Ann: Change in substantial holding, page-4

I cannot see L1 making a T/O attempt for COE, because L1 is an Investment Mgr - they are not a Private Equity Investment house as far as I know. They would not have the mgt expertise to manage and operate an O&G company.
Having said that, as you say, they quite probably are positioning themselves in readiness for a T/O attempt from another O&G operator, or a bottom feeder investor. There would be plenty of those around who can sniff a bargain. Yes, a predator grabbing a holding like L1's, would give that predator a pretty much unassailable lead.
With COE SP holding at these low, low levels, it would not take much to get the other Insto holders over the line IMHO.