NationStates Jolt Archive

Official Ministry of Finance Press Release

Oil prospectors have recently found a previously undiscovered oil field within the confines of the far eastern Hrimgardr. The field, which is claimed to have up to five billion recoverable barrels of oil - stretches over several small land masses and sea floors. However, the land is covered in permafrost, and the entire zone is covered under several kilometers of ice.

Due to the extremely low price of oil and gas within the Dersconi Empire, no domestic-operating company has chosen to claim the land. Therefore, the Imperial Government has authorized the sale of the land to foreign nations or companies, with negotiable price and terms.

His Imperial Excellency Sephirot Emil Yutakyr
Minister of Finance
Dersconi Amaranthine Imperium

His Imperial Highness Shekhinah Maraidt Enilanuki
Imperial Chancellor
Dersconi Amaranthine Imperium

It is the desire of the Grand Duchy of Heristal to purchase at least some of this oil field in order to boost the Heristalian economic condition. Once the purchase was completed, land purchased would then be re-sold to Heristalian companies.

How do you intend to sell the field? By square mile, perhaps? Also, what prices did you have in mind to begin with?

~ His Excellency Bernard Goldberg (http://www.nndb.com/people/523/000099226/bernard-goldberg-1-sized.jpg), Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Heristal

To: Government of Derscon
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

What exactly are you selling? Land? Drilling rights? Mineral rights?

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

To: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti; Grand Duchy of Heristal
From: Dersconi Ministry of Finance

Ultimately, what is being sold is up to the buyer. To buy the land tself would require a sizable amount of money or other goods, but we're also willing to rent the land and allow the buyer. Land leases are an option, as well as merely drilling/mineral rights, as well as simply purchasing the land itself.

To: Dersconi Ministry of Finance
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

If it's buried under "kilometers of ice", the land itself is worthless. And mineral rights are equally worthless without an economical means of extraction. Only drilling rights have any clear immediate value.

In addition to drilling rights, we would want an option on the rights to any other mineral resources we discover.

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

TO: Dersconi Ministry of Finance:

In the interest of boosting our own industry and promoting regional trade, we would like to purchase drilling and mineral rights to the seaborne sectors of the field.

Sincerely,

Queen Cristiel St. Richards
Queen of Pschycotic Pschycos

To: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti
From: Dersconi Ministry of Finance

This is more than just land. The fields cover ocean and land, even though the land is covered in ice. By purchasing the territory itself, you are therefore also gaining exclusive rights to any other activities there, including research, fishing, etc.

ooc: Finally picked a permanent name for the CEO.

To: Derscon Official Ministry of Finance
From: Cerska Company CEO Ron Howard

This region is of great interest to us, and my company is willing to purchase 20 square miles of land for 5,000,000 Derscon Xelmark's.
The area we are interested in is close to the shore, so we also request drilling rights for the ocean floor.

Ron Howard

To: Dersconi Ministry of Finance
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

If the land had any value, we presume it would have been claimed by now.

Please be much clearer about the ice situation. You said earlier that "the entire zone is covered under several kilometers of ice".

What is the accessibility by sea and by road? How far is the nearest year-round port?

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/empyreanimperator/RP/Almostbutnotreallybetteroilmap.jpg
(Image not to scale)

At the moment, the area is completely undeveloped, without any infastructure at all.

Any port would have to be constructed by the owner, but as the area rests inside Dersconi/Prussian territorial waters, the Imperial governments will maintain all sea lanes to ensure free passage.

The (white) land is covered in ice, and some of the sea is as well. Any potential driller would have to go through it in order to get to the land. The average depth is approximately 1.2 km.

There are also unconfirmed reports of gold and diamond deposits in some of the northern-most regions of the territory in question. We are currently in the process of verifying those claims.

One final point: the area would have been claimed had oil and gasoline been in high demand in Derscon. However, as it stands, our oil reserves and fields are so large as to make further drilling unprofitable.

To: Derscon Official Ministry of Finance
From: Cerska Company CEO Ron Howard

We would like to change our offer.
25 square miles of land for 5,500,000 Derscon Xelmark's.
The location we would like to purchase is in the North Eastern area in question, by the shore.
5 miles of sea,
and 20 square miles of land.

This offer is negotiable, please send me a reply as soon as you can.

