Oil exploration: why the secrecy? (1)

It has been reported that Malta and Libya are once again 'revitalising' the 1984 co-operation agreement (The Sunday Times, January 22). Under normal circumstances, one would consider this a step in the right direction. But having lived through that rather nasty period characterised by violence, partisanship, and secrets, I cannot help thinking about the various agreements between Malta and China, North Korea, and even Libya.

Back in 1984 such agreements were the cause of many a shiver down the spines of people from all social classes; 'revitalising' the 1984 agreement with Libya sparks a host of doubts in a sceptical mind like mine. Should I think positively?

It would indeed be interesting to know the details of the agreement - the good and the bad. Strangely enough, nothing has been said, once again, on Malta's oil exploration initiatives. Have these been 'revitalised' too? Is the agreement text top secret? Both the erstwhile prime minister Dr Eddie Fenech Adami and Minister John Dalli had spoken about a possible joint Malta-Libya oil exploration venture, where Libya could offer expertise in the field. Has such an initiative been discussed?

Last Sunday's report mentions the purchasing of oil, but not the settlement of items relating to Malta's seas and our right (or lack of) to drill for oil in the much disputed territorial waters. Have these not been discussed? According to Pancontinental Oil & Gas's September quarterly report, the company had been requested to "suspend the planned late 2005 seismic survey for six months to facilitate negotiations". Have these negotiations been concluded? Was there an outcome?

Various conservation areas that Libya is interested in was also brought up. While it is very positive that Libya is concerned with ecological matters, do these conservation areas happen to be in the same areas which Malta is exploring? Does the Malta-Libya 'revitalised' agreement have anything to do with Malta's oil discovery efforts? Is the six-month Pancontinental suspension truly a six-month period?

While Mediterranean Oil and Gas, Pancontinental Oil and Gas, Anadarkdo, Global Petroleum, and TGS are among the very interested parties in our oil potential, Government remains mostly silent and evasive, and very little has been communicated officially. It does not answer any questions, nor does it refute media reports. Reading Ninu Zammit's uninspiring reply to Evarist Bartolo's parliamentary question last Wednesday, one would know what I mean.

But what if we do strike oil? MEP Joseph Muscat voiced his concern over the management of an oil-producing economy and to a certain extent I understand his worries. After all, we don't want OPEC or any other group of power-mongers (including Maltese) to have the greater part of our cake.

Still, I cannot help wondering: it could be considered reasonable to doubt whether we are capable of managing our economy considering the ferocious competition, limited resources, and sometimes our mediocre management practices.

But are we truly to be resigned to the same fate in the face of wealth? Are we so mediocre that we are incapable of managing the prosperity that oil would bring? Are we to compare our country to Nigeria? I truly believe we can manage our resources better.

And as far as becoming net contributors to the EU, well, why not? This would mean that we would have reached standards and quality of life far better than that of the majority of EU countries. Frankly, I would not mind that happening.

Our 13th oil well is indeed being explored, and Evarist Bartolo (The Sunday Times January 22) rightly describes us as "cynical" where crying 'oil!' (as opposed to wolf) is concerned. I also agree with him that our prospects are indeed excellent, since Chianti and Limoncello are within undisputed waters.

It is far too early to start thinking about how to manage the wealth. Especially considering that we have not even been able to liberalise oil imports yet in an unambiguous and open manner. Strangely, Air Malta still has to buy aviation fuel at almost triple the price other companies like Shell can offer, even though they are truly facing difficult times.

Our prime minister is said to staunchly expect project plans and deadlines from his workforce, with regular updates, periodical adjustments, and the necessary consultation.

He should keep in mind that people expect the same from his office. Considering the importance of our oil exploration efforts, I do expect a simple timeline on a Website, with the projected milestones and periodical notes of whether such milestones have been reached, and if and how they have changed. In this way, we can all peacefully follow Malta's progress without feeling that we are missing something somewhere, or that something is kept hidden from us.

But then, alas, perhaps Malta's oil issues are too slippery for us common folk to follow.