"A few moments later, we are talking to the same TXM personnel with whom we talked earlier and politely refused any information about the operation. He nervously inquires about which side of the barricade we are, because we are not allowed to venture beyond the barricade."

Well, we know for sure he wasn't talking to Mark! :)

Thanks for the full article John. One of our saving graces with the Falcon investment is the central Europeon location of the Mako Trough. I don't think our investment would be holding up quite as well if the trough were in North America given the amazing increase in shale production in North America. Besides Exxon's deep basin play in Germany and the rich fields off the coast of Norway, are there any other basins in Europe that would indicate that European shale production could escalate to the same degree that it has in North America and possibly put the need for the Mako on the backburner?? Regards Paul