Hey Lib, Your post induces me to post a theory I've been hatching. EWC was initially IOC's prefered LNG producer as the terms were unprecedented. 1.5 yrs. ago Phil said 'the world now knows what our deal is and what it takes to partner with us' refering to EWC's deal. What I think has happened was this. We know, after approval, EWC was black-balled by DPE and IBs solicited alternate proposals. Those bids were coming in substantially below EWC's terms for both IOC and PNG as EWC was no longer the benchmark for bidders. IOC had been steadfast promoting IOC to PNG as the best option.
A combination of low bids, labor shortages, conventional project costs overuns and lobbying of O'Neill/DPE led to a 'significant meeting' a couple of weeks ago. I think at that meeting, EWC was agreed to by O'Neill as an approved solution for Gulf LNG 'if' IOC chose them as winning bidder. Indo site visits of EWC facilities were made by O'Neill as part of his DD. We do know that EWC technology is endorsed by JP and Mitsui was willing to finance a $1 billion CSP to make EWC possible. We learned in CC yesterday that Gulf LNG is endorsed by NEC/O'Neill and EWC is still 'in the mix' and they are financable.
I think EWC has returned as the bidder to beat and final offers are now being solicited to possibly attract a proposal with even better terms. I agree this could well happen quickly.