Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited has just finalized its acquisition of additional equity in the PNG LNG Project from Santos Limited. KPHL managing director Wapu Sonk explains that under their agreement with Santos. KPHL made a part payment of US$352 million earlier this year, with the balance to be paid by December 2024, and KPHL is happy to announce that they have just completed this share acquisition, well before the end of the year. KPHL’s shareholding in the PNG LNG Project has now increased to 19.2%, including the 4.27% Kroton Equity Option shareholding, held for beneficiaries which are impacted provincial governments and landowner groups. Mr. Sonk highlighted that Kumul Petroleum having an increased shareholding in the PNG LNG Project is clearly of great benefit to the company and the country. “The project will be fully depreciated by end of 2024 and project finance fully repaid by 2026, which means this additional equity is expected to provide high returns immediately and strengthen KPHL’s balance sheet.” “For KPHL, the higher income from the PNG LNG Project means more ability for us to play a greater role in the country’s petroleum and energy sector as well as our ongoing support for nation-building development projects that will improve the lives of all Papua New Guineans.” “This acquisition positions the company to prepare to take up its mandated 22.5% equity in the forthcoming Papua LNG Project, whose FID is expected in late 2025, as well as other activities that the company continues to pursue.”