Every explorer on the ASX "plans" to drill ASAP. Reality is a...

Every explorer on the ASX "plans" to drill ASAP. Reality is a different story. As for the approvals you quote, I've already explained that it's apples and oranges. Not only do they need to apply for a number of other approvals (all of which require much more substantial work than varying permit terms), they would need to start acquiring long lead items and awarding service contracts. In 2010 they announced they'd started doing this in February, ~9 months out from the well.

Again, I am holding and am bullish on this. It's just going to be a slower process than what some on here are implying. It's theoretically possible they could drill by the end of the year if they have teams busting their guts to put the required applications together, but given the size of the companies involved, I'd consider it rather unlikely.