ExxonMobil resumes liquefied natural gas production in Papua New Guinea
- Production safely restarts ahead of schedule at the PNG LNG plant near Port Moresby
- Production to increase in the coming weeks; LNG cargo deliveries to commence soon
- Company continues to assist with humanitarian relief efforts
ExxonMobil said today that production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has safely resumed at the PNG LNG project in Papua New Guinea following a temporary shutdown of operations after a severe earthquake occurred in the region on Feb. 26. LNG exports are expected to resume soon.
One train is currently operating at the LNG plant near Port Moresby. The plant’s second train is expected to restart as production is increased over time.
During the period that production was shut-in, ExxonMobil was able to complete unrelated maintenance scheduled for later in the year to allow for more efficient operations in the months ahead.
“Resuming LNG production ahead of our projected eight-week timeframe is a significant achievement for ExxonMobil, our joint-venture partners and our customers,” said Neil W. Duffin, president of ExxonMobil Production Company. “We will continue to support those communities impacted by the earthquake as we work toward fully restoring our operations. We hope our contributions and assistance will provide comfort to those in need.”
ExxonMobil is supporting multiple local and international relief agencies involved in the humanitarian response to the earthquake.
In addition to the company’s previously announced $1 million contribution for humanitarian relief, ExxonMobil crews have donated and delivered more than 37 tons of food, 14 tons of drinking water, 600 tarpaulins used as emergency shelters, 1,000 solar lights for households, 20 larger solar lighting units for institutions, as well as other essential supplies including water purification tablets, cooking aids and hygiene kits.
The company is also assisting with the restoration of health care facilities and community food gardens, and is providing resources to help the government address the significant task of restoring roads in the Highlands region.
“While a lot of work remains to be done, we are confident that with the support of all our partners and stakeholders, we can help our friends and neighbors recover from this tragic natural disaster,” said Andrew Barry, managing director of ExxonMobil PNG.
About ExxonMobil in Papua New Guinea
ExxonMobil has had a presence in Papua New Guinea since the 1920s and currently has a workforce of 2,600 in the country, 80 percent of whom are Papua New Guineans. The company operates the PNG LNG project, an integrated development that includes natural gas production and processing facilities, onshore and offshore pipelines, and liquefaction facilities. Production and processing facilities are located in the Southern Highlands, Hela, Western, Gulf and Central provinces of Papua New Guinea. The company also has interests in oil production and fuels marketing.
About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is one of the largest refiners and marketers of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world. For more information, visit www.exxonmobil.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/exxonmobil.
Cautionary Statement: Statements of future events or conditions in this release are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including resumption of operations, could differ materially due to technical or operating factors or other factors cited under the caption “Factors Affecting Future Results” on the Investors page of our website at www.exxonmobil.com.
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Contact: ExxonMobil Media Relations, +1 972-940-6007