ExxonMobil could restart PNG LNG ahead of schedule

US energy giant ExxonMobil is targeting the restart of its Papua New Guinea LNG export project in early May, following a shutdown at the end of February. 

Speaking to Reuters, Exxon LNG vice president Emma Cochrane said the early May start would come ahead of schedule, with the facility to reach full capacity production gradually.

To remind, the facility was initially shut down after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake shook the Papua New Guinea Highlands at the end of February.

Following the initial damage assessment, ExxonMobil said in March it will take up to eight weeks to repair and restore production at the plant.

The company has also recently purchased an LNG cargo from BP’s Bontang LNG facility in Indonesia to keep the liquefied natural gas storage tanks at the plant operational and ready for production restart.

The cargo delivered onboard the 172,000-cbm PNG LNG dedicated carrier Kumul was seen as the first step towards restoring production.

According to the marine data provider, VesselsValue, Kumul, together with its sister ship, Papua, is currently sitting at anchor just off the PNG LNG plant’s site.

LNG World News Staff