By PATRICK TALU
THE Chinese government yesterday announced a K25 million grant for the construction of a 20km public road in the vicinity of the Ramu nickel project in Madang.The fund was made available at the request of the Ramu nickel and cobalt project developer Ramu NiCo. Ramu NiCo president Luo Shu told a Port Moresby media conference that the road would be built from the Usino junction to Yamagi in the Ramu project’s Kurumbukari mining area.“I am proud to announce the additional commitment Ramu NiCo has negotiated from the Chinese government for the benefit of the people of the project area,” Luo said.“This grant is an indication of China’s commitment to the project and to PNG and is welcomed by the project owners. “We look forward to working in close cooperation with all Madang citizens in promoting the sustainable development of this province’s significant natural wealth.“We want to ensure that the people enjoy the benefits brought about by the project.”Luo said China viewed Papua New Guinea as a place of opportunity and its commitment to invest remained paramount.She expects construction to start as soon the government signed the necessary papers.The road is catered for in the current memorandum of agreement Ramu NiCo signed with the national and provincial governments and the resource owners and the project developer.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Polye to contest PM’s post
By ISAAC NICHOLAS
ACTING Prime Minister Don Polye has made known his intentions to contest the prime minister’s post.Polye said he would make public his candidacy at the National Alliance party convention in the Jiwaka region next month.He told reporters that there must be a strike of balance between all the other regions of the country, with Paias Wingti being the only prime minister from the region.“Now is the time to give a chance to the highlands region,” Polye said.He was speaking after announcing the ministerial portfolios of the new ministers last Thursday.“With the new ministries, I do not think the Somare-Polye government will fall.“The opposition cannot go and oust a government when you do not have a notice in parliament,” Polye said.He said the opposition was trying to mislead the public and create instability within government.The new cabinet ministers and their portfolios are Lucas Dekena (Lands), Francis Potape (Climate Change), Moses Maladina (Trade), Benjamin Poponawa ( Civil Aviation and Immigration), John Pundari (Mining), Timothy Bonga (Forest), Guma Wau (Culture and Tourism) and Fidelis Semoso (Bougainville Affairs).The climate change, trade and immigration are new ministries.“I ask the people of PNG, the public and private sectors to accord the new ministers their full support and cooperation.”Polye said the new team would be the backbone of the new-look Somare-Polye government, stressing that the team would not be moved in any political horse trading.He said the aim of the new group was to go into cabinet to discuss and review some of the controversial and much debated issues such as the amendments to the Ombudsman Commission Act.He said other bills brought before parliament would also be reviewed by the new leaders.“Nation building is not only to do with individuals with picks and shovels, plants and equipment or saws and hammers,’’ Polye said. “It is more so with the building of the culture in the mind and heart of hard work, strive, thrifty, industrious, honesty and justice in Papua New Guineans, children, women and men.“A society of high standard in values and principles is what we must build,” Polye said.Trade Minister Moses Maladina said the Ombudsman Commission Bill was introduced as a private member’s bill and he would also bring that up in cabinet for further disussion.
ACTING Prime Minister Don Polye has made known his intentions to contest the prime minister’s post.Polye said he would make public his candidacy at the National Alliance party convention in the Jiwaka region next month.He told reporters that there must be a strike of balance between all the other regions of the country, with Paias Wingti being the only prime minister from the region.“Now is the time to give a chance to the highlands region,” Polye said.He was speaking after announcing the ministerial portfolios of the new ministers last Thursday.“With the new ministries, I do not think the Somare-Polye government will fall.“The opposition cannot go and oust a government when you do not have a notice in parliament,” Polye said.He said the opposition was trying to mislead the public and create instability within government.The new cabinet ministers and their portfolios are Lucas Dekena (Lands), Francis Potape (Climate Change), Moses Maladina (Trade), Benjamin Poponawa ( Civil Aviation and Immigration), John Pundari (Mining), Timothy Bonga (Forest), Guma Wau (Culture and Tourism) and Fidelis Semoso (Bougainville Affairs).The climate change, trade and immigration are new ministries.“I ask the people of PNG, the public and private sectors to accord the new ministers their full support and cooperation.”Polye said the new team would be the backbone of the new-look Somare-Polye government, stressing that the team would not be moved in any political horse trading.He said the aim of the new group was to go into cabinet to discuss and review some of the controversial and much debated issues such as the amendments to the Ombudsman Commission Act.He said other bills brought before parliament would also be reviewed by the new leaders.“Nation building is not only to do with individuals with picks and shovels, plants and equipment or saws and hammers,’’ Polye said. “It is more so with the building of the culture in the mind and heart of hard work, strive, thrifty, industrious, honesty and justice in Papua New Guineans, children, women and men.“A society of high standard in values and principles is what we must build,” Polye said.Trade Minister Moses Maladina said the Ombudsman Commission Bill was introduced as a private member’s bill and he would also bring that up in cabinet for further disussion.
