ERHC Energy Inc (ERHE)

[Gigwoof]

Manti FWIW I don't give rumors much sway unless whatever they pertain to is backed up by careful observation AND common sense. XOM has huge economic and political pull (they can pretty much "suggest" i.e. dictate the current admistration does whatever they need) and given the billions of barrels at stake in the Gulf Of Guinea I would be amazed if they don't somehow come up with much more than the goods you describe. IMHO their wheeling and dealing is one of the main reasons why the awards haven't been announced yet.

On the other side of that coin, I think it's a real possibility that XOM seek some kind of JV with ERHC since they have rights in many blocks, and that's VERY good news for both our company's reputation and the stock value. But even if they didn't, not only do we have operatorship of blocks 2 and 4, as you pointed out, but this also means that ERHC, PXD and NBL together now have huge leverage to negotiate good, quick returns for STP (they need cash very badly) through fast drilling/extraction in those blocks. So we have:
- Operatorship and technical capabilities
- Awards (not officially announced but PLAIN OBVIOUS.)

It's all falling into place.