Santos launches FEED for LNG project offshore Papua New Guinea

(WO) – Santos announced the Papua LNG joint venture has launched fully-integrated front-end engineering and design (FEED) for the Papua LNG project in Papua New Guinea.

Papua LNG is expected to have liquefaction capacity of up to six million tonnes of LNG per annum with first production expected by the end of 2027 or early 2028.

Following pre-FEED studies, the Papua LNG partners have selected a concept using four electric LNG trains (e-trains) with a combined capacity of four million tonnes per annum to be developed within the existing PNG LNG project site. Papua LNG has also secured access to up to two million tonnes of existing liquefaction capacity from PNG LNG.

Integrating the Papua LNG midstream development within PNG LNG maximizes the value of both projects and delivers increased capital efficiency by reducing upfront capital expenditure and maximizing integration synergies.

Selecting e-trains and re-injection of reservoir CO2 will reduce the carbon intensity of the project.

Santos Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Gallagher said Papua LNG FEED entry was consistent with Santos’ strategy to backfill and sustain its core natural gas assets.

The selected concept for Papua LNG is expected to have a lower capital expenditure outcome than the previous concept. Costs will be refined during the FEED phase and the project participants intend to explore project finance opportunities for a portion of the project cost.

“FEED entry for Papua LNG is a significant step for the project and we are working closely with our partners, the PNG government, communities and local companies to deliver new jobs and help support the local economy,” said Gallagher.

Santos holds a 22.8% interest in Papua LNG along with joint venture partners TotalEnergies (40.1% and operator) and ExxonMobil (37.1%). The State of Papua New Guinea may exercise a back-in right for up to a 22.5% interest at the final investment decision, which is planned by the end of 2023 or early 2024. Should the State exercise its full back-in right, Santos’ interest in the project would reduce to 17.7%.

Santos also has a 42.5% interest in PNG LNG and in September 2022 announced a conditional agreement to sell a five% interest in PNG LNG to Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (Kumul) for an asset value of US$1.4 billion. Completion is subject to customary conditions including necessary regulatory approvals and Kumul securing financing.