InterestingMy take is that OPC was not planning to release news, but something 'potentially' material is involved. Lots of potential scenarios.
No news is one thing - until it is final, they are not obligated to provide an update. However, now they have to release news. If something material is in play, they can't really use the "we're not aware" line. If it is in play, likely others are involved (banks, buyers, rating agency, private placement....) and they'd need to make sure those parties are all in a room and on board with whatever they say.
If whatever is in play was at all positive - this would have moved the other way. So the question is how negative is it? Worse than the December news, more of the same, firesale on assets (forced by the banks). Production issues wouldn't help the stock, but wouldn't trigger this kind of exit either - unless the latest wells are producing nothing but H20.
In any event - there are 240+ millions shares, and probably less than 3 Million changed hands this morning. The rest was people jumping out and then back in (IMO).
As for the RCMP - please. They are not going to have much sympathy for anyone who is holding shares in OPC. There is a reason they were at 68 cents.