1) per IOC, the PR was not in reaction to any public statements. They were required to announce it as it was determined to be a material event. Not the leak. Something had to have been signed. Lack of more details or a better explanation makes it very frustrating.
2). Blatant manipulation around options expiration ahead of a long weekend and potential news about the real desl
3). I agree with Tree that this is simply an OT deal, but again, the sequencing of events is curious athough,I'm sure XOM wanted to make sure they got thier gas first. XOM needs a specific amount of gas versus a % of the resource, which could be revised up or down, and I think explains some of the PR.
4) per IOC, CAs still in effect. The inference I draw is other bidders still at the table, this could have been explained better as well, IMO.