Dept to conduct inspection

The National Business

PHYSICAL inspections of petroleum project facilities have not been carried out diligently by government officers for several years, Department of Petroleum and Energy (DPE) secretary David Manau says.
Manau said therefore this year, with funding support, the department planned to undertake a detailed inspection exercise and inspection trips to all licensed areas in the country.
He said under the department’s work plans and key priority activities for this year, which was concluded last month, they listed all the important monitoring and compliance activities that needed immediate action and funding support.
Manau said one of which was the inspection exercise.
“The Kutubu oil project which was commissioned in 1991, is a matured project but still plays a significant role in the oil and gas business,” he said.
“Although oil production has declined over the years in the matured fields, it’s the facilities and assets that are key ingredients to any field developments, in the region, be it oil or gas.
“Therefore, it is important that our inspectors and engineers are given all the support under their regulatory mandate.
“And the same may be said of the other oil and gas projects as well.”
Meanwhile, the new DPE secretary said the department also had some main policy initiatives for this year which include:

  • Formal launching of the approved National Energy Policy.
    He said DPE’s energy wing would launch the policy initiative this year;
  • National electrification roll-out plan.

Manau said the energy wing of the department would also lead financiers’ consultations and conclusions or roundtable discussions before June this year;

  • The Bills for the National Energy Authority and National Petroleum Authority are under legal review for due processes, through Petroleum and Energy Minister (Kerenga Kua) to Parliament for tabling this year; and,
  • Domestic Market Obligation policy and local content policy are under review for final product before June this year.