Santos is proud to recognise a historic milestone at the Kumul Marine Terminal (KMT), with the appointment of Jackson Jim as Team Leader, working back-to-back with Willie Mapal. This marks the first time the facility has been led entirely by Papua New Guinean nationals.
The achievement represents a significant moment in the history of one of Papua New Guinea's most important energy export facilities and reflects decades of investment in workforce development and capability building.
Located in the Gulf of Papua, the Kumul Marine Terminal is a critical piece of national energy infrastructure, serving as the primary offshore export terminal for crude oil production. Since commencing operations, the facility has played a vital role in supporting Papua New Guinea's petroleum industry and contributing to the country's economic development through safe and reliable oil exports.
Santos PNG Vice President PNG Operations, Rhys Ward, said the milestone demonstrates the strength of national talent and the company's commitment to developing Papua New Guinean leaders.
"The appointment of Jackson and Willie to lead the Kumul Marine Terminal is a proud achievement for Santos and Papua New Guinea. It reflects the dedication, professionalism and capability of our national workforce and demonstrates what can be achieved through long-term investment in people and leadership development.
"KMT is a critical asset within our operations. Seeing it fully led by Papua New Guinean nationals is a testament to the depth of talent within our workforce and our commitment to building sustainable careers for Papua New Guineans."
Santos Country Chair PNG, Leon Buskens, said the milestone reflects the company's long-standing commitment to developing Papua New Guinean talent and leadership.
"The Kumul Marine Terminal has been a cornerstone of Papua New Guinea's oil export industry for many years, and seeing it now fully led by Papua New Guinean nationals is a significant and proud achievement."
Jackson Jim, Team Leader, Kumul Marine Terminal, said he was proud to be part of the first fully Papua New Guinean leadership team at KMT, demonstrating Santos' commitment to developing local talent.
"I started with the company as an apprentice in 2007, so this is a proud moment for me personally. As PNG's petroleum industry continues to grow, I hope this achievement encourages more Papua New Guineans to see the opportunities available and pursue careers in the sector."
As Team Leader, Jackson Jim will oversee the safe and efficient operation of the terminal while continuing to champion operational excellence and workforce development. Together with Willie Mapal, the leadership team will continue to build on KMT's strong safety culture and commitment to reliable performance.
Santos congratulates Jackson, Willie and the entire KMT team on this landmark achievement and recognises their contribution to the continuing success of Papua New Guinea's oil and gas industry.
Background:
- Jackson joined the company in 2007 as an Apprentice, while Willie joined in 2002 as a Platform Operator Trainee.
- KMT commenced export operations in 1992.
- The first export cargo, #0001, was loaded on 27 June 1992 onto the Ten-ei Maru tanker, carrying 650,000 barrels.
- KMT has safely completed 1,064 loadings since that date.
- KMT has exported approximately 664.8 million barrels of oil in total, based on 1,064 loadings of approximately 650,000 barrels each.
- As of 31 August 2026, the facility has been in operation for 12,749 days, or approximately 34 years and two months.
- Throughout this period, KMT has safely exported oil from Papua New Guinea 1,064 times.
- Some KMT crew members have worked at the facility for more than 20 years, contributing to a highly experienced team.
