Papua New Guinea is expected to feature prominently at a high profile oil and gas conference which starts today in Perth, Western Australia. Petroleum and Energy Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu will this morning deliver the keynote address to the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration conference.
Sir Rabbie said last week that he will highlight the importance of PNG's oil and gas sector, and the opportunities it offers to investors at the conference.
He said he will also promote interests for the PNG Gas project to the 1200 delegates who are expected to attend.
''I will be urging the Australian oil and gas industry leaders to consider opportunities for on-shore processing and development of our oil and gas resources, as these are priority areas for our future,'' he said.
The Department of Petroleum and Energy is also expected to have a display booth featuring the different licence areas in the country, especially those in the North New Guinea Basin.
Sir Rabbie said the invitation to play a leading role at the conference reflected the growing importance of the PNG oil and gas sector, both regionally and globally.
Sir Rabbie said he had discussed the PNG Gas project, and investment in the PNG resource sector in general, with major potential customers during the announcement in Brisbane on Wednesday.
''The momentum, which the project enjoys, has to be maintained and built upon in the crucial period ahead,'' Sir Rabbie said.
PUBLIC Service Minister Peter Peipul has joined the parties congratulating Oil Search and Exxon's deal to integrate reserves from the Hides Field to the PNG Gas project.
Mr Peipul, who, while in Opposition, was critical of the project at various times, said the $US2.5 billion project is a significant development for PNG.
He said the ''least developed provinces'' of Southern Highlands and Gulf stand to derive greater benefits from the project through participation in business spin-offs, royalties and the tax credit scheme.
From PostCourier, Monday April 19
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