Oil Myanmar

Unocal, Total to Increase Myanmar Energy Exploration: Despite international criticism of their cooperation with Myanmar's military regime, Los Angeles-based Unocal Corp. and Total, the French oil giant, plan to increase their stake in oil and gas exploration in the country, according to a report in the Bangkok Post. The two companies, already partners in a $1-billion development of Myanmar's largest known offshore gas field, Yadana, are interested in acquiring land next to that field.

After sinking $50 million into a controversial project off the coast of Myanmar, Atlantic Richfield Co. said Tuesday that it is withdrawing from the troubled country, but denied that it was caving into international pressure to punish the increasingly belligerent military regime. Arco spokesman Al Greenstein said changing investment priorities, "not protests or events inside Myanmar," influenced the company's decision not to renew its second of two exploration leases when it expires in October.

After sinking $50 million into a controversial project off the coast of Myanmar, Atlantic Richfield Co. said Tuesday that it is withdrawing from the troubled country, but denied that it was caving into international pressure to punish the increasingly belligerent military regime. Arco spokesman Al Greenstein said changing investment priorities, "not protests or events inside Myanmar," influenced the company's decision not to renew its second of two exploration leases when it expires in October.

Unocal, Total to Increase Myanmar Energy Exploration: Despite international criticism of their cooperation with Myanmar's military regime, Los Angeles-based Unocal Corp. and Total, the French oil giant, plan to increase their stake in oil and gas exploration in the country, according to a report in the Bangkok Post. The two companies, already partners in a $1-billion development of Myanmar's largest known offshore gas field, Yadana, are interested in acquiring land next to that field.

The government workers received two days' notice to pack up their offices and be ready to move. The military regime that rules this impoverished country had decided to move its capital to the remote, dusty town of Pyinmana. On Nov. 6, the morning of the move from this longtime capital, hundreds of workers gathered at their offices, according to some accounts, and chanted, "Out, out, out!" before they left.