Total E&P (PNG) Limited says it is actively carrying out social mapping and landowner Identification (SMLI) in the impacted areas of the proposed Papua LNG Project.
Total managing director, Philippe Blanchard, said the SMLI was being actively done by its staff as it finalises discussions with joint venture partners.
Blanchard said since the beginning of March, teams have been conducting the SMLI from PRL 15 to Orokolo Bay.
They have adopted a two-step approach to conduct a full scale approach which began from PRL 15, the project area, to Orokolo Bay.
He said the company is taking every step to limit the potential risks and ensure the affected community is fully aware.
Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing with project partners on alignment on development concepts.
Subject to approval, discussions are expected to commence with the government on the project gas agreement leading up to a decision on Front End Engineering Design later this year.
“Given the fact that it’s going to be one joint venture, PRL 15, locating the liquefaction plant within an existing plant, operated by another joint venture and potentially additional development, we have to be sure that more or less all the four parties involved, the three joint ventures and the state, are all happy with the scheme that we are developing.
“So we are also engaging very quickly in the months to come with the state on progressing all the contractual agreements that we need to be able to progress with FEED as soon as possible,” said Blanchard.
Blanchard also touched on the recent earthquake and said while they were not affected by the disaster, they were ready to assist in relief efforts where necessary.