Ron Howard

To: Ron Howard, Cerska Company
From: His Imperial Excellency Vedari Sablinov, Imperial Treasurer

We would prefer 10,000,000 Xelmarks for the land, due to the mineral and oil potential of the area. We are, of course, always open to negotiation.

OOC: I should probably make a better map... Give me a few minutes and I'll do that. >.>

To: Dersconi Ministry of Finance
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

The ice situation is still unclear. You say, "The (white) land is covered in ice.... The average depth is approximately 1.2 km," but the (white) land is labelled "tundra" on the map. If the former is correct, I repeat that the land underneath is worthless.

Is there road access from the nearest Dersconi port to the ice field? For exploration purposes, it would be much cheaper for us to build an ice road to Derscon than a port of our own.

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

To: Derscon Official Ministry of Finance
From: Cerska Company CEO Ron Howard

Im willing to accept this deal.

I also ask permission to deploy Cerska Mercanaries in order to protect the mines.
It will not be a large force, estimated size of security for each rig will be about 10-15 Cerska Mercanaries.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/empyreanimperator/RP/Almostbutnotreallybetteroilmap.jpg

OOC: I accidentally made it a much bigger zone, but I'm too lazy to go back and fix it. This is the new map. We have always been at war with Eurasia. <.<

ooc: Left side, that corner with the shore. Can you draw the Cerska owned area?
IC:

To: Derscon Official Ministry of Finance
From: Cerska Company CEO Ron Howard


We will wire funds and begin shipping personnel as soon as you give us permission to send in security forces along with buying the land.

Ron Howard

To: Dersconi Ministry of Finance
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

The ice situation is still unclear. You say, "The (white) land is covered in ice.... The average depth is approximately 1.2 km," but the (white) land is labelled "tundra" on the map. If the former is correct, I repeat that the land underneath is worthless.

Is there road access from the nearest Dersconi port to the ice field? For exploration purposes, it would be much cheaper for us to build an ice road to Derscon than a port of our own.

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

To: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti
From: Dersconi Ministry of Finance

The land is only worthless if one does not have the ability to go through the ice. Derscon does. If Fatatatutti does not, then the land is indeed worthless to them. We would like to note, though, that the land close to the sea and closer to Derscon proper is not permanently glaciated.

There is also no road access. There is currently a small docking station and airfield for research purposes, both maintained by private corporations and the Imperial Government.

ooc: Left side, that corner with the shore. Can you draw the Cerska owned area?
IC:

To: Derscon Official Ministry of Finance
From: Cerska Company CEO Ron Howard


We will wire funds and begin shipping personnel as soon as you give us permission to send in security forces along with buying the land.

Ron Howard
OOC: Kinda hard to see, but that's MSPaint for you.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/empyreanimperator/RP/Almostbutnotreallybetteroilmap2.jpg

To: Cerska Company CEO Ron Howard
From: Imperial Treasury Office

As it is privately owned Cerska territory, they are free to do whatever they wish with the land, and occupy it with whatever the feel necessary. Derscon has no weapons laws, nor any restrictions on militias or group assembly.

To: Imperial Treasury Office
From: Ron Howard

So if I built a few missle silo's you would be ok with it?

I kid, Cerska personell will depart by sea and land in the area with supplies that will allow them to build a small camp. Further workers will depart for your closest port, and when the trucks are offloaded from the cargo ships, they will drive across the tundra with supplies to begin construction on the harbor we plan to build.

To: Dersconi Ministry of Finance
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

We certainly do have the ability to drill through the ice, which is why only drilling rights have any value.

We will consider making an offer on all of the coastal area that is not already claimed. What is your asking price for all drilling rights?

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

To: Imperial Treasury Office
From: Ron Howard

So if I built a few missle silo's you would be ok with it?

I kid, Cerska personell will depart by sea and land in the area with supplies that will allow them to build a small camp. Further workers will depart for your closest port, and when the trucks are offloaded from the cargo ships, they will drive across the tundra with supplies to begin construction on the harbor we plan to build.

To: Ron Howard, CEO, Cerska Company
From: His Imperial Excellency Sephirot Boris Katalyani, Minister for Imperial Affairs
CC: His Imperial Excellency Sephirot Emil Yutakyr, Minister of Finance
CC: His Imperial Excellency Vedari Sablinov, Imperial Treasuer

Mr. Howard,

We regret to inform you that there are no roads leading from Derscon to the Territory. It is entirely undeveloped land, except for the small dock and airfield established by the joint Vanirgrad Petrolium Corporation / Ministry of Imperial Affairs prospecting outfit.

