Oil exploration in less-developed countries: the activities of private oil companies

Book · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6646234

Wollstadt, R D

In a country-by-country survey, this paper examines the activities of over 200 oil companies in LDCs, and evaluates allegations concerning these activites, particularly in LDCs which have not traditionally been oil exporters. Despite arguments involving exportable surplus, political risks, private sector underinvestment, the need for a catalyst, and resource transfer, it concludes that where there are significant possibilities of finding and developing profitable petroleum resources, private oil companies will commit their capital, equipment, and expertise to ventures in LDCs. The overriding factor in the decision to proceed is the likelihood of finding economically producible oil or gas and the possibility of earning a return on developable resources commensurate with the investment and risk. 2 tables.

• OSTI ID: 6646234
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
294003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Natural Gas
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
EXPLORATION
INDUSTRY
INVESTMENT
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY