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Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, MP, has called for stronger civil society engagement to ensure the Pacific’s regional architecture delivers stability, good governance and sustainable economic growth. In his intervention statement at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Dialogue with Civil Society on 9 September in Honiara, Solomon Islands — delivered by Fisheries Minister Jelta Wong — Prime Minister Marape emphasised that the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent provides a roadmap for prosperity but depends on effective institutions and inclusive partnerships to succeed. He stressed that the current review of the Pacific’s regional systems is not just an “institutional exercise” but a necessary step to make them resilient, agile and responsive to the region’s economic and social needs. “A strategy is only as effective as the institutions and mechanisms we have to implement it,” Marape stated. For the business community, he highlighted that a stronger regional framework would underpin investor confidence by supporting stability, strengthening governance and promoting sustainable resource management. These conditions, he noted, are important for creating an enabling environment for growth and private-sector participation. Marape placed civil society at the centre of this effort, describing organisations as “the eyes and ears on the ground” that connect high-level policies with community realities. Their role in identifying gaps in governance, resource use and service delivery, he said, is critical to building accountability and efficiency. He urged that civil society must go beyond feedback to become co-creators of the Pacific’s future. Deeper engagement in policy design and project implementation, Marape explained, would ensure development efforts remain culturally sensitive, community-driven and reflective of Pacific aspirations. By working hand in hand with governments, Marape argued, civil society can help transform the Pacific’s regional architecture into a “strong and effective engine for a secure, prosperous and thriving Blue Pacific” — a foundation that businesses, investors and communities alike can rely on.

Great Pacific Gold Corp. (GPAC) has announced a breakthrough at its Wild Dog Project in Papua New Guinea (PNG), reporting what it describes as one of the country’s best gold exploration results in recent years. The highlight came from hole WDG-08, which intercepted 8.4 metres at 49.9 grams per tonne gold equivalent, including 3.8 metres at an exceptional 105 grams per tonne. The results also contained strong copper and silver credits. “Hole WDG-08 has delivered one of the best exploration hits in PNG in recent years, 8.4 metres at nearly 50 grams gold equivalent, including a bonanza zone grading over 300 g/t Au,” said Callum Spink, Vice President Exploration. “These results highlight the exceptional tenor of this epithermal system. The combination of multi-ounce gold with significant copper and silver credits confirms the presence of a robust polymetallic vein structure,” he said. Importantly, Spink said that the semi-massive sulphide textures and associated copper mineralization in this interval demonstrate that the company is drilling directly into the heart of the system. “With mineralization open along strike and at depth, we see clear potential for continuity of these high-grade zones and for scale across the broader 15 km structural corridor,” he said. The company launched its Phase 1 diamond drill programme in May at Sinivit, a 1.5 km target zone within the Wild Dog structural corridor. The campaign has since been expanded to 28 holes totalling 5,000 metres, with nine completed so far and assays pending for WDG-09. “The Sinivit target continues to generate high-grade near-surface mineralized intercepts,” said Greg McCunn, CEO. “With the drilling program at Sinivit expanded to 5,000 meters, we are looking forward to continued drilling success for the balance of 2025 from Phase 1.” Mineralization is open at depth, and North-South along strike over the 15 km corridor. With both high-grade and district-scale, the Wild Dog epithermal target has the potential to host a major gold-copper deposit. In parallel to the continued drilling, company said it is starting to increase field activity on the adjacent Magiabe porphyry in preparation for a potential maiden drilling program in 2026. The company is also advancing projects in PNG’s Eastern Highlands, including Kesar and Arau, located near K92 Mining’s operations. Both have shown encouraging signs of gold and copper mineralisation. McCunn said GPAC’s vision is to become a leading gold-copper developer in PNG by combining near-term high-grade discoveries with district-scale potential.

The Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) has granted Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd (KPHL) a 12-month provisional developer licence to progress the Central Province Industrial Park in the Caution Bay area. SEZA Chairman Dr Lawrence Sause confirmed the board’s decision in a small ceremony on Wednesday, where he formally presented the licence to KPHL managing director Wapu Sonk. “We welcome this milestone for Central Province and commend KPHL for taking the lead,” Dr Sause said, noting that the provisional licence will be converted into a full developer licence once the authority receives the required financial documentation. Sonk said KPHL was committed to operating the industrial park as a dedicated precinct close to the ExxonMobil-operated LNG Plant. “We are currently constructing a training academy and steel fabrication facility in the area, an investment of US$145 million under Phase 1 of the development,” he said. “This will be the foundation for industrial growth in the SEZ.” He added that the Caution Bay site was well positioned for large-scale industry. “The area has all the necessary elements for a successful SEZ – road access, reliable power, proximity to the sea and an international wharf – all suitable for industrial development. The fabrication facility will be completed in 2026 and will provide training and employment for an estimated 3,000 local people.” Dr Sause stressed the importance of ensuring that special economic zones already approved by government are successfully implemented to build investor confidence. “It is vital that SEZs attract both national and international investors,” he said. “By demonstrating their viability, we can show how this strategy will enable Papua New Guinea to leapfrog into value-adding industries that create jobs and unlock the potential of our natural resources.” Sonk said the initiative was aligned with Kumul Petroleum’s broader vision of strengthening national content in major projects. “At Kumul Petroleum, we are planning for the future – preparing for greater participation of qualified Papua New Guineans, as well as developing local steel fabrication capabilities. We can best achieve this in an SEZ,” he said. He also thanked the Marape–Rosso government for supporting KPHL’s role in driving industrial development. “We thank the government for their faith in Kumul Petroleum and their willingness to consider awarding us operatorship of the next SEZ,” Sonk said.

