Low risk (discovered buy undeveloped) are exactly the assets Asian NOCs want given their access to low cost financing.

FORBES: McClendon Out At Chesapeake - Is A Takeover Next?

It was still unclear on Tuesday whether Pakistani players even had valid visas and no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

BBC: Third Indian Premier League begins with a whimper

Halliburton competes with Schlumberger and Baker Hughes in providing these services to oil majors, national oil companies (NOCs) and independent energy firms.

FORBES: Eagle Ford Shale Better Than Cheney (Almost) For Halliburton Fortunes

NOCs generally prefer to deal with one firm that can offer all the services they need rather than dealing with a crowd of different contractors.

ECONOMIST: The oil-services industry

Longer term plays such as heavy oil should be put into the mix for positive cash flow, as should joint ventures with serious NOCs to give BP much more market and political cover.

FORBES: BP's Fate: Igor Sechin's Hands?