07-17-2012, 03:01 AM
Art, there were some indications at the AGM and have been since that XOM is not very enamored with DPE's handling of their project and would not be sad at all if Duma didn't return as DPE Minister. I go back also to comments by Hillary C after she was in PNG (and at about the time the Sunday Chronicle article stated Shell made its "offer" to Petromin) that China was coming in "behind" Exxon and undercutting what they were trying to do. I would guess that Exxon and IOC's "chumminess" has been is in part a united effort and could end up with XOM in the mix. Not sure where Polye sits as far as supporting Exxon or not, but I wouldn't be surprised if Polye's campaign fund has been enhanced by someone.