Minister for Petroleum Kerenga Kua

He said: “Oil Search as we know, we’ve had our agreements and disagreements with Oil Search Ltd but nobody can deny the fact that Oil Search Ltd has played a huge role during the period that it’s been around.”

Minister Kua added: “We have to give credit, recognize and respect them for the positive things that they have already done.”

He said it is likely that in a merger with Santos, Oil Search Ltd would be lost.

“In a merger with Santos, Oil Search in its current form will be lost and subsumed into another new entity and that will have its consequences.”

Minister Kua said the State also requests that all parties with the requisite authority to close the Pasca A deal must be present in Papua New Guinea by October 15^th 2021.

He said the disparaging statements made against the State are with the view to discourage the name and credibility of the government. Hence with the advise and assistance of the State Solicitor, the State Negotiating Team drafted a Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement to Twinza to sign.