It was a significant milestone for the Department of Petroleum and Energy after its completion of the National Ministerial Determination for the Papua LNG Project that was successfully gazetted and published on the 6th of December by the Government Print Office. But complications come in different forms and the parliamentary leaders of the Gulf province, who have openly objected the Determination. The National Ministerial Determination No. G967, No.G968 and No. G969 for the Papua LNG Project was announced officially by the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Kerenga Kua recently but this has not gone down well with Gulf’s top echelon. The department believes the determination came to a successful completion after a lengthy landowner identification process identified by the Department of Petroleum and Energy, Total E& P PNG Limited, Gulf Provincial Government, and the Central Provincial Government within its communities by identifying clan-owning groups within the Papua LNG Project. According to the report, so far 277 clans have been identified 191 clans for Gulf Province and 86 clans for Central Province under the Papua LNG Project Applications. Meanwhile, leaders from the Gulf Province have banded together to refute the Ministries announcement, condemning the Papua LNG Landowner benefit sharing ministerial Determination and demanding a fair process. According to a combined media statement released by the Gulf leaders, a number of concerns were raised regarding the process of the determination. This includes concerns regarding the social mapping & landowner identification (SMLIS) Process, lack of consultation and disrespect for leadership. They have called for an immediate extension of objection period to 60 days to allow for proper review and ensure all affected parties have a fair opportunity to participate.