PNG LNG operator working smoothly despite pandemic

The National Business

NORMAL production operations are continuing for the PNG LNG project despite the impacts of the Covid-19 in certain locations across the world, operator ExxonMobil PNG says.
A company spokesman said this in response to queries from The National with regards to international liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes being diverted from India due to a surge in the Covid-19 cases there.
When asked whether PNG LNG project’s cargoes went through India, the spokesman said: “The PNG LNG project’s cargoes do not travel via India to China.
“We note the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted LNG demand in certain locations across the world.
“The PNG LNG project production operations are continuing as normal, allowing us to meet our contractual obligations to our customers and project stakeholders.”
Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua said last month that the outlook for the industry was positive with current prices high. “The outlook for the industry is still good and positive and the industry is still in very strong shape,” he said.
Kua acknowledged that the Covid-19 still posed a threat to the industry.
He said, in terms of the PNGLNG project, ExxonMobil PNG Ltd had taken a professional approach to deal with the concern.
Meanwhile, Oil Search Ltd in a previous response to The National, said the surge in Covid-19 cases in PNG had not affected its production and operations.
“To date, there has been no impact to production in our Oil Search operations in PNG as a result of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases,” the company stated.
“The increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country has prompted Oil Search to enact its crisis and emergency management plans.
“The health and safety of our employees remains the company’s highest priority and teams have been assembled in PNG and Sydney to deploy support to protect our people and to ensure the safety and reliability of our operations.
“At our PNG field locations, we continue to operate under precautionary protocols established in 2020, which includes redeployment of non-essential personnel, restriction of access and travel to field locations and implementation of strict preventative measures and quarantine zones.”