RE: Bpc2 Sep 2018 20:56
Interesting post from Whoppy on ADVFN bb:
Rig costs have come down a lot, so the well cost has come down from about $120m, to $50-$60m. I think also with all the extra technical work and well design BPC have done, they reckon they can improve the ROP (rate of penetration) of the well which can save time and costs on drilling. If a major were to drill the well, then they would want to do a lot of extra work and use it as a scientific project aswell as an oil well. With regard to any offers, I'm not sure if BPC would ever refuse an offer but when you are in exclusivity and you may have had a low offer, because the major will know you're handcuffed to them and maybe desperate, there is not much you can do due to the exclusivity. Sure you can negotiate, but it's not like you can go and see whether you can get a better offer. I think Macquarie will be doing the advising on any offers and whether they should accept or not. Maybe they advised them to re-engage with others and get further financing to stop any lowball offers. Or maybe they are re-engaging as the major is open to other parties and want to share the backcosts and risks and BPC won't have to raise as much cash if they were in a consortium. I would have thought before BPC entered into an exclusivity and risk cutting yourself off, you would make it clear the percentages and backcosts you are looking for to make sure the exclusivity is worth everyone's time and money, otherwise it's a waste of time.