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.

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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.

http://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2011/12/19/analysts-weigh-exxons-possible-kurdistan-oil-play/


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The State Department
Sat, 17 December 2011
Mostafa Zein
http://bit.ly/vgJLdv


Iraq, and Exxon Mobil’s involvement in it, is part of the strategy of the new Cold War – a strategy that extends to Iraq and the Middle East. Several reports have revealed an agreement between Washington, Ankara and the Kurds to export the oil produced by the company now and in the future to Turkey, so that it may become, after having been supplied with Qatari natural gas, the main center of export to Europe

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201112191610382700U


Gulf Keystone notes the continued unfounded press speculation regarding a potential offer for the Company. The Board of Gulf Keystone ("the Board") does not normally comment on speculation, but confirms that it remains committed to creating value for shareholders, via the continuing 2011/2012 exploration and appraisal programme on its world-class assets in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

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Never know what to expect next......still think that a takeover is a big, big, possibility....

so that story didn't last long!

Yes,about time too. Unacceptable delay imo,which does not go down well,especially
as a director gave info to a reporter(completely put of order).

Some comments around the boards.
Reporter(via twitter)stands by his article,expected the denial this am.
Some feel the RNS is carefully worded(in the present tense),
SP up more than 12p,but more important it's now well on the radar screen?
Also only several days trading left and Bekhme-1 results promised, DEC.

45m traded today and i'm also very happy to keep holding

the press release ex reuters is as below

LONDON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd :

* Petrol - response to press speculation
* Notes the continued unfounded press speculation regarding a potential offer for the company

* Confirms that it remains committed to creating value for shareholders

* Board is not in discussions with regard to a sale of the company


cyril's reportage from other sources it is rather clutching at straws, but time will tell

Glad I kept my cash in my pocket, still hold what I've got and happy to wait and see. still think 150 - 160 till new yr.,.

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If only the Falkland's oil was that easy to drill

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Todays news, Spudding os S-6.
http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201112200700132888U



An interesting read.

Ray Zondetra on iii:

I rarely post on the GKP BB, but as a board director of a leading London PR agency (and owning a decent stake in GKP), this story is just so easy to read:

1. This story came from GKP IMO. Look at the detail in the story and examine the recent significant behavioural change including rushing out an RNS on a drill where they are not even the operator.

2. Classic end of story line in the Indie on Sunday - GKP "declined to comment". How many times have I needed to get a story out but insisted on this end line! Usually a condition of any leak!

3. Look at the GKP statement as stated by Hub. Having written numerous holding statements in my time for various clients for national newspapers, it's all about the EXACT wording. Ignore the eegits who claim this is a comprehensive denial, they're talking total rubbish. They have left so many options open of what could be happening you could drive a horse and cart through. When you issue a denial statement you always need to leave a way out if needed... staying two steps ahead.

4. The "baseless" claim given to the Dow news wire is a classic back covering exercise from an unnamed source at GKP. Always good to to demonstrate to your partners that you're working with them and not solely for your own interests. No wonder they remained nameless...

5. I am not surprised the RNS arrived late in the day. With clearance and approval time, including commentary from a potential army of lawyers and PR's in both Iraq and the US. The benefit of the RNS arriving late suited GKP, as newswires across the world, including - crucially - the US picked up the story BEFORE the late RNS. A 7am RNS would have prevented global pick up of the story.

6. Mark Leftly - used to cover the media patch on the IoS. Not had many dealings with him but he is well respected in the industry and a good journo.

Far more confident after today's fun and games!

GLA

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