i don't think it is "a pretty simple and generalized way of looking at everything".
what's being identified here is the risk factor relating to factors completely outside the scope of the negotiations themselves. for both sides, there is a risk that factors outside the control of either party place the project at risk. these are items that neither party can control which it is why it is incumbent on both sides to complete their negotiations as expeditiously as possible. the legal term for it is that "time is of the essence".
in this example, the end of the boom was identified as a risk to be avoided. similar risks would be interest rates, construction costs, public policy, third party circumstances including bankruptcy, exchange rates etc.