Landowners in the PNG LNG project of Hela province expressing their dissatisfaction to a government delegation this week in Hides. Video: EMTV News
By Peter S. Kinjap in Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea’s LNG petition for Hides PDL1 landowners has been reviewed in a weekend meeting chaired by Mineral Resources Development Company managing director Augustine Mano in Port Moresby.
But there was no positive outcome through this meeting on Saturday and talks will resume tomorrow.
Those present at the meeting were A/Secretary Department Petroleum and Energy David Manau, Community Affairs Manager of Kumul Petroleum Ian Maru and other officials.
Since 2014, the usual maximum LNG flow rate from PNG LNG Marine Terminal in Port Moresby to ships has been reduced from 12,000 cubic meters/h to 6000 m3/h on Friday when loading for the 221st shipment took place.
When asked about this reduction by half of gas exports, the marine supervisors at the terminal said this was because landowners at Hides had closed valves.
Company officials did not comment about this.
Although the company is suffering greatly, say sources, it plans to shift this cut to stakeholders, including the PNG government and landowners.
‘Good response’
It was not reported in mainstream media that valves had been closed, but landowner sources confirmed that Hides PDL1-7 valves had been shutdown until a “good response” was given.
In the meeting, no new items were discussed, just the same issues as discussed in Hides earlier this week with the government delegation led by senior ministers.
In Hides yesterday, a state team visited again in an attempt to reopen the valves while negotiations were taking place in Port Moresby but failed.
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