MCJV wins PNG's Komo Airfield contract

MCJV, a joint venture between McConnell Dowell and Consolidated Contractors, has won a contract to construct the new Komo Airfield in Papua New Guinea (PNG). No contract price was given.

Komo, which is located about 10 km south east of the Hydes Gas Conditioning Plant (HGCP) and the country's as yet undeveloped Juha, has been selected as the site for the project airport as it supports the PNG LNG project (Papua New Guinea liquefied natural gas).

The works, which are due to begin in December 2009, will include the construction of Komo Airfield to accommodate Dash 8 operations and limited Antonov AN 124 operations and the upgrade or construction of roads and bridges along two main logistics routes.

Work is scheduled to begin in December 2009 and will last 24 months.

The PNG LNG aims to develop gas and liquid hydrocarbon resources located in the southern highlands of the country. It is sponsored by a joint venture consisting of Esso Highlands Limited, Oil Search Limited (OSL), Santos, Nippon Oil, Mineral Resource Development Company (MRDC) and Eda Oil.

The PNG LNG covers three large gas discoveries - the Hides, Angore and Juha gas fields - thought to have reserves approaching three to four trillion cubic feet. The three fields will supply gas for the Asian market via a pipeline to be constructed at Napa Napa near Port Moresby.

It is believed that there could be a further two trillion cubic feet of gas or 400 million barrels of oil equivalent waiting to be discovered in PNG.

LNG cargoes will start in 2013-2014 and the PNG LNG project will have a lifespan of about 30 years.