RE:Can they be shopping for a buyer? Doubt that any oil company wants replace EW and be subject to the whims of NIS. It is more likely that NIS, because of their resources, declared the well commercial, fully knowing its not, so that EW has no choice but to reneg on the contract. This way they can claim default of EW contract obligations and gain 100% control. This is just as plausible as what you suggest. What I dont know is what the contract says about any disagreements between NIS and EW wrt viability of the well. If its vague, could end up in court and I doubt EW has the resources to fight effectively