Transition moving smoothly

 By GYNNIE KERO

PUMA Energy will use the InterOil brand for up to a year on service stations around the country, an official says.

InterOil chief executive Dr Michael Hession said the company was pleased with the transition of its refinery and fuel distribution business to Puma Energy following the sale of the businesses two weeks ago.

“The transition from InterOil to Puma is going well,” he said.

Hession said: “Under our sales and purchase agreement, Puma may use the InterOil brand for up to a year on service stations though it will be Puma’s decision after that as to whether they keep the brand.

“About 700 InterOil staff from InterOil’s refinery and downstream business has moved across to the Puma payroll and InterOil will continue for the next few months to assist with the transition of support services to the new owner.

“On our exploration effort, we are continuing our exploration and appraisal programme, which involves up to eight wells in 2014-15,” he said.

“We are building our exploration business and now employ more than 2000 staff and contractors in seismic, drilling and technical work, mostly in PNG.

“We expect to soon complete the transition of staff from InterOil’s Cairns office, most of whom will move to Port Moresby, to reflect the reality that our business is in Papua New Guinea.”

Hession said InterOil was still recruiting staff for its exploration business and was seeking people with skills in finance, accounting, geosciences, supply chain and information management.

Meanwhile, Hession had been briefing key government officials this week on the company’s flood relief efforts and exploration programme in Gulf.

Hession, who spends his time between Port Moresby and InterOil’s head office in Singapore, said the company had provided more than four tonnes of emergency rations, medical supplies and temporary shelter for villagers along the Purari River during heavy flooding over the past three weeks.

“We have diverted helicopters and barges to the relief effort and are pleased that the National Disaster Centre, the Gulf Provincial Government and the National Government have now taken a leading role.

“Of course, we would like supplies to get more quickly to the areas most in need but this has not been physically possible because of the heavy rain, flooding and low cloud, which has often prevented aircraft from flying to remote areas,” he said.