24 Jun 2005

PNG Petroleum Minister to talk to prospective Australian gas customers

10:31 am on 24 June 2005

Papua New Guinea government ministers will tour Australia next week to reassure prospective customers of the multi billion US dollar gas pipeline project.

PNG Petroleum Minister Moi Avei says the project to pump gas from PNG's Southern Highlands to central Queensland had gone into high gear with some people trying to discredit it.

Australian Coal-Seam Methane or CSM producers have recently spoken out against the project saying there is insufficient demand in Australia for PNG gas.

Project investors and the PNG government still have challenges ahead, including formalising agreements with landowners.

Participants in the PNG Gas Project to Australia include Oil Search, Japan Petroleum and Exxon Mobil through its subsidiary Esso Highlands Ltd.