The operator of the massive PNG LNG project, Esso Highlands, has confirmed that the liquefied natural gas project is more than 90% complete, on budget, and on schedule to deliver the first gas in the second half of 2014.
Esso Highlands is a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM), and will operate the $19 billion project on behalf of joint venture partners Oil Search (ASX: OSH), NPCP, Santos (ASX: STO), JX Nippon, PNG government- owned Mineral Resources Development Company, and Petromin PNG holdings.
The project is the largest commercial development ever attempted in PNG and employed 19,000 people during the recently completed build phase. The next phase, commissioning, involves powering the LNG plant from a nearby processing facility to allow for testing of the new facilities to start.
Once online, the project will more than double the revenue of Oil Search, and will contribute significantly to the revenue of the other joint venture partners.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has a stake in the joint venture. This has been corrected.
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