PNG LNG pipeline network completed

 THE PNG LNG project has remained on schedule to produce its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo by the middle of this year with the recent completion of its 292km onshore segment of the pipeline. 

The pipeline would transport natural gas from Hides gas conditioning plant to Omati River, where it connected to the project’s 407km offshore section of pipeline and then to the LNG plant near Port Moresby. 

ExxonMobil PNG senior project manager Sam Roxburgh said completion of the onshore pipeline, which rose 2,100m above sea level in some areas, was an important milestone for the gas project as preparations continued for LNG production this year. 

“This is yet another exciting milestone for the PNG LNG project and a great achievement for ExxonMobil PNG pipeline contractor Spiecapag and most importantly, for the people of Papua New Guinea,” Roxburgh said.

“The project team has worked in challenging conditions, including remote locations, steep terrain, high rainfall, flooding and large areas of swampland, to build this pipeline.” 

It took four years and over 28 million work hours to build the pipeline, with a dedicated team that included more than 5,000 Papua New Guinea citizens from communities stretching from Omati to Hides. 

“The pipeline was routed and constructed to avoid critical wildlife habitat and cultural areas such as sacred or archaeological sites,” Roxburgh said. 

“Also important were the efforts to minimise the project’s environmental footprint.” 

Native vegetation had been replanted along the onshore pipeline route.

The onshore pipeline diameter ranges from 32-34 inches.

In excess of 250 billion cubic metres of gas were anticipated to be transported through the pipeline.