“This is another important project milestone, as it allows the project team to secure final approval for the detailed environment management plans which will guide implementation of the construction works,”? ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso Highlands Managing Director Peter Graham said.
The PNG LNG Project joint venture partners have said they will continue to work with the Department of Environment and Conservation, other government departments and its potential lenders to secure related environmental and social management plan approvals. A final investment decision on the project is expected in December.
The project envisages an integrated development of the Hides, Angore and Juha gas fields as well as associated gas from the Kutubu, Agogo, Gobe and Moran oil fields. The gas will be transported to the LNG plant near Port Moresby through more than 700 km of large diameter pipeline. The first LNG cargo is expected to be shipped in early 2014.
Joint venture participants in the PNG LNG Project include ExxonMobil as operator, Oil Search, Santos, Nippon Oil, Minerals Resource Development Company and Eda Oil Limited.