DoD Article21 Dec 2018 11:31
Just had a first look at the DoD article and read:
"The EA said it had carried out a total of four recent announced and unannounced visits to the site. There had been no permit breaches and Compliance Assessment Reports of the visits, known as CAR forms, would be published in January, it said".
Erm! In addition to all other theories out there, wouldn't it make sense for Angus to wait until the Compliance Assessment Reports were approved and issued before proceeding further? After all, the EA are a Government Agency (and no doubt will NOT be working over Xmas) and from experience, aren't the quickest where paperwork is involved. Additionally, all those with a vested interest would remain on side post the CAR issue.
"The EA added that during inspections of the site, including one today (so that was 20 Dec), it did not find acid stored or used on the site".
So, Angus may have known that the EA were due to visit on 20 Dec and decided (in advance) that it would be prudent/the best course of action would be to postpone any further work until the EA visit had taken place and all the necessary approvals had been given.
If the EA had not given there approval and on the 20 Dec then Angus would have had to .......... Well, I dread to think.
https://drillordrop.com/2018/12/20/angus-gets-permit-approval-for-appraisal-but-not-production/