discuss it further.

There are at the present many players in Oil and Gas Exploration sector within Ukraine. Some international companies like Shell and Lukoil have found a niche within the downstream part of the oil and gas business, as there is yet to be found such major players within the upstream segment of the oil and gas industry of Ukraine.

Ukraine, being a net importer of energy, is well endowed with its own resources. The oil and gas reserves in the country are estimated at the level of 2,3 billion barrels of oil equivalent, with natural gas contributing 87% of the total. Ukraine's gas reserves account for 0,6% of total world proven gas reserves and 0,2% of oil reserves.

Hydrocarbon resources of Ukraine are estimated at 7-8 billion tons of fuel equivalent. Average annual oil and gas production amounts to 18 billion cubic meters of natural gas and 4 million tons of crude oil and covers 25 % of the demand for natural gas and 13 % of the demand for crude oil in Ukraine. Crude oil and natural gas are imported primarily from Russia, or through Russia from Turkmenistan (natural gas) and Kazakhstan (crude oil). Oil and gas make up to 60 % of the primary fuel consumption in Ukraine, including 40 % natural gas and 20 % oil.

Several major international oil and gas companies have exited this country for various reasons. But still there are some medium to small sized companies left in Ukraine. Most companies have bought themselves into production assets with potential for brown field exploration opportunities. Some companies have expanded their exploration efforts to maintain and to expand their proven resources within the country.

Companies like. Total, ExxonMobil. Shell and other majors like Chevron. Wintershall and OMW have all tried to venture Ukraine oil and gas production and exploration, without any success. It is not the lack of opportunities given by Mother Nature. Geologists have reported of several good opportunities both onshore and offshore. Please contact me for more details if you want to have some. However the political regime and the business environment have not been in favor of these companies. And they have either decided not to enter or already have exited the country.

Up to 250 enterprises of various types of ownership operate in the oil and gas sector: in exploration, production, refining or pipelines. The largest companies are subsidiaries of state owned holding company Naftogaz Ukrainy.

Companies left in the country pursuing production and exploration opportunities are a mix from various countries around the world as well as some domestic players.

Naftogaz`s subsidiary Ukrgazvydobuvannya and subordinate companies Ukrnafta and Chornomornaftogaz produce 97% of domestic natural gas and 96% of domestic crude oil and condensate. Chornomornaftogaz extracts oil and gas in Crimea on the Black and Azov Sea shelves, while Ukrgazvydobuvannia and Ukrnafta operate on land. Ukrnafta itself, a 50% state-owned company, is the largest oil producer in Ukraine (94% of domestic oil production.) Despite the high level of state control, there is a number of successfully operating international companies in oil and gas extraction. They are mostly working in joint ventures or under joint activity agreements with Ukrnafta or with Naftogaz`s subsidiaries. The Law on Production Sharing Agreements and the Oil & Gas Law were intended to simplify the procedure of obtaining licenses for oil & gas exploration and extraction and provide additional guaranties for the investors.

I list below some of the companies involved in the upstream part of the oil and gas business in Ukraine. If you need further details, please do not hesitate to contact me on email sak@ec-ba.com. As seen from the list below there is 9 players from Ukraine, 8 from UK, 6 from the U.S.A and 8 from Russia. There are several companies from other countries as well, but they are only present with minor amounts.

VikOil (Ukrainian)

Ukrnafta VAT (Ukraine)

Ukrgazbydobuvannya Affiliated Company (Ukraine)

Naftogaz of Ukraine NJSC (Ukraine)

Shebelinkagazvydobuvannya (Ukraine)

Poltavgazvydobuvannya (Ukraine)

Kharkivgazvydobuvannya (Ukraine)

L'vivgazvydobuvannya (Ukraine)

Ferroexpo (Ukraine)

CanArgo Energy (UK)

Poltava Petroeum Company JV (UK)

Europa Oil & Gas Ltd (UK)

Cadogan (UK)

Cardinal Resources plc (UK)

JKX Oil & Gas plc (UK)

