In the gulf, a Japanese oil consortium has made a modest find, according to industry sources.

Now a deep suspicion remains among Chadians, leveled not only at their government and the oil consortium, but also at the World Bank.

Sonatrach is the largest Algerian and African company and the 11th largest oil consortium in the world.

A spokeswoman for the oil consortium, Pamela Mounter, said executives hoped to recommend a pipeline route next week.

"You mean the oil consortium with a stake in the Egyptian oil fields?"

Mr. Baker's law firm represents an oil consortium and other companies in the region.

They received only a 40 per cent stake in a new international oil consortium to handle Iranian oil (although there were other compensations).

The Alaskan oil consortium, which boasted it could contain such a spill, has suffered blows to its credibility.

The oil consortium canceled a meeting scheduled for Thursday at which members were to discuss pipeline routes.

It needs wars for various reasons, for oil, naturally, since oil is so very necessary to Bush's oil consortium, but also for economic reasons.