SECOND term North Fly Open MP James Donald made his stand clear that the development of the massive K151 billion P’nyang gas project in his electorate must be done separately if ExxonMobil wants to develop this lucrative, gas project.
Donald made his stand clear after attending ExxonMobil’s 100 years in PNG anniversary celebrations recently in Port Moresby.
He said it is nonnegotiable for the developer (ExxonMobil) to dictate terms but must hear the resource owners call for a separate, standalone LNG project instead of ExxonMobil’s initial plans to use the existing PNG LNG plant infrastructures.
According to ExxonMobil, the P’nyang gas proposed development concept based on preliminary studies conducted is such that the gas and condensate export pipelines will connect to the existing facilities of the foundation project (PNG LNG) at the Kutubu Central Processing Facility (CPF).
Donald does not want his electorate and province to miss out big time in developmental infrastructures, royalties and other spin off benefits when the gas is not piped through Western Province.
“The Deputy President of ExxonMobil Mr Andrew Barry thought I was going to change the course with P’nyang Gas Project however unfortunately I put to him that either ExxonMobil need Pnyang or we don’t need ExxonMobil in P’nyang,” a determined Donald said.
He revealed that the deputy president mentioned that ExxonMobil need P’nyang and if so must comply with the wish of the people to have a separate, standalone P’nyang LNG project so the people reap the maximum benefits of their resource accordingly.
“I told him (Mr Barry Andrew) you either follow what I want for my Western Province people or you lose license because I don’t need ExxonMobil anyway,” expressed Donald.
The MP maintained his stand saying the people don’t need ExxonMobil in Western Province but it was ExxonMobil who need this massive P’nyang gas project to be developed so the decision of the people must be honoured.
Donald wants the P’nyang gas to be piped to Daru and separate offshore processing facilities built at Daru for processing and exporting purposes.
Despite the stalemate of the recent Gas Agreement negotiations, the government is very positive and will ensure a win-win situation with the P’nyang gas deal going forward.
