should BPT take out ICN now?, page-20

An alternative to BPT securing a GSA is to ride on Chevron. Being the 2nd largest O&G company in USA, CVX would have its global sales and distribution infrastructure in place. If/When the CB shale gas is in full production, CVX's massive 60% share will ensure that markets will be found for the gas. In this sense, Chevron is BPT's GSA.

On another note, the latest shale gas news seems to be that BHP is eyeing Oz shale:

"BHP Billiton is interested in developing a presence in Australia's growing shale gas industry at a time when other global oil companies are eying the nation's shale potential and after BHP made a big splash in US shale acquisitions in 2011, according to media reports.

“We're going to be very studious in Australia and we're going to be very studious in Europe,” BHP's petroleum chief Michael Yeager told Bloomberg. “You'll see us start to take land positions and you'll see us possibly do some things.”

Mr Yeager has previously singled out the Canning Basin in Western Australia has having especially good prospects for shale gas development, The Australian reported.

But Mr Yeager's comments this week in Houston represent the first time BHP has said it is preparing to enter Australia's shale gas market."

As per link: http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/BHP-prepares-to-enter-Aust-shale-gas-market-pd20130306-5JNLX?OpenDocument&src=hp9

Now that Kloppers is on the way out, will BHP apply a different acquisition strategy than that for its US shale investment?

Cheers all.