Friday, July 23, 2010
8 new faces join cabinet
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has rewarded the highlands region with five new faces in cabinet for helping him fight off a spirited bid to remove him from office.The prime minister ended a tumultuous week by appointing eight new ministers to an expanded cabinet, and promoting National Alliance party highlands region leader Don Polye to deputy prime minister.In a week of uncertainty which saw Deputy Prime Minister Puka Temu and Minister Belden Namah (Forest) and Charles Abel (Tourism) walk out to join forces with the opposition to topple the prime minister, all eyes were on Polye and his group.The highlands bloc held the key to the government’s survival, and were talking to the opposition while negotiating with Somare.When the notice of a motion of no-confidence was lodged with the speaker yesterday morning, they decided to remain with the prime minister.They were rewarded with the appointment of Polye as deputy prime minister and Benjamin Poponawa (Tambul-Nebilyer, NA), Lucas Dekena (Gumine, NA), Guma Wau (Kerowagi, URP), John Pundari (Kompiam-Ambum, PP) and Francis Potape (Komo-Margarima, URP) were made ministers.The other new ministers were Timothy Bonga (Nawaeb, NA), Moses Maladina (Esa’ala, RDP) and Fidelis Semoso (Bougainville, NA).Bonga takes the forestry portfolio vacated by Namah, Wau replaced Abel and Semoso is Minister for Bougainville Affairs.The portfolio of the other five ministers will be made known today.The prime minister said he would work on the determinations for the new ministries being created, and then announced them before he leaves for Fiji today for a regional leaders’ meeting.He said this was only a precursor to a major cabinet reshuffle to be announced in two weeks time.He described the new ministers appointed as well credentialed men who were well versed in politics.Sir Michael said the additional ministries would come out from the more-than-one portfolios looked after by individual MPs such as mining, lands, physical planning and civil aviation.Polye will be acting prime minister when Sir Michael leaves for Fiji.
Crowne Plaza boss wins top award
By GEEJAY MILLI
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THE much-coveted award from the Intercontinental Hotels Group for this year went to Crowne Plaza Port Moresby’s general manager Tim Pollock.The awards event was hosted in Singapore last week.The award has been considered an achievement not only for the Crowne Plaza but also for Papua New Guinea because the recognition covers countries in the Asia-Australasia region.Other participating nations included countries in Asia, the Pacific and Australia and New Zealand.The award had drawn attention to the vast potential that PNG has as a country in what it has to offer.The general manager’s award of the year looks at categories of financial management of the hotel, guest experience, how well the hotel does as a responsible business and community relations.Pollock received a surprise welcome back from the hotel personnel who expressed pride over his feat.“I am very honoured to have won the award I am privileged to be the GM of this hotel but I am just part of the achievement,” Pollock said.“It is the people who are a big part of this, and I would encourage the staff to keep up the great effort,” he continued.Pollock, who previously lived in PNG, is in his third year as Crowne Plaza general manager.
