1 week Ago By Dale Luma
THE PNGLNG project has contributed more than K27 billion in benefits back to the State, according to ExxonMobil senior vice president for Global LNG Peter Clarke. He told the Petroleum and Energy Conference yesterday in Port Moresby that the PNGLNG project through its many partnerships has delivered significant and lasting benefits for Papua New Guinea. “For over a century now, ExxonMobil has focused on opportunities to grow our business in Papua New Guinea through a shared vision and collaboration with all levels of government, local businesses, co-venture partners, land coves and our diverse landowner communities,” Mr Clarke said.
“In this way together, we have built a resilient, successful and very importantly globally respected LNG industry in this country. “All of us at ExxonMobil are extremely proud of our operations here and the value they have delivered to the country and its people. “And of course we feel a great sense of responsibility to both preserve and importantly build upon that foundation in the future.
“In its first decade of operations, the PNG LNG project has generated tens of thousands of jobs and strengthened the national economy. “We have engaged 155 local businesses including 10 LANCO’s in the production phase and invested K6.8 billion in PNG with those businesses.
“We have collaborated closely with provincial governments, communities and civil society groups to strengthen the schools, improve public health outcomes and empower women, particularly women entrepreneurs. “In addition, we have helped protect threatened species and helped preserve the incredible natural beauty of this amazing country. And in this process, we have helped to deliver more than K27 billion back to the state of Papua New Guinea.
“If I go all the way back to the 25th of May 2014, that was when the first shipment of Papua New Guinea’s LNG set sail on a ship called the Spirit of Hela and it voyage to Japan and PNG entered an esteemed club of LNG exporting nations. “With the benefit of 10 years of hindsight, I think I can confidently say that through the strength of our partnerships we have exceeded all expectations and together we have firmly established Papua New Guinea’s global reputation for excellence in the LNG industry. “This could not have been possible without our highly skilled workforce, including the more than 3700 employers and contractors here in Papua New Guinea.
“We truly believe our workforce is our greatest asset and we are immensely proud that almost 90% of our Papua New Guinean affiliate workforce are in fact PNG nationals, including many Papua New Guinean women in leadership roles. “While we reflect on the project’s historical success, I would of course be remiss if I did not mention that our investments in this country’s LNG industry continues today to offset depletion as was anticipated to occur after 10 years of production.”.
