I agree with you "as who would want to be a junior partner to them ?" The sooner we break with BHP the better.
But Apache is a junior partber to BHP in a number of permits. I wouldn't rule out Apache as being a potential buyer. It could also be a Japanese/Korean/Chinese purchaser of the LNG who takes an interest in the gas reserves.
It will be interesting to see if any of the J/V exercise their pre-emptive rights on TAP's sale of part interest in the Palmerston permit.
TAP Price at posting:
49.0¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held