The Pasca A and P’Nyang developments are now in doubt
Papua New Guinea risks LNG ambitions
The county’s negotiating tactics are damaging its reputation among developers
Papua New Guinea’s clumsy attempts to secure greater returns from LNG projects continue to discourage investors, particularly as the country was already seen as challenging given its difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, frequent civil unrest, high level of corruption and potential for earthquakes. At least one major development—the Total-operated 5.33mn t/yr Papua LNG scheme—remains on track in the resource-rich island nation, while a smaller scheme—Pasca A—has become the latest project thrown into doubt by government negotiation tactics. The Papua LNG partners—comprising France’s Total (40.1pc), ExxonMobil-subsidiary InterOil (36.5pc) and ASX-listed Oil Search (22.8pc)—signed a fis
Also in this section
6 March 2026
The March 2026 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!
6 March 2026
After Europe’s rapid buildout of floating LNG import capacity, Exmar CEO Carl-Antoine Saverys says future growth in floating gas infrastructure will increasingly be driven by developing markets as lower prices, rising energy demand and the need to replace coal unlock new opportunities for unconventional and tailor-made solutions
5 March 2026
Gas is a central pillar of Colombia’s energy system, but declining production poses a significant challenge, and LNG will be increasingly needed as a stopgap. A recent major offshore gas discovery offers hope, but policy improvements are also required, Camilo Morales, secretary general of Naturgas, the Colombian gas association, tells Petroleum Economist
4 March 2026
The continent’s inventories were already depleted before conflict erupted in the Middle East, causing prices to spike ahead of the crucial summer refilling season
