Ann: Investor Presentation , page-20

I don'tt think this article represents sentiment that OEL will lose the block. I think the money the DOE receives on the bids is peanuts compared to what it receives in taxes from a producing well

So they are looking for the company that can drill some holes at the earliest time which put OEL in a good position considering they have a head start on funding as well as planning for a drill

Secondly there is a possible lose of trust if the DOE took the block from OEL potentialy making it difficult for them to find companies to bid on this or there other blocks, which is not a good start for a roadshow which the DOE seems to be planning.

Also I assume OEL has some good contacts in the DOE having come thus far.