Papua LNG project

What Papua LNG project does

Papua LNG is an integrated liquefied natural gas development project headquartered in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, currently progressing toward Final Investment Decision (FID). It is operated by TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies SE, in joint venture with three other international partners: ExxonMobil (ExxonMobil PNG Antelope Limited as Delegated Construction Operator; Niugini LNG Operating Company as downstream plant operator), Santos, and Eneos Xplora. The project is a single, unified infrastructure asset — there is no modular product line — designed to access an estimated 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent of gas resources and produce 5.6 Mt/year of LNG for export through the existing PNG LNG plant at Caution Bay, with upstream facilities in Gulf Province connected via offshore pipelines through the Gulf of Papua.

Underlying technology is conventional integrated LNG value-chain engineering: onshore upstream gas extraction in Gulf Province, processing infrastructure at Herd Base along the Purani River, offshore pipelines, and downstream integration with the existing PNG LNG liquefaction and export facilities. There is no proprietary software platform; the project's technical differentiation is environmental — alignment with International Finance Corporation Performance Standards and Equator Principles IV, plus design modifications (removal of the CALM buoy at Caution Bay, optimized shore-crossing routes) intended to reduce impacts on mangrove and coral ecosystems and to target net positive biodiversity contribution. The Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), an Independent Advisory Panel (established November 2022), and a Zero Net Deforestation Program support this positioning.

The revenue model is pre-FID today and is structured for B2B/B2G enterprise offtake once operational: LNG sold under long-term contracts primarily to Asia-Pacific buyers, supplemented by domestic gas supply to PNG's national energy market, with benefit-sharing mechanics flowing to the PNG government and project-area landowners via royalties, equity participation, and development levies under the Oil and Gas Act. No public pricing or revenue figures are disclosed. The current commercial footprint consists of community development spending rather than revenue capture: 2,600 people are engaged (82% Papua New Guinean nationals, 22% women), 260 are employed through landowner company Jerilai Pujari Holdings Limited, and cumulative TVET scholarship spend has reached PGK 1.3 million since 2019 across 460+ students. The project is currently operating in development phase, with environmental permitting substantially advanced as of May 2026 but no commenced production.

Name

Papua LNG project

Legal name

Papua LNG Company Limited

Website

https://papualng.com.pg

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Papua LNG is an integrated LNG development project in Papua New Guinea, operated by TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited with ExxonMobil, Santos, and Eneos Xplora, targeting 5.6 Mt/year of LNG export from Gulf and Central Provinces through the existing PNG LNG plant at Caution Bay.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LNG Production and Export

NAICS

Natural Gas Extraction (21113), Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas (4862), Natural Gas Distribution (221210)

SIC

Natural Gas Transmission (4922), Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382)

akta.pro primary industry

LNG Liquefaction Plants (Onshore & FLNG) (EUALAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

LNG Import/Export Terminals & Storage (Regas, Peak Shaving, Small-Scale LNG) (EUALAEAD), LNG Storage, Terminals & Bunkering (Peak Shaving, Small-Scale LNG) (EUALAFAD), LNG Shipping & Marine Transportation (LNG Carriers, Chartering) (EUALAFAC), LNG EPC, Commissioning & Project Development (Engineering, Construction, Permitting) (EUALAFAI)

Keywords

• Natural gas production
• LNG export operations
• Integrated LNG project
• Gas field development
• Energy infrastructure development

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Moresby

HQ country

Papua New Guinea

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. LNG Export Production: Papua LNG generates revenue through LNG exports with a projected production capacity of 5.6 Mt/year. The project sells liquefied natural gas to global buyers, primarily in Asia-Pacific markets. Revenue streams include equity participation, royalties, and development levies as part of the benefit-sharing framework with Papua New Guinea.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Papua LNG is an integrated energy project that develops natural gas fields in Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea and produces liquefied natural gas (LNG) for export. The project targets a projected LNG export production capacity of 5.6 Mt/year and an estimated 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent of gas resources. It combines upstream gas extraction, processing facilities in Gulf Province, offshore pipelines through the Gulf of Papua, and integration with existing PNG LNG plant facilities for liquefaction and export to Asia-Pacific markets.

