50 cargoes exported

 By SHIRLEY MAULUDU

THE PNG LNG project has exported 50 cargoes so far, ExxonMobil PNG Ltd managing director Peter Graham said. 

Graham will leave satisfied after witnessing 50 LNG cargoes leaving the shores of PNG which he described as a “milestone”. 

The National Petroleum Company PNG (NPCP) previously stated that single shipment costs between US$50 million and US$60m (between K126.2m and K151.4m). 

Graham said the export (of the cargoes) was more than what was expected for this year.  

“Last Saturday we had the milestone. Our first fifty cargoes have left the shores. And that’s a real milestone for us. Fifty cargoes in the first year – that’s more than double than what we thought we could use this year,” he said. 

However, Graham said: “We haven’t finished yet so we’re hoping to load more cargoes before the end of the year.”

Graham will be leaving at end of next month after working with ExxonMobil PNG since the project’s construction phase.

Andrew Berry will be taking over from him.

“He (Berry) is here now so I’m handing things over to him progressively between now and when I leave,” Graham said. 

He expressed satisfaction working in the country and described working among Papua New Guineans as “very rewarding”. 

“It’s now settled down to steady state of operation so it’s time for me to move on. 

“It’s been exciting, never been a dull moment on the project. 

“Papua New Guineans and the government have been very supportive. It has been very rewarding working among Papua New Guineans. Papua New Guineans responded well to the opportunities.

“And for Papua New Guineans that we have been dealing with, they are doing great work for us and they are keen to learn and it’s just really exciting to see people grow in their job and learning new skills and applying their talents,” Graham said.