“Take back PNG” is a key government slogan
Papuan tactics continue to threaten foreign investment
Singapore-based Twinza Oil’s Papua New Guinea plans remain under threat as seeming favouritism towards state-owned Kumul Petroleum presents another blow to Pasca A ambitions
The Papuan government awarded the offshore Pandora licence to NOC Kumul Petroleum in early September—the fourth granted to the firm in less than five months. Petroleum minister Kerenga Kua said that for Kumul, the award is a “significant step forward in its mandate...and also fulfils the Marape-Basil [PNG’s prime minister and deputy, respectively] government’s greater vision of ‘Take Back PNG’.” Kumul Petroleum’s mandate is “to protect and optimise the value of the country’s petroleum resources...so that the people can benefit”, according to managing director Wapu Sonk. This apparent resource nationalism has already dealt a further blow to Singapore-based IOC Twinza Oil’s stalled plans for a
Also in this section
24 December 2025
As activity in the US Gulf has stagnated at a lower level, the government is taking steps to encourage fresh exploration and bolster field development work
23 December 2025
The new government has brought stability and security to the country, with the door now open to international investment
23 December 2025
A third wave of LNG supply is coming, and with it a likely oversupply of the fuel by 2028
22 December 2025
Weakening climate resolve in the developed world and rapidly growing demand in developing countries means peak oil is still a long way away
