The number of foreign nationals will increase asthPNG LNG project nears production.
Esso Highlands told attendees of a Media Workshop in Port Moresby today thatthe reason for this increase is because we do not have technically skilled people.
Esso Highlands said thatthey are committed to training and employing Papua New Guineas wherever possible, both during construction and for the operation of Project but due tothe need for specialized workforce not available in-countrythey have had to source personnel overseas.
Asthe project becomes well establishedthey would like to add more Papua New Guineas tothe workforce. Bethe end of 2012, nationals accounted for forty percent ofthe EHL work population.
The company has put 1.6 million hours in trainingtheir personnel. The training received is at international standards which makes allthese individuals qualiflied to take on roles anywhere inthe world.
Esso Highlands has spent a total of 6.65 billion kina in PNG alone. Forthe project alone inthe last quarter of 2012,the company spent 813 million kina.
The Esso Highlands team also gave an update onthe project duringthe Media workshop. The project is 70% complete. Drilling continues at Whelped-Beatthe Hides Ridge.
Atthe Hides Gas Conditioning Plant,they have completed all camps as well asthe foundation of compressors and power generators. The first layer of asphalt has been laid onthe Komo Airstrip for halfthe length ofthe runway.
As for the Onshore Pipeline, over 215 kilometers ofthe main lines has been welded and testing atthe Kopi Scraper station has been completed.
The touchups ofthe LNG jetty andthe LNG tanks have also been completed.
Eunice Taumomoa, National EMTV News
https://youtube.com/watch?v=KUg5TT6i2lo%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
