Jake, I think that both BPT and ICN have publicly stated that to...

Jake, I think that both BPT and ICN have publicly stated that to develop 218 and 855 would be "huge" and both would be "looking to get a large company with experience in shale gas extraction and development" on board.
Both admit that. Now, would BHP "come on board" or just take over the ship??
They might let BPT do more drilling and prove up more data then act, or, who knows??

But, must note that BPT is now a "corporate" company, i.e. over 62% is owned by its Top 20, who are all major fund managers or bankers. That suggests to me that with the right offer, BPT would go very quickly, with very little mum and dad shareholder resistance. With a market cap of low $1 billion, it would be small pickings for someone like BHP.
But, with thoughts of BHP entering into the Cooper Basin, wouldn't you think that there are "several others" who also see the attraction???? There are!!!

Meanwhile, as I reckon that there is still a lot to play before we see those sort of T/Os, the "game" will still be on between the local players.

TF, I wouldn't understimate Bounty's importance, they might look like chicken s in this huge prospect, but, they have 23.28% of the post permian section of 218. So, ICN and BPT have the majority holding in the upper section of 218.
Neither have any interest in the lower shale areas of 218 and if BPT get ADE, they will have 100% of the shale.

So, what I am saying, they are two totally separate resources and both ICN, who are the operator, and Bounty, are VERY keen to progress with the post permain section of 218 AND have the majority holding.
BPT can do what it likes with the shale in 218.

The only reason that Wakefield wasn't proceeded with is because that area has been under water. Bounty has indicated that Wakefield has exposed 4 new sites for wells to be sunk and that they would be expecting between 11 and 25 MMBO from Wakefield and the new wells, in addition to extensive quantities of CSG. Bounty are making money and also have over $3 million in the bank and access to funding.

So, with ADE out of the way, ICN and Bounty should be able to progress the oil and CSG plays in 218. Why would BPT hinder that?? Other than through pure bastardry and I somehow don't think that want to project that image so obviously.

Wakefield went to total depth of 2297m, suggesting that the post permian section stops there, i.e. at the end of the Triassic zone and will mst likely be the same in 855.

Holdfast, for example, reached 3487m, so, the shale is MUCH deeper and consequently a MUCH more expensive resource to exploit and make profitable than the post permian sections above. A VERY important point for ICN SH.
855 is a different ball game altogether re the BPT/ICN "relationship", but BPT definitely wants to proceed with that and why wouldn't they and ICN goes along for the ride at BPT's expense??

So, as I see it, and have said VERY often, the ball is still fair and square in ICN's court and IF they are good enough, why can't we see significant progress in coming weeks and months?? THAT is where RJ MUST stand up and be counted. There are REALLY NO, repeat, NO, excuses.