Brief description of projects carried out by Van Meurs, Van Meurs Corporation (VMC)
and until 2001 its Canadian company Van Meurs & Associates Limited (VMAL), in
alphabetical order:
ALASKA - Van Meurs was the main consultant involved with the Government of
the State of Alaska for the restructuring of fiscal terms for North Slope oil. The
consultant was main economic advisor for the State of Alaska on the $ 20 billion
gas export pipeline project under Governor Frank Murkowski. He was lead consultant
on the recent introduction of the new PPT law, the new Alaska fiscal system.
ALBERTA - In 2007, Van Meurs was chief advisor to the Government of the
Province of Alberta for the review of the Alberta royalties. The Government of
Alberta adopted in detail his recommendations for conventional oil and gas,
heavy oils and coal bed methane. This is the largest change in royalties in Alberta
during the last 30 years. The change resulted in a significant simplification of
the royalty system. Also under the new system prolific conventional oil and gas
wells are charged a higher royalty, while the production of heavy oil and coal bed
methane is being encouraged.
ALGERIA - VMC was senior economic advisor to the Minister of Mines and Energy in
Algeria for the implementation of the new hydrocarbon law including the Petroleum
Revenue Tax as well as with respect to the MEDGAZ gas export pipeline to Spain and
the GTL project.
BANGLADESH - VMAL participated at various times in projects in Bangladesh (1984
through 1993) involving a variety of activities. Assistance was provided in the
development of a new model production sharing contract, which resulted in attracting
new interest in exploration in the country. The contract needed to be developed for
the specific environment of a "gas prone" area, which required new and innovative clauses.
In 2007, VMC assisted in the preparation for the new offshore bidding round.
BOLIVIA - VMAL assisted Bolivia during 1985 - 86 with respect to the evaluation of
the petroleum contracts and fiscal system. A review of the feasibility of an export gas
pipeline to Brazil and a survey of the potential Brazilian market for Bolivian gas were
carried out. During 1993 an in depth economic analysis of the petroleum fiscal system
of Bolivia was completed and a number of fundamental changes to the fiscal provisions
were recommended.
During the period 1994 - 1996 VMAL was the main consulting firm with respect to the
introduction of a new Hydrocarbon Law and the associated regulations. In 1997 VMAL
organized the nominations for new areas which resulted in a highly successful bidding
round of 34 blocks.
VMAL was one of the key advisors in the capitalization of YPFB, resulting in investment
commitments of $800 million as well as the negotiation of export gas sales contracts and
the negotiation of the Bolivia-Brazil pipeline.
CANADIAN WESTERN ARCTIC - Assistance was provided between 1976 and 1984 in
the negotiation of a land claims settlement covering the entire Beaufort-Mackenzie
Region in order to protect the interests of the local aboriginal people, the
Inuvialuit. The negotiations resulted setting up a special land regime, very
significant cash transfers and the establishment of preferential and exclusive
hunting and trapping rights. Also a special environmental review process for the
Arctic areas was created. The land claims settlement was concluded in 1984.
Subsequently, important concessions with Esso and Shell were negotiated on aboriginal
lands. These concessions brought significant benefits in terms of local employment
and local business opportunities and income to the aboriginal people. Dr. van Meurs
was President of IPC, a successful Alberta oil and company owned by the Inuvialuit.
VMAL assisted in the creation of unique programs for the improvement in education of
aboriginal people.
CHINA - VMAL delivered extensive petroleum services to CNOOC, the Chinese
National Offshore Oil Corporation (1980 - 1984). Assistance was provided in the
development of the petroleum law, the model production sharing contract and the
accounting procedures which were used for the first offshore bidding round. The
first offshore bidding round was prepared and the development of bid evaluation
criteria and bid evaluation procedures established. This first bidding round
resulted in very onsiderable interest from the petroleum industry.
EQUITORIAL GUINEA - VMAL assisted Equatorial Guinea in its renegotiation of
its contract with Mobil (now ExxonMobil) when it became apparent that this contract
was not in the interest of the country.
GABON - VMAL carried out several projects in Gabon. During 1984 - 87,
assistance was provided for the development of production sharing contracts in Gabon.
The PARCA Model and associated training was provided. Various other training programs
were carried out. During 1991 - 1992, VMAL participated in the petroleum diagnostic
study which consisted of an in-depth review of the petroleum industry in Gabon and
particularly the payments to government. The review resulted in the recommendation
of various changes in administration, which were implemented. Forecasts of government
petroleum income for the next five years were provided and assistance was given in the
review of oil price determination procedures and accounting procedures.
