QS Energy Inc (QSEP)

[Shrimclim]

Whacky, I'm sympathetic to your post. However, the answer to your question lies in JOB SECURITY. Yes, TransCanada/Kinder et al are mega corporations with virtually unlimited resources, but there's at least one Achilles heel here -- salaried engineers run these companies. Yes, sadly, the most ultra-low risk taking employees on the planet are IN CHARGE of making this contract decision.

We couldn't be working with a less inclined to take RISK group of people if we'd tried to "engineer" them ourselves, and, of course, we wouldn't. Instead, we would've "engineered" our AOT deal with the Oil & Gas Wildcatters of a bygone era. Those guys would have rolled the dice or made this contract decision over a shot of whiskey and a game of 5 card stud.

As a former boss of mine constantly reminded me, during similar contract negotiations with ultra-conservative IT engineers, "IT IS WHAT IT IS!" I know, sounds like a meaningless tautology, but, alas, it is where we are with TC and KM. We are hanging our hopes on the whims and fears of engineers losing their jobs if they make the wrong decision (or if their favorable decision on buying/leasing the AOT can be used to mock and disparage them later) thus risking their cozy nice, high paying engineering jobs in quasi-gov't like institutions.

Consider it from the ultra-risk averse engineer's perspective. WHY SHOULD I RECOMMEND AOT TO MY BOSSES DESPITE THE COMPELLING SCIENCE AND AFFIRMATIVE INDEPENDENT EVALS OF THIS "NEW" AND "UNPROVEN" IN A REAL CONTRACT SITUATION TECHNOLOGY?" The RISK to my comfy lifestyle is MUCH TOO GREAT to be rash. Let's wait for some other engineer to put his neck (comfy job) on the line.

So it goes: One oil pipeline engineer stands on the sidelines waiting for the next engineer lemming to take the leap first, then he'll follow. But LEAD, NO WAY!

Sorry, ZERO-guys & gals, we have to wait for one engineer to tell his bosses that he/she's READY to risk his/her employment on a recommendation to SIGN THIS CONTRACT.

"IT IS WHAT IT IS."