Sorry but the thought that a block is awarded at a conference is absurd. Might ERHC have found out about the Kenyan blocks being available for award at a conference. Maybe. Might Kenya have met Ntephe or some other ERHC employee at a conference. Maybe. But the thought the something like a block award would happen in its entirely at some conference is the most ridiculous thing I have heard in a long time. Blocks are awarded after months of negotiations, due diligence on both sides and decision making. They are not passed out at conferences in a little goody bag.
I happen to know for a fact that Camac had the first option on the block ERHC eventually got. After Camac decided they no longer wanted that block and opted for some blocks offshore Kenya instead to diversify between onshore and offshore, ERHC was able to secure the block. NONE of this happened at a conference. So, believe whoever or whatever you want, but that information came directly from Camac. Maybe the people at Camac are not being truthful, but I think they are. Feel free to call them and find out for yourself. I did.
All Kenya ever said is they went to conferences and presented their opportunity to a roomful of people. Some followed up on it and others did not. That's the way it works. They awarded no blocks at any conference and anyone that says otherwise is wrong. That has NEVER happened it likely will NEVER happen.
By the way, if ERHC or any other oil company doesn't already know every country in Africa that has blocks available then they are not doing their job. People in the industry know how to find that out in a matter of minutes. It ain't that hard.
Conferences are fine for doing some networking but very little actual business takes place. That happens elsewhere.