However, there are many private transport companies within Derscon that, for a fee, would be willing to aid in transporting your equipment from North Defese directly to the territory, or from Derscon to the ND Hrimgardr territory. Furthermore, ND is welcome to purchase land, or supply the funds for a private Dersconi corporation to purchase land for the construction of a major rail or highway system from Derscon to the prospecting territory.

However, due to the treacherous conditions, we advise against attempting any exploration or transport beyond the marked areas, for your own safety.

One final note: While the Imperial Government may be taken aback by ND construction of missile silos in their territory, as it is owned privately, we would not interfere. There are several privately-owned nuclear launch facilities within Dersconi territory, for instance. Derscon has complete respect for private property rights.

OOC: Cerska trucks will be refitted with tank treads.

To: Dersconi Ministry of Finance
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

We certainly do have the ability to drill through the ice, which is why only drilling rights have any value.

We will consider making an offer on all of the coastal area that is not already claimed. What is your asking price for all drilling rights?

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

To: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti
From: Ministry of Imperial Affairs
CC: Ministry of Finance

While we cannot accept your current deal, as it would cut off access to the land itself for other uses by others, we are not explicitly denying it, either. If no other entity wishes to gain access to the land itself, we will grant Fatatatutti drilling rights to all coastal lands for 5,000,000 Xelmarks and 5% of all income from the drilling once Fatatatutti breaks even (covering the costs of setting up the sites, etc).

OOC: Cerska trucks will be refitted with tank treads.

OOC: No, I mean, some of the area is literally impassible without heavy work. You're not going to be able to make it by land, and I'm not going to let anyone go further north for OOC RP reasons, unless you really want to start a character RP of a few explorers wandering off, hitting a dead zone, and start interacting with all the fantasy-genre stuff that populates the northern parts of the Tundra. Which I'm fine with, but I figured most wouldn't want to do that. :P

Ron Howard was sitting at his desk, praticing his evil laugh, when his aide walked in.
"Sir, we have drilling rights of the land. Shall re proceed?"
"Yes, begin operation 'Build Seceret Nuclear Silos Then Launch Them At Derscon'"
"Yes sir!"
"Evil Laughter"

Just kidding,


the dock may take a few months to complete, and then Cerska will begin planning for a road, then refinery locations will be planned.

The total thing may take a year or so.

[OOC: There is no way Ron Howard could even fake an evil laugh. Not with that voice.]

To: Dersconi Ministry of Imperial Affairs
From Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

What is your asking price (in USD please) for drilling rights on all of the remaining territory? We are not interested in rights to other minerals. However, any information we find on other minerals, during the course of our exploration, will belong to us. We prefer not to share our revenues but that is negotiable.

-- Charles Lyall, Chief Geologist

OMG not the same people


ooc: Alaska was deemed impassable, and a road was deemed impossible.
Now there is a major stretch of highway all the way from Alaska, to Canada, to the US of A.

And Cerska has a bunch of slav---Enthusiastic employees willing to build the road.

ooc: Alaska was deemed impassable, and a road was deemed impossible.
Now there is a major stretch of highway all the way from Alaska, to Canada, to the US of A.

And Cerska has a bunch of slav---Enthusiastic employees willing to build the road.

OOC: It's not a matter of deemed, I mean, the terrain is impassible in its current form. It would require a massive effort to push a road through that way, spanning decades and many billions of dollars.

And, really, if you used slave labor, we would probably intervene, since it is Dersconi territory you're going through.

To: Dersconi Ministry of Imperial Affairs
From Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

What is your asking price (in USD please) for drilling rights on all of the remaining territory? We are not interested in rights to other minerals. However, any information we find on other minerals, during the course of our exploration, will belong to us. We prefer not to share our revenues but that is negotiable.

-- Charles Lyall, Chief Geologist

To: Standard Oil
From: Ministry of Imperial Affairs

Drilling rights for all other land will amount to $28,520,000 and a 5% of all income from the drilling once Fatatatutti breaks even (covering the costs of setting up the sites, etc). This is, of course, pending any other higher offer for the territory.

Also, any information dealing with mineral finds must be reported to the Ministry of Imperial Affairs, but you may reserve all rights.

ooc: FINE ill give me helicopters magnets and move them over the land. -.-

Drilling rights for all other land will amount to $28,520,000 and a 5% of all income from the drilling once Fatatatutti breaks even (covering the costs of setting up the sites, etc). This is, of course, pending any other higher offer for the territory.

