‘Positive support from govt’ giving Exxon reason to lift growth

EXXONMOBIL PNG Ltd will continue to invest in Papua New Guinea as the company has received positive support from the Government and its people, managing director Andrew Barry says.
Barry told the 2018 Leaders’ Summit yesterday in Port Moresby that the support it received in the PNG LNG project had given it confidence to tap into other potential areas in the country.
“One area is the domestic gas supply. The 40 per cent of power supplied to Port Moresby now comes from the PNG LNG gas,” he said.
“But I’d say those gas are not impacted by the earthquake.
“We have got gas that is continuously being supplied into Port Moresby at the moment.
“All these achievements, ExxonMobil has not done it alone.
“It is incredible the team effort and the leadership required to get the PNG LNG across the line. It’s right across the board from the prime minister to the ministers to concerned government departments, agencies and entities.
“When we talk about expansion in this country, it’s because of the success of the PNG LNG project, and the relationship and the leadership shown by the Government.
“It’s because of our confidence in this Government and country that we are investing more making note of the acquisition.”
Meanwhile, Barry also noted that the company shut down its Hides operation following the earthquake.
“We have shut down our Hides operations and subsequently shutting the LNG plant to assess what the damage we may have. Everything is secure,” he said.
“It is uncertain at this time (when to re-start). We’ve got experts from both within the country and outside who have come in to assess our equipment.
“Right now, we don’t have all the information around the impacts on the community but we believe it’s extensive.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those affected.
“We will be working with the Government and all the agencies to do everything we can to assist in the recovery of the communities that are affected.”