Introduction

PNG LNG is an integrated development that includes gas production and processing facilities in the Southern Highlands and Western Provinces of Papua New Guinea, including liquefaction and storage facilities (located northwest of Port Moresby on the Gulf of Papua) with capacity of 6.6 million tons per year. There are over 700 kilometres (450 miles) of pipelines connecting the facilities.

The investment for the initial phase of the Project, excluding shipping costs, is estimated at US$15 billion. Over the life of the project, it is expected that over nine trillion cubic feet of gas will be produced and sold.

PNG LNG will provide a long-term supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to four major customers in the Asia region including: Chinese Petroleum Corporation, Taiwan; Osaka Gas Company Limited; The Tokyo Electric Power Company Inc.; and Unipec Asia Company Limited, a subsidiary of China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec). The Project will progress in a series of development phases with the first deliveries scheduled to begin in 2014.

Part of the pipeline runs through natural forest and part offshore. Due to the sensitivity of the project and the environmental impact on the land certain restrictions have been put in to place to insure minimum impact to the environment. A corridor of 30 metres is being cut out of the forest which gives enough space to lay the pipe and create an access road for maintenance once the project is finished.

Due to strict environmental guidelines the majority of forest clearance has to be done by hand. Specifically larger trees where directional felling is more important. To minimise the damage to the forest all felled material has to be kept within the 30 metre corridor.

PNG LNG currently have 9,000 people working on this project and have committed to employ and train local people to aid the communities. Due to an initial lack of skilled trainers several serious accidents involving the tree felling teams brought a halt to operations. MGC were brought in as professional trainers to work with the local teams.



MGC’s Role
MGC’s role required Mark Brewer to work in Papua New Guinea on a 10 week consultancy. 70 days of work, 12 hours a day without rest days. 10 days were allowed for travelling to and from site.

The Journey
The journey started on a Wednesday with a 20 hour flight from London to Brisbane stopping at Singapore. Over night stay in Brisbane to sort out visas and then a 3 hour flight the next morning to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Over night stay in Port Moresby for an induction leaving the following morning on a small Twin Otter aeroplane to camp 1. Back in the air a few hours later finally landing at camp 2. Over night stay here before my final flight to camp 3, Gobe Camp where I was to be based.