Nostra Terra Oil and Gas Company plc (UK)

Regal Petroleum plc (UK)

Hunt Oil (U.S.A)

Vanco (U.S.A)

Chevron (USA)

USENCO (USA)

JV UkrKarpat Oil (USA)

JV Karpatsky Petroleum Corporation (USA)

TNK-BP Holding (Russia)

RAO Gazprom (Russia)

TNK (Russia)

Lukoil (Russia)

SlavNeft (Russia)

TatNeft (Russia)

Gruppa Alliance (Russia)

Alliance Oil Company (Refineries) (Russia)

Kuwait Energy (Kuwait) – Asset was previously owned by Cardinal Energy Ltd (UK)

Kazakhoil (Kherson refinery) (Kazakhstan)

Itera International Energy Company USA and Ukraine)

Itera-Ukraine (USA and Ukraine)

JV Eurogas (USA and Germany)

Polish Oil &Gas Company (Poland)

JV Plast (Greece-Cyprus)

Epic Energy Ltd (Canada)

Capital Oil (Swedish)

Tiway Oil (Norway)

According to the 2008 gas balance, in the current year, the country will consume 75 bcm of this fuel, with 55 bcm being imported, while 20 bcm is of domestic extraction. The level of annual oil consumption in Ukraine is some 20 million tons with the domestic extraction of some 4.5 million tons of oil and gas condensate.

The hydrocarbon resources in Ukraine are estimated at 7-8 billion tons of fuel equivalent. Average annual oil and gas production amounts to 18 billion cubic meters of natural gas and 4 million tons of crude oil and covers 25 % of the demand for natural gas and 13 % of the demand for crude oil in Ukraine. Crude oil and natural gas are imported primarily from Russia, or through Russia from Turkmenistan (natural gas) and Kazakhstan (crude oil). Oil and gas make up to 60 % of the primary fuel consumption in Ukraine, including 40 % natural gas and 20 % oil.

There are three petroliferous regions in Ukraine: in the west (the Carpathian region), in the east (the Dnipro-Donetsk region) and in the south (the Black Sea - Azov Sea region). The Dnipro-Donetsk basin is a major producing region of Ukraine accounting for 90% of Ukrainian production from over 120 oil and gas fields. The cumulative production from the basin is estimated at over 52 trillion cubic feet of gas and 1,3 billion barrels of oil. Over 3,000 wells have been drilled in the basin to date. The basin holds potential for deep gas exploration (deeper than 3.8km). The Carpathian basin is relatively large - over 700 million barrels of oil and 8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The Carpathian foredeep has been explored to depths of 4.0km to 4.5km. Despite the extensive activities, deeper parts of the basin offer very good potential for further exploration. The Black Sea - Azov Sea basin is predominantly gas-prone and includes natural gas fields. The Ukrainian part of the Black Sea shelf may have substantial oil and gas reserves, with mild weather and maximum water depth of 100 m. The hydrocarbon potential of the Ukrainian Black Sea shelf is substantial and it has been inefficiently explored, i.e. large structures in deeper waters have been bypassed due to the lack of offshore technology during Soviet times.

Amongst oil industry specialists working in Ukraine there is a widespread belief that, in spite of the challenges, the benefits both for investors and for the country from successful oil and gas exploration/production projects are potentially very substantial. Currently a great deal of work is being done in Ukraine by many dedicated individuals in government and in state organizations to maintain and extend the improvements in the legal, fiscal and business regimes. Such effort is now being rewarded by a steadily improving climate for upstream investment. As a result the future for Ukraine’s oil and gas sector is now brighter than at any time previously.

I have written several articles and books about Ukraine business environment and law, as well as about the oil and gas potential within Ukraine. You will find most of these in lulu.com. Here is a reference to one of the books i have written;

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/ukrainian-onshore-and-offshore-oil-and-gas-potential-increases/2459366

You can find more of my books by go to;

www.lulu.com/stig

In addition we are constantly updating our virtual dataroom for Ukraine at www.ec-ba.com



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