North Africa

Interest shifts to smaller fish STALEMATE IN new contract negotiations in some of the larger Mideast Gulf states and the looming threat of war in Iraq could heighten the appeal of less conspicuous hydrocarbon plays in 2003. Upstream acreage in some of the North African countries is looking more prospective. Libya, which topped a poll of oil companies involved in exploration and production (E&P) ventures outside North America as the most favoured country for new ventures last year, looks again to be the most enticing prospect for international oil. National Oil Corporation officials have promised a new bidding round in the first quarter, although companies with long experience of Libya wo