Free drop in exploration expenses

During the year 2002, the exploration investments of petroleum companies working in the French territory have strongly collapsed and reached only 4.37 Meuros, i.e. ten times less than in 2001. The exploration activities in the Paris basin went on and concentrates 68.5% of the production investments. The most active companies were Esso Rep and Vermilion Rep in the Paris and Aquitaine basins. This article summarizes the data collected and published in December 2002 by the French bureau of hydrocarbons exploration-production of the direction of energy and mineral resources (Direm): exploration permits, onshore and offshore exploration activity, exploitation (drillings on deposits, production activity), investments. (J.S.)