In the future, we may enter into joint ventures or other partnership arrangements with other parties in relation to the exploration, development and production of the properties in which we have an interest. Joint ventures can often require unanimous approval of the parties to the joint venture or their representatives for certain fundamental decisions such as an increase or reduction of registered capital, merger, division, dissolution, amendments of documents, and the pledge of joint venture assets, which means that each joint venture party may have a veto right with respect to such decisions which would lead to deadlock in the operations of the joint venture or partnership. Further, we may be unable to exert control over strategic decision made in respect of such properties. Any failure of such other companies to meet their obligations to us or to third parties, or any disputes with respect to the parties' respective rights and obligations, could have a material adverse effect on the joint ventures or their properties and, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial performance, cash flows and share price.