The Papua New Guinea Chamber of Resources & Energy (PNG CORE) successfully hosted a media briefing on Benefit Sharing Agreements in collaboration with ABC International Development - Media Development Initiative, PNG (ABC-MDI) on Friday, March 7, 2025, in Port Moresby.
This media briefing provided valuable insights on Benefit Sharing Agreements (BSAs) in the petroleum and energy development projects to more than 15 participants both in person and online.
Key Topics Covered:
- Benefit Sharing Agreements or Development Agreements are a culmination of consultations between the National Government, Provincial Government, Local Level Government and Landowners.
- What is a Benefit Sharing Agreement (BSA) and what are the Oil and Gas Act 1998 requirements?
- At what stage of project development does a BSA come in?
- Examples of current BSAs, such as the Umbrella Benefit Sharing Agreement related to the PNG LNG project.
- Challenges faced with reaching an agreed distribution of benefits from the extractive industries in PNG.
PNG CORE’s Petroleum Industry Working Group Chair Mr. Sam Koyama led this briefing. With over 27 years of experience in the petroleum sector in Papua New Guinea, Mr. Koyama provided a comprehensive overview of the processes involved in a resource project development, from exploration to development and to production and with specific focus on the role of BSAs.
Additionally, the briefing explained the difference between BSAs and Development Agreements, as outlined in the Oil & Gas Act. Mr. Koyama clarified the terminologies used, explained the process and spent time delving into the discussion around the broader intention and scope of Development Forums, which included various aspects of resource development awareness beyond just the stitching together of a benefits package for a Project.
The media plays a crucial role in the development of Papua New Guinea, and PNG CORE is committed to supporting this through informative and engaging briefings. This initiative aligns with PNG CORE’s strategic direction on Communication and Stakeholder Engagements, highlighting the importance of industry collaboration for nation-building.
"At PNG CORE, we recognise that a well-informed media is crucial to fostering transparency and accountability within the industry," said PNG CORE Chief Operating Officer Mrs. Pansy Taueni-Sialis.
"Collaboration and knowledge sharing are at the heart of our mission, which is why we deeply value initiatives like the ABC-led Media Development Initiative. These efforts play an important role in equipping journalists with the insights they need to report accurately and effectively on critical topics such as Benefit Sharing Agreements.”
“This year, PNG CORE is committed to strengthening its engagement with the PNG media. We acknowledge the challenges facing mainstream media in covering industry-related issues, and we are actively developing internal programs to bridge these gaps."
This engagement follows up on PNG CORE’s 2024 briefing to the media on development processes for mining and energy projects in PNG.
