I worked for SLB and if Treaty was pushing the project back then this is a common practice.  A bid is only good for 45 days.  That is a lot of money being tied up at the shop while delays are happening.  The probable scenario is a better long term job came up so they laid there cards on the table.  Not to knock Treaty but SLB is the biggest Service company in the world and they won't lose sleep if they are on Treaty's bad side.  That is not a good thing to be dealing with by Treaty.  I would much rather a third party doing it even if it cost us a little bit of money.  Treaty personel has been doing all the other projects that aren't complete yet.  JMHO.  Hopefully I'm wrong and it all works out though.