GUATEMALA - VMAL assisted in the complete review and overhaul of the petroleum
legislation and administration in Guatemala (1975 - 1980). A new petroleum law was
introduced and adopted. A highly successful bidding round resulted in the granting of
five blocks and the drilling of more than 15 new exploration wells, resulting in the
discovery of several new oil fields. The Guatemalan petroleum administration was
developed and trained. VMAL organized the supervision and cost control of the
construction of the main export oil pipeline, which turned Guatemala into an exporter
of oil.
HUNGARY - VMAL carried out an economic assessment of the oil and gas fields of
Hungary and assisted in the development of terms and conditions for possible production
sharing contracts with the national oil company OKGT (1990 - 1992). VMAL assisted in
the drafting of these contracts and the subsequent licenses. Extensive training was
provided to the management of OKGT in petroleum economics and decision making
techniques, including the delivery of the PARCA software.
IRAQ - Special training seminars in world fiscal systems for oil and gas for
Iraq Ministry of Oil, in Amman, Jordan, in May 2005, sponsored by WesternOilSands and
by CWC, London.
KUWAIT - Van Meurs has been from 1998 – now chief advisor on a project for ODC
with respect to the determination of fiscal terms for the North Kuwait oil fields for
a possible service contract. This service contract rates as the most advanced service
contract in the world and would specifically deal with the enhanced recovery of oil in
these multi-billion barrel fields. The contract developed by Van Meurs is currently
under review by the National Assembly.
MEXICO - VMC was the lead economic advisor of the Multiple Services Contract
Project of PEMEX, related to the 2003 bidding round in the Burgos non-associated gas
area. These contracts were the very first contract with international oil companies
executed in Mexico.
VMC was also the main contractor for the new draft fiscal law for PEMEX in 2001 and
subsequently in 2007. This law was implemented and has created an entirely new fiscal
structure for PEMEX with the objective to provide a more efficient framework for the
investments by PEMEX.
NEWFOUNDLAND - VMAL provided extensive assistance to the Government of the
Province of Newfoundland between 1974 - 1980. Assistance was provided in drafting
the provincial petroleum legislation and development the provincial fiscal system.
VMAL analyzed and reviewed possible arrangements for revenue sharing and joint
administration between the Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland.
Assistance was provided in the negotiations of the first round of licensing in the
offshore areas. A petroleum economics department was set up and extensive training
was provided. Recently, the consultant was assisting in developing new fiscal terms
for gas.
PAKISTAN - VMAL assisted in a number of projects in Pakistan. This included the
reorganization of the petroleum legislation and reorientation of the petroleum agreements
in Pakistan. As a result of the changes, Pakistan, has seen a rather active petroleum
development in the country. Extensive training programs and seminars were provided on
petroleum issues for government officials as well as the national oil company OGDC.
Economic evaluations were carried of the Toot oil field and the Pirkoh gas field. VMAL
was involved in the restructuring of the fiscal terms for the offshore areas.
RUSSIA - VMAL was one of the foreign firms providing advice to the Government
of Russia with respect to the drafting of the Law on Concessions and Production Sharing
Contracts, currently under review. Petroleum software was provided to the tax committee.
THAILAND - VMAL provided major assistance with respect to the revision of the
petroleum law and the related fiscal system. The Thai system was changed drastically
with the key objective of making smaller oil and gas fields more economically attractive.
An innovative new system was developed that provided a direct incentive to drilling new
wells. As a result of the changes, there has been a strong increase in drilling activity
in the country. Intensive training was provided to a wide variety of government officials.
VMAL also provided advice on gas pricing formulae for gas development. An in-depth
economic evaluation of the remaining petroleum potential in Thailand was carried out.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - VMAL assisted in the reorganization of the fiscal system
and petroleum legislation in Trinidad and Tobago (1991 - 1993), which resulted in the
adoption of a new version of the Supplementary Petroleum Tax, adjustments in the corporate
income tax, and other fiscal provisions. The adjustments resulted in significant new
interest by foreign petroleum companies in the country. Comprehensive training programs
for the Government of Trinidad and Tobago were provided. VMAL assisted evaluating bid
results for the new offshore blocks and recently reviewed in 2005 – 2006 the SPT
legislation.