One Israeli man, who identified himself as Uts, came to India in 1994.

BBC: Enduring new-age appeal of Goa

The industry is watching Total's hostile UTS bid carefully because it is the first significant takeover attempt of this downturn.

FORBES: Total Kicks Up A Sands Storm

On Friday, Mr Wiels had denounced alleged abuses committed by Curacao telecommunication company UTS in an interview with news site Versgeperst.com.

BBC: Curacao politician Helmin Wiels shot dead

He accused UTS of involvement in the illegal sale of lottery numbers.

BBC: Curacao politician Helmin Wiels shot dead

The other companies Lacey referred to include Opti Canada, Royal Dutch Shell and the Forest Hills project conducted by Petro-Canada, UTS, and Teck Cominco.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Oil sands observers think Total wants Fort Hills bad enough that it will pay up to buy out both UTS' and Teck Cominco's stakes in order to partner with Petro-Canada one-on-one.

FORBES: Total Kicks Up A Sands Storm

Canadian law requires companies to make drilling data public one year after leasing the land, so Roach made it a policy to start drilling immediately after signing, giving UTS more time to grab more acres near promising boreholes.

FORBES: Total Kicks Up A Sands Storm

The other companies Lacey referred to include Opti Canada, Royal Dutch Shell and the Forest Hills project conducted by Petro-Canada (nyse: PCZ - news - people ), UTS, and Teck Cominco (nyse: TCK - news - people ).

FORBES: Suncor Invests In Redemption