Prime Minister James Marape met with Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Takahara Ichiro to discuss trade relations and investment opportunities between the two countries. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on trade, natural resources, investment opportunities, clean energy and battery technology. Prime Minister Marape proposed a trade relationship between PNG and Japan, where both countries would exchange goods and services with minimal tariffs, leveraging PNG’s abundant natural resources, including minerals and energy. Marape invited Japanese companies to invest in PNG, particularly in downstream processing and manufacturing, highlighting the country’s carbon-negative status and significant capacity for clean energy production, including hydro, solar, and geothermal power. He also encouraged Japanese companies to explore research and development in battery technology, which could be used to store and transport clean energy. A strengthened trade relationship between PNG and Japan could lead to increased investment and trade between the two countries. PNG’s clean energy resources and carbon-negative status make it an attractive location for companies seeking to invest in renewable energy. The discussions on downstream processing highlighted PNG’s natural resources and strategic location, making it an ideal base for value-added processing and manufacturing. However, challenges such as infrastructure development and the need to strengthen the regulatory framework must be addressed to support increased investment and trade. The country’s regulatory framework may require improvements to ensure a stable and predictable business environment. Prime Minister Marape emphasised his government’s commitment to modernising the court system, introducing international arbitration, and establishing an independent and functional national court system to handle any disputes that may arise. “We are restructuring our economy to make sure that the characteristics of a free-market economy remain the bigger and best business in the country,” he said. The Prime Minister expressed enthusiasm for closer cooperation with JOGMEC and welcomed their support in promoting business opportunities in PNG.“I am looking forward to your support as your advocate in the business communities, and I want to give you my full commitment,” he said.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has reiterated that the harvesting and trading of beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) remains strictly prohibited across the region until further notice, despite recent confusion sparked by a national advertisement. In a statement, Kenneth Dovaro, secretary of the ABG Department of Primary Industries and Marine Resources, confirmed that the five-year moratorium on beche-de-mer harvesting is still in effect and has not been lifted. The clarification follows public concern after the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) published a notice in the Post-Courier on 9 July, titled “Call for Beche-de-Mer (BDM) Licence Application”. While the notice called on interested operators and businesses to apply for licences for future open seasons, it did not authorise any harvesting activity at present. “The notice has unfortunately caused some confusion,” said Dovaro. “We wish to make it absolutely clear to all fishermen, women, youths, and coastal communities throughout Bougainville that the fishery remains closed. There should be no harvesting, processing, storing or trading of sea cucumbers at this time.” He reminded the public that under the Fisheries Management Act 1998 and Fisheries Regulation 2000, engaging in any such activities before an official reopening is considered illegal and may attract serious penalties. The Department is now appealing to all community government officials and leaders to help enforce the moratorium and ensure their communities comply with the directive. “We’re relying on our community leaders to take charge and spread the word. This fishery is important to our people, and its sustainability depends on our collective discipline and cooperation,” Mr Dovaro said. Ahead of the proposed open season, a joint awareness campaign will be rolled out by both ABG Fisheries and NFA teams. The sessions will cover licensing procedures, the fishery management plan, and guidelines on species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). For further information, the public is encouraged to visit the Department of Primary Industries & Marine Resources office located on Haku Street, Buka Town.

The Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) has raised its benchmark interest rate to 5.0 percent while easing banking reserve requirements, in a move designed to strengthen the kina, manage inflation, and keep credit flowing across the economy. At its September meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) lifted the Kina Facility Rate (KFR) from 4.0 percent to 5.0 percent, while reducing the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) for commercial banks from 10.0 percent to 9.0 percent. The MPC also widened the margin on the central bank’s repo and reverse repo facilities to 2.0 percent. The bank said the combined measures were intended to reinforce the kina’s role as the anchor for price stability, while addressing uneven liquidity distribution in the financial system. Inflation moderates Headline inflation eased to 3.6 percent in June, down from 5.3 percent in March, with core inflation stable at 3.1 to 3.3 percent. The MPC said the decision to raise the KFR would help curb further inflationary pressure caused by the kina’s gradual depreciation under the crawl-like exchange rate arrangement. The central bank expects inflation to remain contained within the 3.0 to 4.0 percent range over the medium term, although risks remain from global trade tensions, volatile commodity prices, and structural constraints at home. Growth outlook Domestic growth for 2025 is projected at 4.3 percent, driven by mining and agriculture. High output of coffee, cocoa, and palm oil is expected to support foreign exchange inflows, while major resource projects, including Papua LNG, are set to further lift growth in the near term. Treasury officials told the committee that non-resource GDP growth would reach 4.7 percent in 2025, slightly lower than earlier estimates. Business confidence has improved thanks to greater access to foreign exchange, although firms continue to face higher input costs and logistical challenges. Exchange rate stability The MPC reaffirmed its commitment to the kina’s crawl-like arrangement, noting that the currency had depreciated by 3.4 percent against the US dollar and 6.7 percent against the trade-weighted index since March. While this has reduced the kina’s overvaluation, it has also contributed to price pressures. Foreign reserves remain above the International Monetary Fund’s adequacy benchmark, supported by strong export inflows, LNG tax receipts, and reduced central bank interventions. As at June, reserves stood at US$3.35 billion, enough to cover nearly seven months of imports. The committee noted improvements in the foreign exchange market, with interbank trading resuming for the first time since 2013 and outstanding FX orders falling by half to K308 million by August. Transmission challenges The MPC acknowledged that while adjustments to the CRR have effectively influenced liquidity and government bond yields, the KFR has shown limited impact on commercial lending and deposit rates. Strengthening transmission through deeper interbank activity and increased competition in banking remains a priority. To address imbalances, the CRR framework will continue under a monthly averaging system, aimed at improving transparency and implementation. Global and domestic risks The MPC noted that global growth is expected at 3.0 percent this year, supported by stronger demand in advanced and emerging markets. However, geopolitical tensions and uncertainty around US tariffs remain risks, particularly through PNG’s key trading partners in Asia and Australia. Simulation exercises presented to the committee showed PNG is more vulnerable to export volume shocks than to commodity price movements. Domestically, risks to the outlook include weaker commodity prices, natural disasters, and delays to major projects, although upside potential exists if Papua LNG activity accelerates earlier than planned. Policy focus The central bank stressed its focus on maintaining price stability while supporting conditions for growth. The committee said its latest measures were designed to align interest rates with the exchange rate anchor, ease liquidity distribution issues, and strengthen the operational framework for monetary policy. The meeting also finalised and approved the MPC’s charter, underlining its independence in pursuing monetary stability.

