http://www.gulfkeystone.com/ The firms exploration programme in Algeria is going well and "the shares look good value", say the Investors Chronicle. Your comments please. goal.

Me too.2 small top ups at 170p,so the 210p is a good return for such a short time. Think i'll hang on and see how it pans out.

Dropping like a stone,over 12m trades,down to 204p at present.

About time this rumour was denied by the directors.

this morning Reuters.......

UPDATE 1-Exxon mulls 7 bln stg approach for Gulf Keystone-paper
18 Dec 2011 - 16:05

(Adds Gulf Keystone no comment)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil Corp is mulling a 7 billion pound ($10.9 billion) takeover of Kurdistan-focused explorer Gulf Keystone Petroleum , the Independent on Sunday reported.

The newspaper said that Exxon is considering making an estimated 800 pence per share bid for Britain's Gulf Keystone, which has made huge oil finds in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq.

"It's not our practice to comment on media reports, rumours or speculation," an Exxon spokesman told Reuters in an emailed statement.

Gulf Keystone also declined to comment.

Exxon has "sounded out" Gulf Keystone about the possible deal, said the report without citing its sources, adding that it is thought that the company would not accept an offer at the 800 pence per share level.

So they are going to buy Afren instead ......... I wish

No sooner than I said I had doubts about the 200p mark.......damn....for once not in....should have been.....

I had a little spare cash,so i bought a few more 195p. The news has been reported worldwide,giving it more clout this time? aimho

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/12/18/183185.html

"The latest crisis in Iraq is the result of the Sunni-backed political party Iraqiya suspending its participation in parliament to protest against Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Malikis centralization of power. (Reuters)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called on lawmakers on Sunday to withdraw confidence from one of his deputies, a Sunni Arab who described him on television as worse than Saddam Hussein.

Malikis push for Saleh al-Mutlak to be removed from his post comes amid a political deadlock with the deputy prime ministers Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc, which announced a day earlier that it was suspending its participation in parliament in protest at the premiers alleged centralization of power"

There is always the political risk, will never change in iraq but this company is phenomenal in maximising its assets it seems....jumped back in....a little late but if a bid does come ......it will be hefty....

about 20m traded so far

I wish Afren would rise as well.....

.

Co denial? No, both companies still mum.

.

Shorters have been putting out counter rumous, with no links, it seems, to scare people into selling.

Page 91 post 1802,refers to the last press story,a denial was issued early AM. So why haven't they issued such a RNS today?
Here's the RNS

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201109190746344622O

.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/19/gulfkeystone-exxon-idAFL6E7NJ1NE20111219?sp=true

J UK MARKET TALK ROUNDUP: SHARES GAINING

1234 GMT [Dow Jones] A bid by ExxonMobil (XOM) for Kurdistan-focused explorer Gulf Keystone (GKP.LN) "wouldn't be out of kilter at all," says VSA Capital analyst Malcolm Graham-Wood, who points out the 800 pence a share offer price first referenced in an Independent on Sunday story Sunday would be at the top end of most valuations. But Graham-Wood says this could be a tactic to execute a deal quickly: "when you fire the starting pistol, there will be competition. Go high early and you lock the opposition out early too." VSA Capital rates Gulf Keystone at buy with a 500p target. Gulf Keystone shares up 20% at 198p.

1125 GMT [Dow Jones] Gulf Keystone (GKP.LN) soars 24% to 204.75p on reports of a GBP7B bid from Exxon Mobil (XOM). Shares hit an all time high of 225.54p before paring gains following the reports. "If a bid was to emerge at or around the 800p [a share] level, it would be a huge offer, given the fact that Gulf Keystone's shares closed at 165.50p on Friday," says Joshua Raymond at City Index. However, Raymond says the premium is so high, he is viewing the speculation with a pinch of salt. Describes the potential 800p offer as either "generous or fanciful." Gulf Keystone was not immediately available for comment. Energy peers are also rising on the speculation, say traders. Heritage Oil is currently +5% at 179.6p. "

ONDON (Dow Jones)--Reports that Iraqi Kurdistan-focused U.K. exploration and production company Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP.LN) has received a bid approach from U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), potentially valuing the firm at more than $10 billion, is without foundation, a Gulf Keystone executive said Monday. A report in the U.K. Independent on Sunday said the U.S. giant was mulling taking over the explorer, which has made substantial oil finds in Iraqi Kurdistan region. Exxon recently signed an exploration deal with the semi-autonomous Iraqi region's government and speculation has circled that it is seeking to increase its acreage interests in the country. "The Independent [on Sunday] article is stupid. The Independent's article has no base. If there was a base to what the paper published we would have had to announce it. If we were having discussions to sell at GBP7 a share, we would have been legally announcing that," the Gulf Keystone executive, who asked not to be named, told Dow Jones Newswires. Exxon said: "It isn't our practice to comment on media reports, rumors or speculation." -By Hassan Hafidh and Alexis Flynn, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 207842 9471, hassan.hafidh@dowjones.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires December 19, 2011 07:53 ET (12:53 GMT) Copyright (c) 2011 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.