French energy giant Total Energies and Malaysia’s Petronas have launched a multi-million dollar oil and gas exploration campaign off the coast of Papua New Guinea in Oceania. The duo is said to be drilling the country’s first ultra-deepwater exploration well in the Gulf of Papua.
TotalEnergies and Petronas had previously revealed a plan to drill a field E-1 An exploration well, the first deepwater well in Papua New Guinea, within Block PL 576 in 2025. However, the well was drilled Later It is expected to be settled in 2026 Use Noble Company Noble Viking Seventh generation drill ship.
The arrival of the Noble Viking drillship has been confirmed and the start of offshore drilling operations in Papua New Guinea James Marapethe country’s Prime Minister, who praised TotalEnergies and its partner Petronas for their continued confidence in the country.
Marape describes the drilling program as a “major” An offshore oil and gas exploration campaign near Kopiano in Central Province, which, in his view, demonstrates that Papua New Guinea remains an attractive destination for global energy investment.
Given that Mailu-1 is considered a frontier wildcat, the commercial discovery has the potential to open new frontiers in deep water. With a maximum drilling depth of 40,000 feet, the Noble Viking drillship, which can accommodate 230 people, can work in water 12,000 feet deep.
Jimmy MaladinaThe Minister of Petroleum represented the national government on board the drillship Viking on June 23, where he joined project partners and stakeholders to mark the start of the exploration programme.
Prime Minister Marape confirmed: “The presence of Viking offshore near Copiano is a strong signal of confidence in Papua New Guinea’s resource potential.
“I commend Total Energy and Petronas for continuing to invest in our country, not only through developing existing projects but also through exploration that can unleash the next generation of oil and gas resources.”
According to Marape, the campaign represents a major investment in the country’s future, with TotalEnergies and Petronas pledging between $100 million and $200 million for offshore exploration activities.
“Exploration is the foundation of our resources sector. Without exploration there can be no new discoveries, no new projects, no new jobs, and no future revenue streams for our people.” The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea added.
“Our resources industry must continue to grow beyond the projects we know today. Companies that invest in exploration invest in Papua New Guinea’s future and help create opportunities for future generations.”
Marape believes that the offshore drilling program highlights the importance of maintaining a stable and competitive investment environment that encourages companies to allocate capital to high-risk exploration activities.
He pointed out: “Deepwater exploration requires significant investment, advanced technology, and confidence in our country’s future. We welcome this commitment and look forward to the results of the program.”
Prime Minister Marape insists that continued exploration is essential to sustain long-term growth in the oil sector, while attention remains focused on key developments, such as Papua LNG and Penyang gas project.
Papua LNG development has been integrated with PNG LNG project Through a downstream agreement, allowing monetization to take place at the Caution Bay site.
TotalEnergies operates several licenses in Papua New Guinea, including PRL-15, which covers the Elk and Antelope discoveries, PPL-576, and PPL-589, while also participating as a partner in PPL-339.
The company is focused on developing the Elk and Antelope gas fields through its Papua LNG project, while building an exploration portfolio in both the foothills and deepwater areas of the country.
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