NPCP happy with LNG progress

 MEMBERS of the National Petroleum Company of PNG (NPCP) board and management were impressed with the progress of PNG LNG Project’s plant site near Port Moresby during a recent visit there.

The state-owned NPCP is a co-venturer in the billion-kina liquefied natural gas project, which is due to produce first gas in 2014. 

NPCP acting managing director Wapu Sonk said the project was more than 80% complete and NPCP, as the third largest partner in the project, was “extremely pleased” with the progress. 

“We thank the operator, ExxonMobil, for delivering such progress despite the complexity of the project and the many challenges right throughout the project footprint,” Sonk said.

“Critical to the progress has been ExxonMobil’s drive for safety of all employees and contractors, project management and greater awareness of the environment and community they operate in. 

“On behalf of the board and management of NPCP, I as the acting managing director for NPCP, thanked ExxonMobil for the opportunity given to us as partner to visit and tour the LNG Plant site,” he said.

The construction phase of the project is expected to wind down by next year with full scale production by the end of 2014 and early 2015.