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THE much-coveted award from the Intercontinental Hotels Group for this year went to Crowne Plaza Port Moresby’s general manager Tim Pollock.The awards event was hosted in Singapore last week.The award has been considered an achievement not only for the Crowne Plaza but also for Papua New Guinea because the recognition covers countries in the Asia-Australasia region.Other participating nations included countries in Asia, the Pacific and Australia and New Zealand.The award had drawn attention to the vast potential that PNG has as a country in what it has to offer.The general manager’s award of the year looks at categories of financial management of the hotel, guest experience, how well the hotel does as a responsible business and community relations.Pollock received a surprise welcome back from the hotel personnel who expressed pride over his feat.“I am very honoured to have won the award I am privileged to be the GM of this hotel but I am just part of the achievement,” Pollock said.“It is the people who are a big part of this, and I would encourage the staff to keep up the great effort,” he continued.Pollock, who previously lived in PNG, is in his third year as Crowne Plaza general manager.
Gas project: Engine to propel economy
THE PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project offers a means to unlock value from the extensive gas resources and has the potential to transform the country’s economy.According to an assessment of the direct and indirect impacts of the proposed LNG project on the economy by Australia-based analyst ACIL Tasman Pty Ltd, the LNG will boost gross domestic product (GDP) and export earnings, providing a major increase in government revenue, royalty payments to landowners, creating employment opportunities during construction and operation, and providing a catalyst to further gas-based industry development.The analysis, which was approved by ExxonMobil, indicated that the benefits from the project would spread throughout the economy as the government applies the earnings from its substantial share of the project revenues to social and economic programmes.The analysis said: “This LNG project has the potential to improve the quality of life in PNG by providing essential services and enhancing the country’s productivity.“Benefits would also flow through the economy as the wages and salaries of project staff are spent and as suppliers provide a range of goods and services to the project.“Landowners stand to benefit from direct payments of royalties on production of gas and associated petroleum products, as well as improved social and economic infrastructure.”ACIL projected that the potential direct benefits offered by the LNG project are expected to flow from the following:1) Capital investment in LNG production and support facilities;2) Upstream gas production and processing development, pipelines, storage and other infrastructure, employment, direct cash flows to government and landowners in the form of taxes, royalties, development levies and other charges; and3) Returns on equity participation, potential for increased petroleum exploration and production (E&P) activity in the country.
NGE spuds first exploration well
NEW Guinea Energy (NGE) spudded its first exploration well at Panakawa oil prospecting licence in Gulf province last June 25, according to a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange yesterday.The drilling programme is managed by contractor Australian Drilling Services, using its contracted rig #6.Work has been progressing well for the last 10 daysThe Panakawa oil prospect is located in PPL 267.It was initially identified as a lead from the Yalis phase I seismic survey completed in 2006, and further delineated by the Yalis phase II seismic survey (Q3 2008).The prospect underlies the Panakawa oil seep which has a surface measured flow rate of five barrels of oil per day of 35°API oil and is ideally located less than 1km from Rimbunan Hijau’s Panakawa logging and veneer plant wharf.The statement said the Panakawa-1 well was targeting the lower cretaceous toro formation sandstone and several secondary reservoirs.Proposed total depth of the well is 2,323m in basement.The company expects the well to require approximately 30 days drilling.NGE is the sole owner of PPL 276.The company said apart from PPL 276, NGE also has five other onshore petroleum prospecting licences (PPLs) covering more than 52,000sqkm (including PPL 276).These PPLs contain an excellent exploration inventory of 59 prospects and leads, which include six drillable prospects.Ten top leads are currently being evaluated for upgrading to drillable prospect status.The oil-and-gas-focused explorer raised US$18.5 million (K49 million) early this year by a placement of 112,121,210 shares at US$0.165 per share to sophisticated or professional investors, it said.The fundraising was managed by Bell Potter Securities Ltd and was strongly supported by both institutional and sophisticated retail investors.The shares issued will rank equally with existing ordinary fully-paid shares on issue, with shareholders approving the matter at a meeting last week.NGE is partly-owned by Sir Michael Bromely, a PNG-based businessman who, at one time, ran one of the Highlands’ region’s large supermarket chains – the Bromley and Manton.