Air Niugini has unveiled a special commemorative livery on its first Airbus A220, marking a significant milestone in both the airline’s history and Papua New Guinea’s 50th independence anniversary. The brand-new aircraft, affectionately dubbed the People’s Balus, features a vibrant design incorporating Papua New Guinea’s national flag and the official 50th anniversary logo. The livery serves as a flying tribute to the nation’s rich heritage and bright future, proudly showcasing the colours of Papua New Guinea both domestically and across the region. The intricate painting process was carried out at the Airbus facility in Mirabel, Canada. A dedicated team of 120 painters worked around the clock in three shifts to bring the design to life, using 11 distinct colours and employing special airbrushing and advanced stencil overlay techniques to achieve the complex layering effect. This marks only the second time Airbus has applied such a technique on an A220, setting a new benchmark for aircraft livery design. Air Niugini acting CEO Capt. Samiu Taufa, MBE, said: “This aircraft is more than just a new addition to our fleet. It is our first brand-new, next-generation jet and captures the spirit of our nation and our aspirations for the future. As we celebrate 50 years of independence, the People’s Balus stands as a testament to our journey and our commitment to progress.” The Airbus A220 comes in two variants — the A220-100 (seating 113 passengers) and the larger A220-300 (seating 138). Powered by new-generation Pratt & Whitney GTF engines and featuring advanced aerodynamics, the A220 delivers about 25% lower fuel burn per seat and a 50% smaller noise footprint compared with the older aircraft it will replace. Its cabin offers an exceptional and comfortable in-flight experience, with wider seats, extra-large windows, spacious overhead bins, free Wi-Fi and a quieter, well-lit environment. The aircraft currently carries the Canadian test registration C-FOWU. Once PNG Civil Aviation Safety Authority requirements are completed, the People’s Balus will be registered as P2-PGA, followed by the issue of a PNG certificate of airworthiness, before its delivery flight from Mirabel to Port Moresby. With this aircraft, Air Niugini begins a new era of modernisation, focused on gradually phasing out its Fokker fleet and eventually its Boeing 737s, while improving connectivity and reliability across the country and the region. Air Niugini has ordered 11 A220s as part of its fleet renewal programme. Three will be delivered by the end of this year, with the remaining aircraft arriving over the next three years. The first People’s Balus is scheduled to arrive in Port Moresby in September, perfectly timed to coincide with the nation’s 50th independence anniversary. Air Niugini is inviting all Papua New Guineans to share in this historic moment as the aircraft takes to the skies, embodying the pride and unity of the nation.

 Michael McWalter picks up his prior discussions of petroleum sector reform (Issue No. 3 2024) and describes in more detail exactly what a Production Sharing Contract, or what a PSC, is all about. In my commentary of PNG Business News, Issue 2, 2023 entitled: Petroleum Sector Reform for Papua New Guinea, I wrote about the need to apply better governance to the sector to achieve optimal outcomes for the State. In particular, I spoke of the need for the petroleum revenues arising from petroleum resource development to be deployed wisely for the benefit of the people of PNG on capital formation activities like: education, health, social welfare, infrastructure, etc. – all of which should promote the National economy to grow, and thus improve livelihoods.  This translation of the value of resources with appropriate management into sustainable development is often called the value chain, and each aspect of the chain needs most serious and competent management.   There is little point in mobilising one’s natural resources to make an income for the State, if that money is not put to good purpose, but rather wasted one way or another by folly or malady.  Those resources may only be produced once, and not again; they are finite and have value now at such time as that kind of resource is sought after in global markets. We must remember that there may come a day when oil and gas are no longer consumed with such avid demand as today. This might eventuate as more investments are poured into the development of renewables sources of energy and advancements are made with cleaner nuclear fission and sustainable thermonuclear fusion. Oil and gas might become a quixotic, antiquated and outmoded source of energy, and thus attract considerably less value.  So, if a government is going to foster investment in petroleum exploration and development, it needs to embrace such grave and important responsibility to ensure that the Nation’s petroleum business is conducted most professionally and with total accountability. Government must ensure that the resultant revenues from subsequent production are appropriate, reasonable and respected as being derived from the overall patrimony of the people of the Nation.  This requires investment by the State in professional excellence to manage, moderate, administrate and regulate the sector and its operations firmly and fairly.  The oft cited National Petroleum Authority (NPA), which was first defined in the Government’s 1976 White Paper on Petroleum Policy and Legislation by two of our greatest leaders, Sir Michael Somare and Sir Julius Chan, has been repeatedly conceived, only to be still born. Into that vacuum, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd, PNG’s de facto National Oil Company (NOC) has steadily and bravely taken the lead and embraced National development in the oil and gas sector, and all that it entails. Meantime, the Department of Petroleum and Energy has valiantly tried to keep up with ever increasing core and essential petroleum sector functions, like licensing, operational approvals, and data collection, whilst otherwise becoming absorbed, and perhaps overwhelmed, in the peripheral though, absolutely essential tasks of dealing with project area landowners, their benefit claims and their many other concerns and worries. Plans for a NPA have been formulated in great detail several times over in the last few decades, only to be forsaken, lost, sidestepped, and derailed time and time again. The whole notion of the NPA was to bring together a cadre of PNG excellence to lead the petroleum sector as the guardian of PNG’s petroleum resources. The members of that cadre were to have been well-paid for their experience and important responsibility, and as an Authority of the Government, the NPA might have been able to retain and attract some of PNG’s finest graduates in such exciting and challenging work.   