United Kingdom tops Fugro Robertson's 2009 New Ventures Survey

The United Kingdom leads the country rankings and Europe the regional rankings in this year's International New Ventures Survey. Norway is up 16 places to equal 2nd, Germany is equal 9th and the Netherlands equal 12th. There are no representatives from the Middle East in the top echelons this year, Oman and Iraq having fallen to 27th and 31st, respectively.

Fugro Robertson Limited's International New Ventures Survey polls oil companies involved in E&P ventures, asking them to rate, in a confidential questionnaire, their level of interest in new ventures in 158 countries outside North America, as well as 4 frontier regions of the USA and Canada. Country scores are analysed to determine the factors that influence movements up or down the rankings.

With 4 countries in the top tier, Africa still commands the interest of oil companies, with Egypt at equal 2nd, Libya 5th, Angola 7th and Algeria equal 12th.

Latin America also makes a respectable showing, with Colombia replacing Tunisia in 4th place, Brazil climbing 7 places to equal 9th and Argentina returning to the top flight after a long absence, rising 15 places to number 14.

Despite Australia dropping out of the top 10 for the first time in several years, SE Asia/Australasia is still the 2nd most popular region, with Indonesia 6th, Vietnam 8th, and Malaysia at joint 9th.

The Top 20 places (with last year's rankings in brackets) are held by the following countries:

For more information contact:

Mark Paton

Fugro Robertson Ltd

Llandudno

North Wales LL30 1SA

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1492 581811

Fax: +44 (0) 1492 580084

Email: info@fugro-geospec.com