Product overview

Papua LNG is a single, unified integrated LNG project spanning from upstream gas field development through liquefaction and export infrastructure. The core product is Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) with 5.6 Mt/year export production capacity. Supporting programs include the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) for sustainability oversight, and workforce development initiatives such as TVET scholarship programs. There is no modular product architecture; Papua LNG represents one integrated energy infrastructure project.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Export Production Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) produced for export markets, with a projected production capacity of 5.6 million tonnes per year and estimated gas resources of 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Targeted at global LNG buyers in Asia-Pacific markets for power generation and industrial use, with reserved domestic gas supply for Papua New Guinea.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5.6 Mt/year LNG export capacity
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA)coreOthers · 1 May 2026CEPA formally handed over amended Upstream Level 3 Environmental Permit EP-L3 (1030) to TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited on May 29, 2026. Permit builds on 2019 EIS and 2024 Addendum with project design improvements.
• Gulf Isou Rugby ClubminorOthers · 1 May 2026Sponsorship of K150,000 in 2026 supporting all four main teams including Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, Under-19 and Under-17 men's teams, and women's team. Supports Gulf Academy programs and community development through sport.
• PNG University of Technology (Unitech)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026MoU signed March 18, 2026 to support four final-year engineering students (2 females, 2 males) from Gulf and Central Provinces to achieve internationally accredited engineering degrees. 2026 support valued at PGK 130,400. Part of workforce development strategy.
• Caritas Technical Secondary School (CTSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026MoU renewal March 18, 2026 supporting 15 female students from Gulf Province. Students pursue TVET National Certificate programs in Hospitality Management, Commercial Cookery, and Office Administration. TotalEnergies has supported 460+ students since 2019.
• Don Bosco Technical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026MoU renewal March 18, 2026 supporting 33 male students from Gulf and Central Province. Students complete year 11, year 12, and ITC2 programs. Part of TVET scholarship program.
• Port Moresby Technical College (POM Tech)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025MoU renewal February 5, 2025 for TVET scholarship program. 82 current scholars (15 female) supported to complete National Certificate 3. Since 2019, 270+ students from Gulf Province have benefited. Package includes boarding, tuition, PPE, transportation, and stipends.
• Gulf Christian Services Agency (Kapuna)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MoU signed January 30, 2025 reaffirming commitment to health partnerships. Kapuna Rural Hospital serves 30,000 people catchment area. Partnership ongoing since 2016 with logistics support, volunteer programs, and WASH initiatives.
• ExxonMobilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExxonMobil PNG Antelope Limited (EMPNGA) is the Delegated Construction Operator, responsible for construction of LNG production and export facilities at existing PNG LNG plant site. NLOC (ExxonMobil affiliate) will operate the integrated LNG Plant. Major international partner in the Papua LNG joint venture.
• SantoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner in the Papua LNG project joint venture. Collaborates on upstream development and LNG production operations.
• Eneos XploracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner in the Papua LNG project joint venture. Participates in upstream development activities.
• National Volunteer Service (NVS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Adult Literacy Program across seven villages in Project Area of Influence. NVS Lead Adult Literacy Trainer has trained 19 community volunteer tutors. 140 adult learners certified to date.
• Jerilai Pujari Holdings LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLandowner company that plays key role in facilitating local employment for Papua LNG. 260 people employed through this arrangement.
• Gulf Provincial Health Authority (GPHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed January 30, 2025 between GPHA and TotalEnergies ensuring continued vital healthcare delivery to communities. GPHA Chairman Augustine Mano and CEO Maluo Magaru present at signing.
• Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA)coreOthersPNG regulatory authority overseeing environmental approvals. Handed over amended Upstream Level 3 Environmental Permit EP-L3 (1030) on May 29, 2026. Key milestones include 2019 Environmental Impact Statement and 2024 Addendum approvals.
• WAN PNG PlatformminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-operated system connecting job seekers with employment opportunities. Project contributes to platform development and use. 20,000+ job seekers registered, 117 employers and 191 job opportunities listed.
• SAGO NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil society organization participating in engagement sessions. Supporting implementation of WASH program in targeted villages in PRL-15 areas.
• Asian Development BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development partner contributing to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training Systems in Papua New Guinea.
• Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and TrademinorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner engaged with Papua LNG on national education initiatives and training programs.
• PNG-Australia Partnership Incentive FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership supporting infrastructure development including Kapuna Rural Hospital upgrades. Contributed to Level 4 Health Facility accreditation.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• INPEX: Operator of Ichthys LNG in Australia, a comparable integrated upstream-to-LNG project with Japanese equity offtake partners. Closest peer on the Japan-buyer-led LNG project structure that Papua LNG also embodies via Eneos Xplora.
• Tangguh LNG: BP-operated LNG project in Indonesia producing ~7.6 Mt/year with similar Asia-Pacific export markets, multi-partner JV structure, and integration of onshore gas fields with offshore liquefaction. Closest regional benchmark on project scale and offtake patterns.
• PNG LNG: The existing PNG LNG project operated by ExxonMobil in the same Gulf Province, with which Papua LNG will integrate via shared liquefaction and export infrastructure at Caution Bay. Closest comparable on geography, customer base, and infrastructure.

Broad incumbents

• Shell: Global LNG major with integrated LNG portfolio including Prelude FLNG, QGC, and LNG Canada; comparable on LNG value chain integration, FLNG/onshore liquefaction technology, and offtake into Asia-Pacific markets.
• Chevron Australia: Operates Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG in Australia and is a major LNG developer with Asia-Pacific offtake. Comparable on integrated upstream-to-liquefaction project design, JV complexity, and ESG framework maturity.
• QatarEnergy: World's largest LNG exporter via North Field Expansion; comparable on LNG liquefaction scale, long-term SPA contracting into Asia, and use of shared infrastructure across trains.
• Woodside Energy: Australian operator of Pluto LNG and developer of Browse and Scarborough LNG projects; comparable in LNG project development, Asia-Pacific offtake focus, and complex JV governance with international partners.

Emerging players

• Venture Global LNG: US LNG developer with Calcasieu Pass, Plaquemines, and CP2 projects; comparable as a fast-build LNG export platform with long-term Asia-Pacific SPA strategy.
• Cheniere Energy: Largest US LNG exporter with Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi; comparable as a rapidly scaled LNG export operator targeting Asia-Pacific and European offtake, but differs on US shale-gas feedstock and regas-oriented model.
• ConocoPhillips: Holds Australia Pacific LNG stake alongside Origin and Sinopec; comparable as a global LNG equity participant with Asia-Pacific offtake exposure and integrated upstream-to-liquefaction positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Papua-LNG-project-61564440988313

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Papua LNG project