I also discussed the vital need for the commerciality of petroleum developments without which investment by the industry in field development would be withheld.  I discussed how the 2020 amendments to the Oil and Gas Act imposed a test on a proposed petroleum development project that the applicant’s proposals should reflect a minimum expected return to the State over the life of any recovery of petroleum. However, that minimum expected return to the State is not specified in law and is only examined and determined by the Petroleum Advisory Board (PAB), and then considered by the Minister at the time of application for a development licence.  This leaves investors with great uncertainty and unnecessary risk throughout the period of exploration, appraisal, development planning and the application phase of petroleum resource development.  There is thus now no absolute certainty of development if a discovery of commercial extent is made. Either the PAB or the Minister may set a threshold minimum expected return to the State during the consideration of an application for development. This is at a very late stage in the cycle of petroleum resource development investment and comes just before the investing companies have to elect to develop their discovered petroleum accumulation, or not. If a field development is marginally economic, the setting of such a minimum expected return to the State might in some circumstances make corporate consideration of development uncommercial, and as a consequence the field might be left undeveloped. In any normal distribution of petroleum accumulations, there are a few large fields, a fair number of medium size fields and many smaller fields. It would not be wise to disadvantage the development of smaller and often smaller marginally economic fields, which tend to be developed after the larger fields have been found and produced, and which can readily sustain a domestic petroleum industry populated by smaller, and likely, local companies with smaller investments.  Oddly, as I said in 2023, the potential introduction of Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) would obviate such a risky situation because the terms of development are normally locked into a PSC when originally negotiated and agreed between the State and the investing companies as contractors to the State at the outset. Being a contract, any capricious demand by the State for unexpected returns on petroleum development pursuant to a PSC would end up with the contract being the substance of legal proceedings.  I now want to pick up on my themes of a year ago and discuss optimal and necessary arrangements for petroleum development in the light of some creeping petroleum policy change in recent years, and a keen desire by the Government to change the PNG petroleum regime and to adopt the use of PSCs. I particularly wish to demystify PSCs. Figure 2: Much has been written on PSCs. Celebrated analyst, Daniel Johnston, is prominent with his simplified mapping of fiscal and commercial regimes. King & Spalding, an American multinational corporate law firm, has also written a most comprehensive book on the topic, ex libris McWalter.   WHAT ARE PRODUCTION SHARING CONTRACTS?   The notion of a Government sharing the production of oil and gas arising from the development of a successful petroleum exploration campaign by companies as part of a commercial venture was first developed and employed in Bolivia in the 1950s. A Production Sharing Contract (PSC) is an arrangement between a host Government and an international oil and gas company (IOC) for the division and allocation of the oil and gas produced between those two parties under a contract which provides for the exploration for and the development and production of petroleum resources. The allocation of a share of the production to the IOC serves to recompense the IOC for its investment and to provide a reasonable reward for its success. The Government, as owner of the resources, also provides a mechanism called a cost recovery allowance to the contractor for its work, but keeps the rest of the petroleum produced. The PSC was introduced in Indonesia in 1966, and PSCs of this kind or variants of the same are used extensively to agree the arrangements for oil and gas exploration, development, and production with oil and gas companies. PSCs of one kind or another are used in over 40 countries, throughout the world.   The PSC is not the only manner by which a government may grant oil and gas exploration, development and production rights to commercial investors and gain a share in the value of successful petroleum production.  Prior to the development of the PSC, exploration and production of oil and gas was typically governed by way of a licence or a concession agreement, and such regimes still remain in effect in many different places around the world. In many developing nations, the PSC is now the most common means by which a government allows corporate investment in the oil and gas industry. It provides a company or consortium of companies the right to explore and produce oil and gas.  In many jurisdictions, there are political or nationalistic reasons for the adoption of PSCs as they perceptibly provide the Government with greater and more direct control over its resources and the ability to exert National sovereignty over the industry more readily.   After gaining independence in 1945, Indonesian’s concessions regime came under attack by certain nationalist groups leading to the nationalisation of Royal Dutch Shell’s assets. Indonesian Law 44/60 abolished the old concessionary system and specified that: “Oil and gas mining shall only be carried out by the State and implemented by State enterprises,” and further that, “the Minister may appoint other parties as contractors of the State enterprises.” Alas, a decline in foreign investment in Indonesia’s oil and gas sector inevitably ensued. To mitigate this decline, the government eventually negotiated and agreed in 1962 with the Pan American Indonesia Oil Corporation, a subsidiary of Standard Oil of Indiana (later to become Amoco), a new contract based on legislation that was much more favourable to the Government.  