Off the wall guess. Combine 4 permits in AU into 1 and change the way they work so look more like bcga rather than conventional so you don't give up any of the land at the end of the term. Doing so might increase $ raised in AU placement, push on and maybe completing it next week prior to any XOM decision. Don't think it would be closing of placement today as the Symposium just happened/happening and could help to bring in more $. However if they have hit the number of $ they want, that could be it as well.
Like I said - off the wall idea.