Papua New Guinea (PNG) hopes more LNG export capacity will be sanctioned soon, building on the successful start-up of the ExxonMobil-led 6.9mn t/yr PNG LNG venture this year. The LNG plant has transformed resource-rich PNG’s economy - it is expected to double government revenue over the next five years from 13.88bn kina ($10.6bn) in 2013. But the country’s inhospitable climate and terrain, political turbulence and poor corruption record have stalled energy projects in the past (WPA, 22 June 2012, p7). Despite initial issues with land owners, ExxonMobil brought PNG LNG on stream ahead of schedule and below its $19bn budget.
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