The other large foreign petroleum investors, Caltex (a venture of Chevron and Texaco), Shell, and Stanvac (a venture of Socony [Standard Oil of New York] and Vacuum Oil and Standard Oil of New Jersey, later to become Exxon) followed by signing Contracts of Work in September 1963. These early PSCs were widely considered to be less controversial than the previous concessions system, as they enabled the government to maintain formal ownership of the resources until sold, while permitting the IOCs to exploit them for and on behalf of the Government. These contracts provided for the recovery of the costs of the contractor up to an agreed percentage of overall production plus an agreed, but often scaled, share of the produced oil and gas as a reward for its investment. Although often cited as the example of the use of PSCs, in 2017, in a somewhat odd twist, the Indonesian Government established a new form of PSC called the Gross Split PSC. This completely abolished cost recovery systems pioneered in the classic PSCs of the 1960s. Instead, this new arrangement simply relies on an agreed split of the actual production between the Government and the IOCs, typically 43% to the contractor for oil and 48% to the contractor for gas production, with the balance of production going to the Government. Due to a loss of faith in Pertamina (Indonesia’s national oil company) in the late 1990s (an audit had shown that Pertamina had allegedly lost about US$6.1 billion from inefficiency and corruption in 1997 and 1998) the Indonesian Government took steps to rein in control of the industry at the Ministry level, but they had no financial ability to manage the proceeds of the sale of oil and gas which were remitted to the revenue account of the National government.  Without any retained funds, this then entailed the Ministry having to seek parliamentary appropriations to pay the cost recovery allowances to the IOCs, but then the Indonesian Parliament questioned these payments. This brings home the need to think through the implications of changes in regime and the management of any given regime, especially if one is contemplating changing from a licence or concessionary regime to a contractor-based one. What is a PSC? In a PSC, a government makes a contract with an IOC to provide the necessary and requisite financial, technical, management, environmental, social, planning and logistical skills in order to explore for, and hopefully, if successful in finding oil and gas accumulations, to produce the oil and gas. The host State (that throughout most of the world, normally owns the subterranean resources) will usually be represented by the Government or a Government Petroleum Ministry, Department, Authority or quite often some other type of agency of the State, such as its National Oil Company (NOC), which will take delivery of the State’s share of production and generally manage the commercial aspects of the PSC. The IOC is typically granted an exclusive time-limited right to explore for petroleum accumulations, appraise any discovery, plan and execute development and produce oil and gas within a defined area, generally known as the contract area. Under the PSC arrangement, the IOC bears the entire risk of the project, both technical and financial. If a commercial discovery is declared, the IOC becomes entitled to a portion of any subsequent petroleum produced as an effective payment for its efforts, in addition to recouping all its costs from the production. Conversely, if no discoveries are made, the IOC receives nothing. The Government retains ownership of all the oil and gas produced, save for what oil and gas is allocated to the IOC as cost recovery petroleum, or is the subject of sharing between the IOC and the NOC as profit petroleum. This causes the Government to be involved in selling its share of the produced oil and gas.  In some jurisdictions, the IOC is allowed to keep the physical oil for itself, and the IOC makes just cash payments only to the NOC, based on the sale of the NOC’s petroleum entitlements; in others, physical oil and gas allocations are used to reward the IOC. The extent to which the NOC is involved with the exploration, development and production process varies from country to country with some NOCs seeking to take a significant lead in the business other than a just managing the PSC, whilst other NOCs take only a small participating interest in the commercial venture, so as to be within the operating consortium and to learn from it. There are commonly four key financial aspects to a PSC: royalty, cost recovery petroleum, and profit petroleum, though many other relevant matters are agreed in the PSC. Figure 3: Contents of a PSC: A sample from Equatorial Guinea, after the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, 2006    Royalty Most often and foremost, the IOC is typically expected to pay a prescribed or agreed royalty as a percentage of the gross value of oil and gas production to the State as valued at the point of export from the contract area. The royalty is often, at the State’s option, taken as a physical share of production, or alternatively by way of a payment by the IOC equivalent to the sale price of the State’s royalty share of production. Sometimes, the percentage rate of royalty may be the subject of bids for a contract area by competing oil and gas companies when bidding for the same or similar areas.  Royalty is a payment made in kind or related to produced volumes and price without regard to the profitability of the business. Therefore, in times of low petroleum commodity prices it has the effect of digging deep into profitability.  However, for a host Government, royalty is an assured payment regardless of profitability, but proportionate to the value of the produced oil and gas. Cost Recovery Petroleum Following payment of any royalty, the IOC is normally entitled to a pre-determined maximum percentage of gross production from which it may recover all its genuine costs, with any costs not recovered being carried forward to the next accounting year. Such production is known as cost oil and cost gas, and again may be taken in cash or kind. Obviously, the IOC attempts to maximise cost recovery early in the cycle of production up to the agreed maximum percentage limit, so as to recoup its expenses soonest, and likewise the Government will scrutinise the costs submitted to it for recovery as to their genuine eligibility. That scrutiny involves approval of all procurements and sub-contracts of the IOC, and represents an enormous accounting burden for the Government.   Profit Oil The oil and gas remaining after the payment of royalty to the Government and the cost recovery allowance to the IOC by the host Government is known as profit oil and profit gas, and it is generally divided between the IOC and the Government in accordance with the production sharing provisions agreed and defined in the PSC. Quite often the Government’s share of profit oil and profit gas increases as the production rates increase. Income tax Finally, the IOC is quite often required to pay income tax on its share of net benefits which should strictly amount only to profit oil, as cost oil and cost gas represent only a recoupment and recovery of costs. However, the application of income tax varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and in some cases the IOC’s notional income tax due is often paid by the NOC, or the State on behalf of the IOC, such that there is no financial impact on the IOC, there being just a journal entry between different parts of the Government. An income tax superposed on the PSC regime without appropriate tax deductions can rapidly make a fair PSC regime become a very hostile one.  