Total E&P PNG has become the operator of the PRL 15 Joint Venture, which is developing the Elk-Antelope gas discovery as the Papua LNG project.
This follows the unanimous vote by all joint venture participants consisting of InterOil, Oil Search and Total at the end of February to appoint the French company as operator of the PRL 15 JV.
An operator transition agreement has been agreed between Total and InterOil, under which the former operator will drill the Antelope 4 sidetrack well, which is expected to commence drilling shortly, on behalf of Total. Total will then operate the Antelope-6 well.
Image: InterOil