Pipeline security concern

 By MALUM NALU

PIPELINE security remains the biggest concern for the PNG LNG project, says Esso Highlands Ltd managing director Peter Graham. 

Graham said yesterday the project would be working closely with impacted communities along the pipeline from Hides in Hela to the Omati River delta, in Gulf, to get their support and instill a sense of ownership in them, as they would be the ones who would ultimately provide security.

The offshore pipeline between Omati and Port Moresby has been completed, while the onshore component runs from Omati to Kutubu in Southern Highlands, with the final stretch between Kutubu and Hela.

“That is arguably the most challenging piece of the project that’s left,” Graham said.

“It’s difficult, technically, because of the terrain and it’s going through areas where there hasn’t been much work in the past.

“We’re working with the communities to make them understand what it means to have a pipeline coming through, talking with them about employment opportunities that do exist and don’t exist.

“That’s where a lot of our focus is today.

“There’s a huge effort going on in community projects, to get the support of the community as we go through.

“We haves lands and community affairs blokes who are out every day talking to the community leaders about their needs, how do we build capacity in the communities, things like supporting  and mediation with schools in the area, or building a meeting place for people in the community so they can get together and discuss issues.”