In the calculation of the net take to the State under a PSC, one has to include the results of any Corporate Income Tax and all and any other taxes, levies or imposts that affect the outcome of the overall PSC.  In some PSCs, there is simply no tax, and the royalty, cost oil and gas, and production share are deemed to be final fiscal devices. Figure 4: It must be noted that the production or profit oil split is not the same as the overall net take to each party, after Daniel Johnston in International Petroleum Fiscal Regimes and Production Sharing Contracts      Government Involvement The objectives of the parties when negotiating a PSC and its terms will generally be diametrically opposed.  An IOC will strive to negotiate for itself as much independence and control as possible over operations, and it will want any State intervention in the running of the project to be kept to a minimum. Naturally, it will be keen to keep its costs low, by negotiating the highest cost recovery allowance and the largest production share it can, and it will seek the full recovery of all its costs. The Government will wish to have an overall say in the development of its resources in an orderly and systematic manner that creates synergies for future development. The Government will also wish to make as much money as possible, reduce cost recovery allowances, and have access to an IOC’s resources and relevant expertise, without spending much time and money. The Government may also have economic priorities for domestic petroleum supply to its economy to mitigate energy import requirements and obviate foreign exchange requirements. Throughout the contract from exploration to development to production, the Government will want to ensure that the IOC is undertaking a technically appropriate exploration work programme with appropriate levels of investment and that the exclusive right to access land or the offshore area is being used efficiently. In addition, the Government will typically be concerned to secure as many rights and benefits for the people and local businesses, including affected local communities, as possible.  This is generally accomplished by the optimisation of jobs and training for local workers through requirements to use local goods, services and contractor and subcontractor services as far is feasible and practical – this is what is typically called local content. Figure 5: The main elements of a PSC, after Hassan Harraz, Tanta University, Egypt, 20106   Why the PSC Model? The obvious advantage of the PSC model for a government is the minimal risk on its part throughout the value chain of the enterprise. It is thus able to reap the benefits of its natural resources without having to spend its own time and money even for development. This is not to say that the State does not pay. It inevitably pays for its share of all and any costs of exploration, development and production through the cost recovery process payable to the Contractor. In most cases, the Government will not have the technology needed to explore for and produce oil and gas, and so contracting the help of an IOC that has the appropriate skills, capacities and technology is usually necessary in order for the Government to exploit its natural resources optimally, especially in the offshore areas. The same is, however, also true for licence and concessionary arrangements where even if the host Government has an equity option to take up a participating interest in a petroleum development project it will still pay for at least its pro rata percentage share of sunk and past exploration, appraisal and development planning costs up to the point of the establishment of facilities for development and the commencement of the recovery of the petroleum. As and when exploration proves to be successful, the Government can secure long-term supplies and/or exports of oil and gas in a PSC regime, which it can trade as it sees fit. The long-term nature of a PSC enables the Government to predict future levels of oil and gas for domestic use, export and to make provisions in the national budget accordingly. Alternatively, the PSC model can be most lucrative for the State, if it takes the option of taking its share of production as a cash payment, rather than in kind. It is also very common for PSCs to contain provisions that as the production rate increases, the proportion of the production attributable to the Government may also increase, meaning that a significant and increasing proportion of the value of profit oil is paid to the host Government and its representative entity defined in the PSC. In all cases, at the initial stage of petroleum resource development, the IOC bears substantially all the financial risk. If, and only if, exploration proves successful and the discovered oil and/or gas accumulations are developed and produced, the IOC may be able to recover its costs through cost oil and/or cost gas and an agreed share in the profits of the remaining quantity of oil and gas. As to whether the PSC model is more favourable to the State than to IOCs in contrast to the licence or concessionary system, ultimately depends on the rates used for the various fiscal and commercial parameters in each system. In a concessionary regime, costs are only recovered slowly as depreciation allowances against assessable income. The speed of the recovery of costs depends entirely on the terms set by law and those allowed to be negotiated in the framework of a PSC. It may or may not be possible for an IOC to negotiate the terms of a PSC with more, or less financially and commercially attractive terms for petroleum development than a licence or concession arrangement might otherwise have offered under a prior regime. It is all about the terms of the selected regime, whichever is applied. Figure 6: Some terms of the petroleum regime may still be contained in legislation whilst others will be negotiable depending on the particular regime, after Daniel Johnston in International Petroleum Fiscal Regime and Production Sharing Contracts.     One possible negative aspect of the PSC model is that it is an agreed and contractual arrangement, and not the product of binding and enforceable legislation. Thus, any breach of the PSC by either party will constitute a breach of contract for which civil relief may be obtained.  Pursuant to the PSC model, the State always remains the owner of the resources, with the contract establishing the applicable compensation arrangements and level of NOC or Government involvement in the asset. The negotiation of a PSC is up front before any investment is made in exploration by the IOC, so the terms are locked in.  