8. Foreign Activities

New Zealand

Swift Operated Permits. Our activity in New Zealand began in 1995 with the issuance of the first of two petroleum exploration permits. After surrendering a portion of our permit acreage in 1998, combining the two permits and expanding the permit acreage in 1999, and relinquishing 50% of the acreage in 2001 as we extended our petroleum exploration permit, our permit 38719 as of year-end 2001 covered approximately 50,300 acres in the Taranaki Basin of New Zealand’s north island, with all but 12,800 acres onshore. At December 31, 2001, we had a 90% working interest in this permit and had fulfilled all current obligations under this permit.

In late 1999, we completed our first exploratory well on this permit, the Rimu-A1, and a production test was performed. During the second half of 2000, we drilled and successfully tested two development wells, the Rimu-B1 and the Rimu-B2. In 2001 we drilled and tested three more Rimu development wells, the Rimu-A2, Rimu-A3 and Rimu-B3. The Rimu-A3 was successful; the Rimu-A2 and Rimu-B3 were dry. Early in 2002, the Rimu-A2 was sidetracked to the Tariki sand and is currently awaiting completion. The Rimu-B3 was also sidetracked in early 2002 and again was unsuccessful. In 2001, we also drilled the Kauri-A1 exploratory well, the Kauri-A2 development well, and the Kauri-B1 exploratory well. In the Kauri-A-1 we tested the Upper Tariki sands and still have further zones to test. The Kauri-A2 well successfully tested the Manutahi sands. The Kauri-B1 was drilled approximately 1.75 miles to the southeast of the Kauri-A pad and targeted the Manutahi sands. This well was plugged and abandoned in 2001. Our portion of the drilling, completion, and testing costs incurred on the wells within our permits during 2001 was approximately $26.0 million. Our portion of prospect costs on our permits during 2001 was approximately $5.1 million, which included obtaining 2-D seismic data in the last half of the year for the Rata prospect. We incurred $22.5 million on the production facilities that we expect to be commissioned near the end of the first quarter of 2002.

In 2000, we entered into an agreement with Fletcher Challenge Energy Limited whereby we would earn a 25% participating interest in petroleum exploration permit 38730 containing approximately 48,900 acres. In May 2001, Fletcher relinquished their interest in the permit, and we then assumed 100% working interest in such permit by means of committing to an acceptable work plan. Such plan required us to acquire a minimum of 30 kilometers of new 2D seismic data, which we completed in 2001. Rather than commit to drill a new well in 2002 as the work plan called for, we surrendered this project in February 2002.

Non-Operated Permits. In 1998, we entered into agreements for a 25% working interest in an exploration permit, permit 38712, held by Marabella Enterprises Ltd., a subsidiary of Bligh Oil & Minerals, an Australian company, and a 7.5% working interest held by Antrim Oil and Gas Limited, a Canadian company, in a second permit, permit 38716, operated by Marabella. In turn, Bligh and Antrim each became 5% working interest owners in our permit 38719. Unsuccessful exploratory wells were drilled on these two permits, and we charged $0.4 million against earnings in 1998 and $0.3 million in 1999. All of the acreage on the permit 38712 was surrendered in 2000. The exploratory well on permit 38716 has been temporarily abandoned pending a further evaluation. It is currently anticipated that this well will be re-entered and sidetracked to target a location to the west of the initial well. A five-year extension was granted on permit 38716 in 2001 upon the surrender of 50% of the acreage.

In 2000, we entered into an agreement with Fletcher Challenge Energy Limited whereby we will earn a 20% participating interest in petroleum exploration permit 38718 containing approximately 57,400 acres. In January 2001, the operator temporarily abandoned the Tuihu #1 exploratory well on permit 38718 pending further analysis. The permit now contains approximately 28,700 acres after a scheduled surrender during December 2000.

Costs Incurred. During 2001, our costs incurred in New Zealand totaled $54.5 million, including $25.7 million for drilling, $5.5 million for prospect costs, $22.5 million for production facilities, and $0.8 million in evaluation costs for the acquisition of the TAWN assets, which closed in January 2002. These costs also included $0.6 million of costs incurred on permits operated by others: $0.2 million of drilling costs and $0.4 million of prospect costs. As of December 31, 2001, our investment in New Zealand totaled approximately $84.4 million. As we have recorded proved undeveloped reserves relating to our successful drilling activities, $45.5 million of our investment costs has been included in the proved properties portion of oil and gas properties and $38.8 million has been included as unproved properties at the end of 2001. Our development strategy includes having Rimu/Kauri production on line for oil and gas sales in New Zealand near the end of the first quarter of 2002.

Russia

In 1993, we entered into a Participation Agreement with Senega, a Russian Federation joint stock company, to assist in the development and production of reserves from two fields in Western Siberia and received a 5% net profits interest. We also purchased a 1% net profits interest. Our investment in Russia was fully impaired in the third quarter of 1998. We retain a minimum 6% net profits interest from the sale of hydrocarbon products from the fields. The value of our net profits interest depends upon either the successful development of production from the fields by others or their sale of the fields.