Petromin, Mitsui in joint project
PETROMIN PNG Holdings Ltd signed an agreement last Friday in Port Moresby with Mitsui & Co Ltd, Japan’s major trading company, to jointly undertake feasibility studies to identify and to set up new gas-resource based businesses.In a joint statement, Petromin managing director and chief executive Joshua Kalinoe and Shintaro Ambe, managing officer of Mitsui’s infrastructure projects business unit that their companies want to see downstream businesses established to create long-term job opportunities for Papua New Guineans.
LNG cargoes big challenge to ports
THE increasing volume of shipment destined for the liquefied natural gas project (LNG) is now causing big stress on the country’s major ports, but wharf operators are gearing up to handle it.“The impact is already here,” PNG Port Corp chairman Dr Ila Temu said during an interview at the Yacht Club last Thursday, where a shareholders’ “get to know” night was held.“Our big challenge is how prepared are we to support the economy … PNGPC is a stakeholder responsible for providing efficient port services in the country in light of commodity booms,” Temu said.“The heavy equipment and machineries destined for the LNG project have already put a massive strain on our port facilities.“Nevertheless, PNG PC has positioned itself to take up the challenge.“We are determined to handle that,” Temu told The National. PNGPC is restrategising itself to meet the demand by improving its port facilities, especially the Port Moresby and Lae ports.“Already, at least K40 million has been approved for two hub ports of Lae and Port Moresby to boost capabilities to handle the growing volume of cargoes being unloaded at the two wharves,” Temu said.“The volumes of containers with heavy machineries coming into Lae and Port Moresby ports were really huge and are putting stress on our facilities … but we are determined to face the challenge.“We already have scanning machines in place and Lae port is under expansion also,” Temu said.PNGPC is the former PNG Harbours Board which was privatised to operate as the government’s unit for port operations.
Petromin inks deal on LNG devt tech
PETROMIN PNG Holdings Ltd entered into a co-operative development agreement (CDA) yesterday with two international partners.This agreement is to investigate the prospects of introducing liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) technology to PNG.The partners are DSME E&R (ENR), a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) of South Korea, and Höegh LNG of Norway (HLNG).Both companies have worked on the shipping and processing components of the LNG FPSO technology respectively, and the technology is ready for immediate implementation.In a joint statement, Petromin managing director Joshua Kalinoe, DSME E&R chief executive officer Jin Seok Kim, and Höegh LNG board director Andrew Jamieson, said the CDA provided for a tripartite partnership among the companies to carry out a joint study to determine the technical and economic viability of developing the gas reserves of Papua New Guinea using LNG FPSO technology.“We have agreed to work together by entering into a co-operative development agreement signed today, to introduce the technology to Papua New Guinea.”
Petromin for offshore gas processing plant
By BOSORINA ROBBY
PETROMIN PNG Holdings Ltd yesterday presented to its major stakeholders the concept of having an offshore processing plant designed to greatly reduce the time and money spent on onshore pipeline laying and other concerns.Managing director Joshua Kalinoe said the liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) exercise would be the fastest means of commercialising the gas resources in PNG, especially for gas fields within the ocean’s proximity, with long-distance pipeline options to the onshore processing facilities.He said from the co-operative development agreement signed by Petromin and its international partners DSME South Korea and Hoegh LNG Norway on Tuesday, economic and technical feasibility studies would continue to provide a competitive option to gas owners in the Gulf of Papua, including the ELK/Antelope LNG project.Kalinoe said this would provide an alternative to gas owners and operators in the country to save time and money by having an offshore processing facility nearby, rather than through hundreds of kilometers of pipelines.The LNG FPSO technology will feature an offshore facility vessel that will be built by DSME, and will be able to store, process and prepare gas for export.The processing facility is projected to be capable of producing up to three million tonnes of LNG annually.Kalinoe said if everything went according to plan, the final investment decision should be made by Dec 31 to allow for the construction of the vessel to begin by next February and first cargo anticipated for late 2014.He said the technology also had the advantage of early monetisation of gas reserves when compared to conventional onshore LNG facilities and the training of many Papua New Guineans.He said the partnership with DMSE and Hoegh LNG would allow Petromin to fulfil its mandate as the national oil, gas and minerals company to join and deliver the first LNG FPSO facility in PNG.
