wild card

Let’s ignore the protesters for a bit. I expect they’ll waft off over time. Hopefully good drilling results come in 2013 before another fund raising at the end of the year. If management extract the digit there may be more local gas sales committed too.

Thinking ahead, a wild card in the pack though is LNG Ltd which could concern MEL investors next year. LNG didn’t participate in the fund raising this year and have let their blocking stake in MEL slip from just over 10% drop down towards 8% - probably prudently watching their own funds in a difficult capital market. But, if Petro China succeed with acquiring WCL & have their gas processed by LNG on a tolling basis, and if they then have the balance of 2 trains (total 3.8 mtpa of LNG) of their gas from the stalled Arrow JV committed to be processed by LNG, then LNG have no further need for their strategic stake in MEL, but are left with an ongoing need for cash. LNG then may decide to scrap their MEL investment in the coming year.