RE: Read the NR carefully ....Saturn,
IMO, the first nine words in your post of the NR excerpt are the most relevent: "...The Company estimates that it may be able to..."
Unfortunatey, I think that those words clearly indicate the totally speculative nature about trying to predict any dates for permitting or exploratory drilling. In my business, if I were to hear one of my suppliers tell me that he "...estimated that I may be able to receive my order..." or more significantly if I were to say to one of my clients that "...I estimate that I may be able to deliver your order...", I can tell you without a doubt that it would result in the end of the business relationship. There is no way that the terms "estimates that" or "may be able to" can be used when trying to determine an even moderately accurate time-frame.
I'm not trying to say that you're incorrect in your timelines since anything can happen, but the past history of NAG has not been too stellar when it comes to accurate date predictions.
I'm not trying to bash the Company or the NR, but I think that it's important for everyone to recognize the specific words that create the vague and uncertain possibilities that lead to wishful thinking. IMHO.