I would not read too much into this.

Quite possibly some engineering detail being worked out. It is unlikely that Saudi Aramco is short of funds (or the ability to borrow).

Mattthew Simmons agrees that there is oil in Manifa, it is not a problematic reservoir. Rather the oil itself is problematic (too much vanadium).

We are several years (2011 ?) from production, so a couple of months delay on the front end is, IMHO, no big deal.

Best hopes for a gentle downslope post-Peak Oil,

Alan

I'm not "reading too much into it." I'm curious about what the delay is, and how long it is, that's all. I'm not worried that Manifa is in terminal decline, I assure you.

What I do suspect is "Thunder Horse syndrome." It always takes longer than they think it will take. Which is why I mistrust the "bottom-up" estimates.