Woodside are in dispute with the Mauritanian Government, does ot affect Chinguetti production.
Woodside dispute
Woodside Petroleum Ltd. has been advised by the Mauritanian Government that it disputes
amendments to four offshore production sharing contracts operated by the companys whollyowned
subsidiary, Woodside Mauritania Pty Ltd.
The amendments, which are supplementary to the production sharing contracts, were negotiated
with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and approved by the Mauritanian Government and the
Mauritanian Parliament before becoming law in 2005. Woodside is confident that the amendments
are proper, valid and binding on all parties.
Woodside Mauritania Pty Ltd is in discussions with the Mauritanian Government to explore ways of
resolving the dispute.
Woodside welcomes the Governments willingness to address the matter under the dispute
resolution procedures of the production sharing contracts. If the dispute cannot be resolved
through discussion, the parties are likely to begin arbitration under the contract terms.
The dispute does not affect the Chinguetti project which remains on schedule to produce first oil
this month.
Woodside operates the Chinguetti Joint Venture and the four offshore production sharing contracts
on behalf of several joint venturers, including Hardman, BG, Premier, ROC Oil, Fusion, Petronas,
Dana Petroleum, Energy Africa and the Government-owned SociMauritanienne des
Hydrocarbures.