Kumul Petroleum hired Houston-based LNG engineer KBR to provide conceptual development and feasibility analysis services for an energy hub in Papua New Guinea that would include a mid-scale LNG plant.
The energy hub, to be known as the Kikori Energy Hub (KEH), in the Kikori region of the Gulf Province, is an extension of the Western pipeline project scope currently being undertaken by Kumul Petroleum, the company said in a statement.
Commenting on the deal, Kumul’s managing director Wapu Sonk , said that the company is “focusing on the downstream commercialization options available to produce an economically sound project.”
“The extension of the Western Pipeline Project scope to now include a stand-alone downstream LNG process development, combined referred to as the Kumul LNG Project, is a natural progression,” Sonk said.
Project director for the Kumul LNG project, Jason Pollock , said, “the scope of the concept feasibility study currently being undertaken to evaluate the potential KEH economics will include a mid-scale LNG liquefaction and regional export facility.”
The project would help future gas-fueled electrification of remote areas and would include a 180 MW power plant, a methanol process facility and a condensate stabilisation, storage and regional export facility.
KBR’s scope of work for the LNG facility includes location and technology screening studies in order to identify the most economically feasible concept, inclusive of a floating LNG plant, a gravity-based structured LNG facility and an onshore LNG plant.
The concept study is scheduled to be completed later this year, Kumul said.