Also, any information dealing with mineral finds must be reported to the Ministry of Imperial Affairs, but you may reserve all rights.
To: Dersconi Ministry of Imperial Affairs
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

We will counter-offer $30,000,000 and 20% of profits. Any information will belong to us, to report or not, as we see fit.

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

To: Dersconi Ministry of Imperial Affairs
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

We will counter-offer $30,000,000 and 20% of profits. Any information will belong to us, to report or not, as we see fit.

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

To: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti
From: Ministry of Imperial Affairs

Unfortunately, we cannot accept the deal. Due to the need for careful monitoring of Hrimgardr, all information must be reported. We will guarentee your complete right to anything you find, of course (barring any ancient ruins or other structures - these must be surrendered to the Dersconi government). But ultimately, the need - for both cultural purposes, anthropological studies, and national security - for the information is paramount, and must be reported. Again, we will not do anything that could possibly interfere with Fatatatutti profits, but the desire for information is paramount.

Due to the need for careful monitoring of Hrimgardr, all information must be reported. We will guarentee your complete right to anything you find, of course (barring any ancient ruins or other structures - these must be surrendered to the Dersconi government). But ultimately, the need - for both cultural purposes, anthropological studies, and national security - for the information is paramount, and must be reported. Again, we will not do anything that could possibly interfere with Fatatatutti profits, but the desire for information is paramount.
To: Dersconi Ministry of Imperial Affairs
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

We have no problem with reporting information of a cultural, anthropological or security nature. And we would not, of course, lay claim to or damage any ruins, etc.

Our only interest is in commercially valuable information, such as other mineral deposits. If any such resources were discovered, we wouldn't want a "gold rush" interfering with our activities, so it would not be in our interest to report them. (Nor would you be in any position to know if we discovered anything.)

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

To: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti
From: Standard Oil

Mineral deposits must also be reported. They would not, of course, be publically released, but used for MIA mapping purposes. For instance, Hrimgardr has unique geological patterns, and with the location of one or two mineral deposits, we can predict with moderate accuracy where other deposits would be located. Also, settlements, temples, and so forth tend to be located near the larger deposits.

A "gold rush" is also not in the MIA's interests, as it could potentially corrupt a proper mapping of the location, as well as damage possible cultural artifacts.

To: Dersconi Ministry of Imperial Affairs
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

You drive a hard bargain. Do we have a deal then? Full drilling rights in all areas not yet leased, for $30,000,000 and 20% of profits. Full disclosure of anything found and full respect for cultural artifacts.

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

To: Dersconi Ministry of Imperial Affairs
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

You drive a hard bargain. Do we have a deal then? Full drilling rights in all areas not yet leased, for $30,000,000 and 20% of profits. Full disclosure of anything found and full respect for cultural artifacts.

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

To: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti
From: Dersconi Ministry of Imperial Affairs

Due to the...unique geography and culture of Hrimgardr, it is necessary.

Your offer is accepted, and you may begin your work immediately. Feel free to contract out any Dersconi transportation or construction companies that are probably better equipped for the territory if you so desire.

Good luck with your drilling.

To: Dersconi Ministry of Imperial Affairs
From: Standard Oil of Fatatatutti

Thank you. The cheque is in the mail, as they say.

We will keep the Dersconi transportation and construction companies in mind, but we have a plan of our own.

-- C. Lyall, Chief Geologist

*************

Charlie Lyall picked up the phone and dialled a number.

"Hello?"

"Johnny, it's me."

"Charlie. What's up?"

"I just bought up the drilling rights on a big find up in Derscon. Could be worth billions."

"Derscon? Where the hell is that?"

"Google it. Look, how soon can the Challenger be ready for sea?"

"All she needs is provisioning. Couple of days."

"Okay, the sooner the better. And I want two drill rigs."

"No problem. They're already loaded and ready to go."

"Good. And I'm going to need the Skycrane, too."

"The Cierva's already at sea."

"What? Where?"

"On her way home."

"Well, turn her around and get her up there. There's no other way in. We're going to have to fly the rigs in."

"By chopper?"

"Why not?"

"It's your money."

"Damn right it is." Lyall hung up the phone. Thirty million for the rights. He'd go another hundred for exploration.