Photo Credit: Total
The US$12 billion (K41.28 billion) Papua LNG project is on track, according to Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua.
Pre-feed (front end engineering design) work has already begun, Kua informed Parliament.
The real feed will begin at the end of this year and last until 2022.
In 2023, there will be a Fid (final investment decision) and a building phase. Kua said the Government was guaranteed that the project will be completed after meeting with Total E&P Ltd's vice-president this week.“is a top priority for the company”.
“They have already started work on the pre-feed process,” Kua said.
“The actual feed process will start around October and November.
“And that will take another four months or so to complete.
“It will take up 2022.
“And by 2023, they will be in a position to go into a final investment decision. Once they cross that line and secure financing, construction will begin slowly in 2023.”
Social mapping and landowner identification, among other steps, must be accomplished, according to Kua, in order to reach the development forum level.
“A big part of that process has been completed and we are ready.
“But there is a court injunction in place stopping us (from continuing) with the process for landowner identification and social mapping.”
Kua stated that his agency has applied to the National Court to get the injunction lifted.
Reference: The National (12 August 2021). “LNG project ‘on track’”.
