maybe they have just secured the option for the drill rig,...

maybe they have just secured the option for the drill rig, without yet committing drill time/date with the provider.

This might make sense for two reasons:
1. They may not have exact availability dates from the provider yet
2. if MEO still felt the Farm-In deal was going to go through, the Farm-In partner would more than likely be the one to contract with the drilling provider instead of MEO, and also the Farm-In would commit to drilling more than one hole, changing the size & nature of the drilling contract.

Just my Opinion.