LNG project ‘on track’

PETROLEUM Minister Kerenga Kua says the country is on track to see the US$12 billion (K41.28 billion) Papua LNG project proceed.
Kua told Parliament yesterday that pre-feed (front end engineering design) work had already begun.
The actual feed will start towards the end of the year and take up 2022.
A Fid (final investment decision) and construction phase will follow in 2023. After a meeting this week with Total E&P Ltd’s vice-president, Kua said the Government was assured that the project “is a top priority for the company”.
“They have already started work on the pre-feed process,” Kua said.
“The actual feed process will start around October and November.
“And that will take another four months or so to complete.
“It will take up 2022.
“And by 2023, they will be in a position to go into a final investment decision. Once they cross that line and secure financing, construction will begin slowly in 2023.”
Kua said to reach the development forum stage, social mapping and landowner identification among other processes must be completed.
“A big part of that process has been completed and we are ready.
“But there is a court injunction in place stopping us (from continuing) with the process for landowner identification and social mapping.”
Kua said his department had filed an application in the National Court to remove the injunction.