I am late to the party but let me ramble along here and then you smart folks can correct my misunderstandings and answer my questions.
We have been waiting for the announcement of the sell down of PRL 15 (Elk/Antelope). We have been waiting to find out who they are negotiating with for the sell down.
I tried to get more information and was told the BOD has not authorized the release of any information other than what is in the PR. So what is in the PR?
1. We are in “exclusive” negotiations with Exxon.
My interpretation: Exxon is the winning bidder and is the only bidder remaining in the negotiations.
2. These negotiations include the selling of a portion of PRL 15 (Elk/Antelope) to Exxon. So this IS the announcement we have been waiting for. This IS the sell down process.
Separate from the PR, Prime Minister O’Neill says Exxon is the Government’s preferred partner.
The Government wanted a Super Major as Operator. Does this mean, subject to the successful conclusion of the negotiations, Exxon will be the Operator of PRL 15? Will they take over and operate IOC rigs or bring in their own?
At this point we don’t need a Plant Operator since we do not have a plant.
An unknown that remains is who will build the Condensate Stripping Plant which will be needed for either sending the gas to the Exxon Plant or to any future IOC LNG Plant.