I think more along the line of oportunist than conspiacy.

The oportunity for SKP to tie up land via a joint venture providing further oportunity.

Now if WEL was to move forward on it's own... anounce that drilling was underway then maybe WEL cound get some momentum on it's own. It is this lack of progress at this time that has stalled the advance of the share price.... and thus providing the oportunity for others.