Executive managers from Kumul Petroleum Holdings have been on-site this month, inspecting two key construction sites.
Under construction are the Motukea fuel facility, adjacent to the Motukea international wharf, and a new training and steel fabrication facility in the Caution Bay area, close to Kumul’s LNG plant site.
Kumul managing director Wapu Sonk said the two projects formed vital infrastructure that, once completed, would assist with the long-term provision of essential services and increased “national content”, or local contributions to the economy.
“These strategic construction projects demonstrate Kumul Petroleum’s commitment to national development,” he said.
“The training and fabrication facility fulfils all the necessary elements for increased national content – workforce development through enhanced training; and supplier development through new local manufacturing capability.”
The fabrication facility will produce up to 20,000 tonnes of steel components a year, and will support the development of significant gas fields and mining projects planned in PNG over the next few years. A range of steel-based structural, mechanical and piping modules, tanks and other fabrication will likely be required.
The Motukea fuel facility is a long-term initiative that will ensure greater confidence in fuel supplies nationally.
“It is a continuation of Kumul Petroleum’s commitment to the government when it stepped up to facilitate fuel imports and address the fuel supply crisis in early 2024,” Sonk said.
The Motukea facility consists of four 3000-cubic-metre Jet A1 fuel tanks, associated ship offloading and truck loading equipment, and safety and environmental control facilities. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year, and operational in early 2026.
Subscribe to PNG Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.
