Papua New Guinea fails to step on the gas
Despite promising resources, disputes over payment terms are stalling progress
ExxonMobil's latest discovery in hydrocarbon-rich Papua New Guinea hangs under a cloud of continuing unrest among landholders that threatens the country's gas-exporting ambitions. In mid-January, the company reported finding gas in the onshore P'nyang field, adding to what Liam Mallon, president of ExxonMobil Development, describes as a "rapidly growing inventory of low cost-of-supply natural gas in PNG". The supermajor has a 49% interest in the block, with drilling operator Oil Search having 38.5% and JX Nippon holding the remaining 12.5%. However, the PNG government—which is sitting on some of the cheapest gas in the region—has been embroiled in a simmering years-long dispute over its fail
Also in this section
8 May 2024
Despite Australia’s first import terminal nearing completion, the prospect of additional regasification projects is far from certain
7 May 2024
Ample stocks and a soft demand outlook will limit how much LNG Europe can import this year
3 May 2024
Upcoming elections are likely to deliver a win for the party of president Andres Lopez Obrador, but analysts differ over to what degree his successor will stick to his energy policies