PSCs tend to afford IOCs less freedom to run an asset, with Contractors being subject to restrictions and required approvals in addition to those contained in the applicable legislation and regulation. Commonly Used Alternatives to the PSC There are several substantial alternatives to the PSC model. The differences in these alternatives are mainly in relation to the level of control granted to the IOC, the level of involvement of the NOC, and the compensatory arrangements for the investment made. Licences Generally, under a licence arrangement, there is normally little scope for an IOC to negotiate specific fiscal or commercial terms in relation to its exploration and production rights. Licensing regimes and their terms and conditions are typically standardised and embedded in legislation, such that the terms of each licence are near identical. This regime is most common in developed countries, e.g. UK, Norway, the Netherlands, and Australia. The terms of licences may change from time to time as the Government seeks to restrain or encourage sector investment.  The IOC is typically granted complete control over the contract area and complete ownership over any oil and gas that it successfully produces. Unlike PSCs, where ownership of the resources always remains with the State, in licence regimes ownership generally passes to the IOC at the wellhead, with the IOC’s profits from the sale of the oil and gas produced being the subject to general tax legislation, or specific petroleum taxation legislation. Like in PSCs, if the IOC fails to find commercially producible oil and gas within the limited terms and periods of their licence, they go home empty handed.  In some jurisdictions, the Government has an entitlement to join in at the development stage when the risks of finding oil or gas have been mitigated and it may either chose to pay its proportionate share of costs of exploration and development and participate alongside the IOCs, or be carried in some form or another. This can be a very profitable feature for the Government, but it essentially takes a slice of the venture away from the IOC venture at the proportionate sunk costs only, without any regard or compensation for the commercial value of any oil and gas discovered by the IOC. Concessions A concession arrangement is generally subject to a greater level of negotiation than a licence. The IOC is typically granted proprietary rights over the contract area and complete ownership over any oil and gas that it successfully produces, subject to the payment of a royalty and income tax, each of which may vary in rate depending on the level of production as negotiated and agreed. There may be specific taxes like the Additional Profits Tax (APT) which progressively applies further amounts of tax, the greater the rate of return of the production project. In some jurisdictions, licences have become more concession-like as the terms and conditions of the licences have increasingly become the subject of Agreements with the Government defining those agreed terms which are supplementary to or adjust the current and applicable legislation as sought by and agreed by both the Government and/or the IOCs. Service Contracts Under a service contract, the IOC provides its technical services to the State to explore and develop oil and gas resources, and therefore in so many ways, it is similar to a PSC. However, remuneration to the IOC is usually by way of a service fee or payments based on the value of oil produced in US$ per barrel for oil and other hydrocarbon liquids, or per million British Thermal Units (BTU) of energy for natural gas. The term of a service contract is often very short, leaving an IOC with considerable risk and no guarantee of a long production period Services contracts are common in Iran, Iraq and Kuwait and have also been used from time to time in Indonesia and the Philippines. The Overall Picture By and large, about half the world’s petroleum prospective Nations use licence/concessional systems and about half use PSC arrangements, though many of each of these are strictly hybrids involving features of one regime and the other. No particular petroleum regime is superior to any other and much depends on the degree to which the host Nation wishes to promote or reduce exploration investment according to the terms applied. Sometimes, the IOC will tolerate a slightly tougher regime, if they know that it will be stable and well-implemented in a professional and organised manner. Good subsurface prospectivity and a consequent high chance of finding accumulations of oil and gas can often be spoilt by self-imposed surface risks. Factors that may induce surface risk are Governments that: successively make petroleum regime changes, politically drive or make unqualified determination of fiscal and commercial terms without regard to the ultimate take to each party in the case of success, and the poor governance of the sector in general leading to untimely and late decision making. Indeed, a good regime whether it be a PSC-type or a licence/concessional one, will depend on the enforcement of its terms and conditions and the values agreed for those terms and conditions that determine economic outcomes.  The great difference between PSCs and other arrangements is that PSCs keep control over the produced oil and gas and its sale and disposal with the State, whereas licences and concessions leave such matters and the fate of the industry more to the will and imperatives of the corporates.  The intrinsic control of a contractor by the NOC under a PSC means the Government has to be better equipped, more efficient and more knowledgeable to operate such a regime than under a licence or concessionary regime. The State or its representative (usually its NOC) needs to make the PSC work in its favour as it is the manager of the entire enterprise and needs to lead the way. Any failure to step up to such challenges will result in a poorly planned development of the industry with delays, unrealised synergies leading to lost production, and overall loss of value from the resources. No matter what regime is applied to the development of petroleum resources, there is no doubt that resolute and appropriate petroleum policy formulation and firm and fair administration of the sector will pay dividends for any host Government willing to invest in such. The definition of a petroleum regime is not a new game; it has been done many times across the world by many Governments and there is very sound collective advice on the subject which is relatively inexpensive to access compared to the enormity of the task and the value of managing a Nation’s petroleum resources optimally. Figure 7: The IMF has some excellent specialists in its Fiscal Affairs Department who advise Governments on resource regimes and it has often commissioned books and studies on such matters as in the excellent handbook on Administering Fiscal Regimes for Resource Industries by Jack Calder, formerly of the Oil Taxation Office of the UK, ex libris McWalter.    

