apache deal, page-2

Hi Mecad

I agree a significant announcement...price of the deal and prospectivity of the field needs to be analysed by brokers etc before we will see decent appreciation on this ann.

However, my initial view is that in current climate any deal like this will initially be seen with some suspicion bearing in mind...

1. need for premium price for developed resources;
2. seller's motives will be questioned in terms of the valuation
3. prospectivity of the field for increased reserves is in the eyes of the purchaser and obviously yet to be proven
4. where is oil price going medium/long term?

On the plus side...
1. oil likely to spike upwards during hurricane season
2. Roc presently fully exposed on this field to upside on oil...with plans to hedge using options=expensive but better than no upside
3. extending relationship with Chinese I see as a major plus from point of view of ROC ultimately representing a takeover target for CNOOC and for them getting favourable consideration in other JVs eg. Beibu Gulf.
4. diversification is really a significant positive...the situation with Hardman in Mauritania is the classic example...sh*t happens!, so having several producing fields is very valuable

Plenty of other interesting issues to consider.

regards
DF