We learn something from PM O'Neill's lack of public reaction to the ads placed by Minister Duma - that Duma has some aspect of the national interest on his side. Let's take seriously the text - his message is that the deal isn't completely negotiated. Why now - because I think the first 3.8t's deal is done and the price is set, which could logically be used as the price for the commercial terms for the second 3.8t's. I do believe that one of Minister Duma's allies is in line to partner with the state for the second part (likely Shell, but also possibly Duma's biggest political money donor Clive Palmer, who has gas interests on the edges of Triceratops), so Minister Duma is trying to squeeze the price the gov't pays - saving the gov't and/or his friends money. A formula which defined commercial terms as 97% of the price paid by the partner on the first project would have been wise. Maybe now you say 95% plus a lng index price adjustment of between 0-5%.