A local project services company is partnering with a leading Australian manufacturer to introduce innovative dome shelter solutions across Papua New Guinea. PNG CR Services Company announced its strategic collaboration with Container Domes Australia, a move that promises to deliver durable, cost-effective infrastructure tailored to the country’s varied environments and sectoral needs. The partnership merges PNG CR’s on-the-ground project delivery expertise with Container Domes Australia’s reputation for quality, innovation, and robust engineering in dome shelter systems. "This partnership is about more than just supplying infrastructure—it’s about providing solutions that meet the needs of Papua New Guinea’s industries and communities," said Allen Tyson, managing director of PNG CR Services Company. "By combining international expertise with local presence, we are ensuring that our clients receive quality products backed by reliable, on-the-ground service," Tyson added. The two companies said the partnership will focus on serving key sectors such as mining, construction, agriculture, and logistics, with plans to expand into areas like rural development, education infrastructure, and disaster relief. Prior to the partnership, Container Domes Australia supplied and installed four 18-metre-wide cyclone-rated domes at Port Moresby Wharf, demonstrating the suitability of their shelters for PNG’s challenging conditions. Paul Whitla, director of Container Domes Australia, said the collaboration aligns with the company’s broader vision of making its products more accessible in emerging markets. "Container Domes Australia is excited to work alongside PNG CR Services to expand our reach into Papua New Guinea," Whitla said. "With PNG CR’s deep market knowledge and service capability, customers can be confident that our domes will not only be delivered to international standards but also supported locally through installation, maintenance, and warranty services," he added. The companies said they are committed to enhancing local capacity by providing training, employment, and ongoing support—an approach that could generate broader economic benefits beyond the construction and industrial sectors. The collaboration is a distribution agreement that grants PNG CR Services exclusive rights to represent and supply Container Domes Australia products throughout Papua New Guinea. The domes will continue to be manufactured in Australia and imported into PNG, ensuring consistent quality and compliance with international engineering standards. Emphasis on long-term presence Central to the partnership is the establishment of a strong local presence to ensure proper installation and reliable after-sales service. According to PNG CR, the dome structures offer a scalable and flexible alternative to conventional buildings, allowing faster and more efficient project delivery—particularly in remote or resource-constrained locations. The premium quality shelters are engineered to withstand some of the harshest conditions, making them ideal for Papua New Guinea’s challenging environments. Manufactured in Australia to meet the country’s highest engineering standards, each structure is cyclone-rated and built with a galvanized RHS steel framework and a heavy-duty polyethylene (P.E.) fabric cover designed for high UV resistance. The shelters come with a 10-year structural warranty and a 20-year UV warranty, offering long-term durability and reliable performance across industrial, remote, and coastal applications. Beyond industrial use, both companies expressed interest in deploying the dome technology for humanitarian and community applications. This includes temporary classrooms, mobile clinics, and emergency shelters—particularly relevant in PNG’s disaster-prone regions. The collaboration, they said, is designed to create "long-term value for clients while contributing to Papua New Guinea’s industrial and community growth." 

Prime Minister James Marape has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to national unity, regional empowerment and inclusive development at the signing of the Port Moresby Papua Accord, a milestone agreement that followed the Papua Governors’ Dialogue. The accord brought together key national and regional leaders from the Southern, or Papuan, region, underscoring what Marape described as the country’s strength in diversity. “Fifty years on, our nation calls for greater unity than division,” Marape said. “Diversity builds and not destroys. Diversity harnesses talents and mobilises resources and human ingenuity for our country to prosper.” He expressed gratitude to Central Governor Rufina Peter, chairlady of the Parliamentary Governors’ Council, and to all Papuan governors for their leadership in advancing regional dialogue. “To all Parliament Governors, to all Members of Parliament from the Papuan region of our country, I thank you for embracing this conversation of progress and unity,” he said. Drawing parallels with the United States, Marape pointed to diversity as a foundation for progress. “The greatest democracy and economy today was built not by language or tribe, but on the principle of human equality embedded in Christian values,” he said. The prime minister also highlighted Papua’s contribution to Papua New Guinea’s independence journey. “Right from day one, the Papuan side has contributed to the country as much as the New Guinea side,” Marape said. “If you count the divide of Papuan territory and New Guinea territory, Papua has had four prime ministers — Bill Skate, Mekere Morauta, Peter O’Neill and myself.” He urged the nation to rise above regional divides, reminding leaders of long-standing ancestral and trade ties across the country. “We were a people before there was a Papua. We were a people before there was a New Guinea. Let us step away from the notion of a Papua–New Guinea divide,” he said. Marape called on provincial governments to fully use the legal powers granted under the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments. “Since 1995, when has one Provincial Government utilised its powers? If it hasn’t happened, where is the problem? Pangu Party borne Provincial Governments after Independence to unite the country, not divide our country,” he said. He committed his government to further decentralisation, pointing to wide-ranging powers under the law for governors and local-level governments in education, health, land, tourism, agriculture and resource management. On development, Marape highlighted more than K1 billion worth of infrastructure and connectivity projects across the Southern region, including road links from Port Moresby to Alotau, Kikori and Kerema, aimed at unlocking tourism, agriculture and trade. He also pointed to fresh export opportunities. “For the first time, Total is doing deep sea exploration at Mailu (Abau district). China has approved our coffee and seafood exports. Abau district in Central Province is now sending crabs directly to Singapore,” he said. Closing his remarks, Marape urged leaders and public servants to turn words into action. “Let us not be talkers — let us be workers. The power lies in our hands. If we unlock these structural impediments together, we can grow the economy and better serve our people,” he said. The prime minister ended with a message of gratitude to the Papuan people: “Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have played your fair share and carried us. Let us continue to work together in unity. God bless.”