For some odd reason, I still see this as a viable option. BP is losing quite a few patents, but will they have enought capital to fork up what Al is asking for?
The big money IMHO is in China and I'm sure if negotiations went long into the night the last time they had discussions, this time around will be different with the positive data results that they have in hand and the market potential they have in Asia.
This will definitely up Al's hand in negotiations, but would the US Gov't even allow China to fork up this technology if BP doesn't?
20-30B for a buyout, maybe? That's chump change if the Chinese gov't has their hand in it.
Oh good times ahead ...
