I don't really understand why people think ESG would be at all...

I don't really understand why people think ESG would be at all interested in getting into bed with OIP. Basically OIP was spun out of ESG's need for cash and they released acreage they thought the least likely to be productive to do it. The intention was for OIP to chase conventional oil and gas. In addition as I understand it ESG has the rights to the CSG and is a big shareholder in OIP. So why would they be interested in spending their hard earned cash and energy fooling around with OIP.

I think a far more interesting move is the appointment of Morton and Langusch to be chairman and MD respectively. Morton was the MD of ESG at the time OIP was formed but apart from being a major share holder in ESG he has no further direct involvement with ESG. However both Morton and Langusch
are very much involved in the conventional O&G business in other companies.