The Bush Oil Company is deciding whether to drill for oil on a tract of land that the company owns. The company estimates that the project will cost $8 million today. Bush estimates that once drilled, the oil will generate positive net cash flows of $4 million a year at the end of each of the next 4 years. While the company is fairly confident about its cash flow forecast, it recognizes that if it waits 2 years, it will have more information about the local geology as well as the price of oil. Bush estimates that if it waits 2 years, the project will cost $9 million. Moreover, if it waits 2 years, there is a 90% chance that the net cash flows will be $4.2 million a year for 4 years, and there is a 10% chance that the cash flows will be $2.2 million a year for 4 years. Assume that all cash flows are discounted at 10%.
a. If the company chooses to drill today, what is the project’s net present value?
b. Would it make sense to wait 2 years before deciding whether to drill? Explain.
c. What is the value of the investment timing option?
d. What disadvantages might arise from delaying a project such as this drilling project?