RE: Pennies from Heaven18 Nov 2025 10:05
A bit of perspective because there’s a lot of panic and noise flying around today.
Conrad have actually made a mess for themselves, not for EME. By firing off that “forced withdrawal” notice right in the middle of a live dispute, they’ve created title uncertainty at the exact moment they’re trying to complete a major farm-down. No serious buyer is going to sign off a multi-hundred-million deal while 8.5% of the PSC is tied up in a legal argument. That alone freezes the process.
The important bit people are missing is this: EME’s 8.5% is the only asset that can underpin any settlement, damages claim or arbitration outcome. Conrad can’t just take it and also rely on it for legal remedy. That’s a contradiction. They know it and their lawyers know it.
Dragging this out actually helps EME. The longer the dispute sits unresolved, the more pressure falls on Conrad – their buyer wants clean title, ASX want clarity, and the deal can’t complete until this is sorted. EME’s downside at this point is limited; Conrad’s isn’t. That shifts the leverage.
A settlement where EME keeps its stake (or even a reduced but protected/carry version of it) is still by far the most realistic outcome. Outright loss of 8.5% is the least likely option. The market’s pricing in worst case based on fear, not on how these things actually work.
Plenty still to play for here. Once clarity lands, the share price won’t be sitting at these levels.