Total, Partners Select Site for Papua LNG

Partners in the PRL 15 joint venture have endorsed recommendations from Total for key project infrastructure sites for development of the Elk-Antelope gas field in Papua New Guinea. 

Caution Bay near Port Moresby has been selected as the site for the LNG plant. The already operational PNG LNG plant is adjacent to the selected site.

The project known as Papua LNG will be operated by Total and includes InterOil and Oil Search.

The central processing facility for the Elk-Antelope gas field, on which the project is based, will be near the Purari River in the Gulf province, about 360 km north-west of Port Moresby, and will be connected to the LNG facility by onshore and offshore gas and condensate pipelines. 

Selection of the final development concept, including the size and capacity of facilities, is expected in early 2016 when appraisal of the Elk-Antelope field has been completed, Inter Oil said. This will be followed by front-end engineering and design with early works scheduled to begin later in 2016.

InterOil Chief Executive Michael Hession said the venture would now enter basis of design, a significant milestone for the Papua LNG project.