PETROMIN PNG Holdings Ltd yesterday presented to its major stakeholders the concept of having an offshore processing plant designed to greatly reduce the time and money spent on onshore pipeline laying and other concerns.Managing director Joshua Kalinoe said the liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) exercise would be the fastest means of commercialising the gas resources in PNG, especially for gas fields within the ocean’s proximity, with long-distance pipeline options to the onshore processing facilities.He said from the co-operative development agreement signed by Petromin and its international partners DSME South Korea and Hoegh LNG Norway on Tuesday, economic and technical feasibility studies would continue to provide a competitive option to gas owners in the Gulf of Papua, including the ELK/Antelope LNG project.Kalinoe said this would provide an alternative to gas owners and operators in the country to save time and money by having an offshore processing facility nearby, rather than through hundreds of kilometers of pipelines.The LNG FPSO technology will feature an offshore facility vessel that will be built by DSME, and will be able to store, process and prepare gas for export.The processing facility is projected to be capable of producing up to three million tonnes of LNG annually.Kalinoe said if everything went according to plan, the final investment decision should be made by Dec 31 to allow for the construction of the vessel to begin by next February and first cargo anticipated for late 2014.He said the technology also had the advantage of early monetisation of gas reserves when compared to conventional onshore LNG facilities and the training of many Papua New Guineans.He said the partnership with DMSE and Hoegh LNG would allow Petromin to fulfil its mandate as the national oil, gas and minerals company to join and deliver the first LNG FPSO facility in PNG.
Construction at gas project in full swing: Esso H’lands
By PATRICK TALU
THE multi-billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project moved into full execution phase last March and is currently at the earliest stages of the four-year construction period.The environmental and social verification and monitoring systems and reporting protocols are also at an early stage of implementation.According to an executive summary statement from Esso Highlands Ltd managing director Peter Graham yesterday, much of the project activity would occur under six engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts being executed by some of the industry’s leading contractors.Graham said to date only one of the EPC contractors for the Komo airfield had commenced field construction activity, while the other EPC contractors remain in the execution planning phase.Additional to the EPC contracts, construction contracts were awarded last year for a programme of infrastructure upgrades in advance of the main construction activities in the Gulf and Southern Highlands provinces.Graham said the upstream infrastructure element of this programme incorporates civil works in the areas of Hides and Kutubu, upgrade and construction of new roads and bridges, construction of training facilities and camp construction, extension and refurbishment.Another contract covers early works at the LNG plant site and nearby area.Contracting is in advanced stages for two newly-built drilling rigs to drill and complete the project wells.Graham stressed that the recruitment and development of qualified Papua New Guinean citizens is a key component of the “project’s national content plan (NCP)”.“The strategy is to maximise the number of local employment opportunities, to in-crease the ratio of national employees over the life span of the project and to train them in the technical and professional skills necessary for working on existing, and future, projects and operations.”
THE multi-billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project moved into full execution phase last March and is currently at the earliest stages of the four-year construction period.The environmental and social verification and monitoring systems and reporting protocols are also at an early stage of implementation.According to an executive summary statement from Esso Highlands Ltd managing director Peter Graham yesterday, much of the project activity would occur under six engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts being executed by some of the industry’s leading contractors.Graham said to date only one of the EPC contractors for the Komo airfield had commenced field construction activity, while the other EPC contractors remain in the execution planning phase.Additional to the EPC contracts, construction contracts were awarded last year for a programme of infrastructure upgrades in advance of the main construction activities in the Gulf and Southern Highlands provinces.Graham said the upstream infrastructure element of this programme incorporates civil works in the areas of Hides and Kutubu, upgrade and construction of new roads and bridges, construction of training facilities and camp construction, extension and refurbishment.Another contract covers early works at the LNG plant site and nearby area.Contracting is in advanced stages for two newly-built drilling rigs to drill and complete the project wells.Graham stressed that the recruitment and development of qualified Papua New Guinean citizens is a key component of the “project’s national content plan (NCP)”.“The strategy is to maximise the number of local employment opportunities, to in-crease the ratio of national employees over the life span of the project and to train them in the technical and professional skills necessary for working on existing, and future, projects and operations.”
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