FEBRUARY 9, 2012
By David Winning
Royal Dutch Shell is getting serious in its pursuit of a piece of Papua New Guineas oil and gas wealth.
Around six months after signing a strategic alliance with Papua New Guineas state oil company, the Anglo-Dutch oil major is setting up a representative office in the impoverished Southeast Asian nation.
Shells strategic alliance with Petromin, signed Aug. 18, includes a joint study of major basins in Papua New Guinea with the potential to contain big oil and gas deposits. The study is due to be completed this year, and could be a springboard for Petromin and Shell to participate in projects together.