Published: July 18, 2007 at 11:35 AM
By ANDREA R. MIHAILESCU
UPI Energy Correspondent
Syria’s decline in crude oil production has gathered pace in the first quarter of 2007, according to figures released by the government as it seeks to promote fresh exploration efforts.
In the first quarter of this year, oil production averaged 382,300 barrels per day, compared with about 400,000 bpd in 2006 and 430,000 bpd the previous year, according to the Ministry of Petroleum.
If output continues to decline at the same rate as in the first quarter, Syria could become a net oil importer by the end of 2008, but the government hopes to stem the rate of decline through enhanced oil recovery operations in both marginal and mature fields.
The government hopes to get new exploration activity under way after awarding concessions in bid rounds over the last three years, as well as from several onshore and offshore blocks for which bids have been invited.
But the government has had a hard time attracting investors. The deadline for the seven onshore blocks (which have been re-tendered after receiving no bids in earlier rounds) was July 12; offers for the four offshore blocks are due on Sept. 27.
Foreign firms with an office in Syria include Royal Dutch/Shell Group, Petro Canada, INA Naftaplin of Croatia and France’s Total — all of which attended a presentation organized in London by the Ministry of Petroleum on June 27 for these blocks.
Closing oil prices, July 18, 3 p.m. London
Brent crude oil: $76.69
West Texas Intermediate crude oil: $74.20
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http://www.upi.com/Energy/Analysis/2007/07/18/upi_energy_watch/5054/
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Royal Dutch Shell conspired directly with Hitler, financed the Nazi Party, was anti-Semitic and sold out its own Dutch Jewish employees to the Nazis. Shell had a close relationship with the Nazis during and after the reign of Sir Henri Deterding, an ardent Nazi, and the founder and decades long leader of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. His burial ceremony, which had all the trappings of a state funeral, was held at his private estate in Mecklenburg, Germany. The spectacle (photographs below) included a funeral procession led by a horse drawn funeral hearse with senior Nazis officials and senior Royal Dutch Shell directors in attendance, Nazi salutes at the graveside, swastika banners on display and wreaths and personal tributes from Adolf Hitler and Reichsmarschall, Hermann Goring. Deterding was an honored associate and supporter of Hitler and a personal friend of Goring.
Deterding was the guest of Hitler during a four day summit meeting at Berchtesgaden. Sir Henri and Hitler both had ambitions on Russian oil fields. Only an honored personal guest would be rewarded with a private four day meeting at Hitler’s mountain top retreat.
IN JULY 2007, MR BILL CAMPBELL (ABOVE, A RETIRED GROUP AUDITOR OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL SENT AN EMAIL TO EVERY UK MP AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS: 
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