Project overview
Papua LNG is a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) development led by TotalEnergies, supporting Papua New Guinea’s ambition to responsibly develop its gas resources. With estimated resources exceeding 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent, the Project is designed to deliver approximately 5.6 million tons of LNG per year, contributing to long-term national development and regional energy supply.
The Project is a fully integrated LNG development structured around three interconnected components: upstream, midstream and downstream facilities. Together, they form a continuous value chain from gas production in the Gulf Province to liquefaction and export near Port Moresby.
Annual LNG production capacity
* million tonnes per annum
Total liquefaction capacity (including 2 Mtpa tolling from existing PNG LNG trains)
* million tonnes per annum
New electrified (eLNG) trains at Caution Bay
Within Papua LNG, TEP PNG (a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies) oversees the construction and operation for the Upstream and Midstream Facilities, while ExxonMobil PNG Antelope (a wholly owned subsidiary of ExxonMobil) will construct and tie in the Downstream LNG facilities to the existing facilities owned or utilized by the PNG LNG infrastructure.
In addition to newly constructed facilities, Papua LNG will utilise existing infrastructure and LNG liquefaction trains at the Downstream Project Site including shared use of a new floating storage and offloading vessel (FSO) moored in the Gulf of Papua, optimising overall Downstream operations.
per year avoided through native CO2 reinjection
Total pipeline network (including ~60 km onshore)
Total wells (9 production, 1 water injection, 1 CO2 reinjection)
Upstream facilities focus on the development of the Elk and Antelope gas and condensate fields, located around 360 km northwest of Port Moresby. This includes the drilling of production wells, as well as water and acid gas reinjection systems designed to optimize reservoir performance while reducing emissions. The fields contain an estimated 5.8 to 6.5 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas, with Antelope accounting for the majority of reserves.
Midstream facilities are centered around a central processing facility, where raw gas and condensate are treated to meet export specifications. From there, a network of pipelines, spanning approximately 320 km, transports gas to the liquefaction plant and condensate to offshore storage. These systems are designed to ensure efficient, safe and reliable transport across challenging terrain.
Herd Base on the Purari River, a central hub supporting early works and enabling safe, efficient access to remote project areas
Situated on the Purari River, the base is essential for mobilizing equipment and personnel for the upstream processing plant and pipelines, which will transport gas 320 km to the liquefaction plant at Caution Bay.
The site is a staging ground and base of operations, enabling the development of the Papua LNG project.
Several specialist teams and organizational groups are active at the Herd Base and across the broader Papua LNG project area.
The base serves as the central point for mobilizing personnel, equipment, and materials required for the upstream development of the Elk and Antelope gas fields.
Downstream facilities are located at Caution Bay, adjacent to the existing PNG LNG plant. The Project includes three new electrified LNG trains with a total capacity of 4 Mtpa, complemented by access to an additional 2 Mtpa of existing liquefaction capacity. This integration enables operational synergies and reduces both cost and environmental footprint through the shared use of infrastructure and utilities.
Papua LNG has been designed with emissions reduction at its core. The Project incorporates electric liquefaction technology and a native CO2 reinjection system operational from day one, enabling approximately 1 million tons of CO2 emissions to be avoided annually. These design choices contribute to lowering the overall carbon intensity of LNG production.
The Project is developed in partnership with leading global energy companies, including ExxonMobil, Santos Limited and ENEOS Xplora Inc., alongside national stakeholders such as Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited and Mineral Resources Development Company. At Final Investment Decision, the State of Papua New Guinea is expected to hold a 22.5% indirect interest, ensuring strong national participation.
Construction and operations draw on the combined expertise of the Project partners, leveraging experience from existing LNG developments in Papua New Guinea. By integrating new infrastructure with established facilities, Papua LNG is designed to deliver a reliable, efficient and lower-emission energy solution, while creating lasting value for the country and its communities.
Environmental stewardship, biodiversity protection and social responsibility are central to Papua LNG’s vision and long-term success. The Project is designed not only to deliver energy, but to do so in a way that respects ecosystems, supports communities and creates lasting value for Papua New Guinea. This commitment shapes how Papua LNG is developed, operated and ultimately remembered by its partners, its stakeholders and the generations to come.
