It's not often that one gets to analyze a company on the basis of this standard microeconomics exam question: is it advisable for a firm to continue to operate? When firms are in poor circumstances, they are usually in a stable but unprofitable scenario with hopes of profits in the future, or so heavily indebted that bankruptcy seems to be the only viable option. While this is more a fun exercise than a legitimate recommendation to shut down, it does show the very bleak short-term situation that Magellan Petroleum faces today.