2026FIRST CONSULTATIVE MEET HELD BETWEEN MAILU-1 DEVELOPER & CENTRAL PROVINCIAL GOVERMENT
APPROVED FOR RELEASE
In what could mark the beginning of a new era for Central Province and Papua New Guinea's petroleum sector, the country's first ultra-deepwater exploration well is set to be drilled within the next two (2) months offshore between Central and Milne Bay provinces.
Representatives from TotalEnergies unveiled the latest details of the landmark Mailu-1 project during the first consultative workshop with the Central Provincial Government on Wednesday June 3, 2026, describing the venture as one of the most ambitious offshore exploration campaigns ever undertaken in Papua New Guinea.
The meeting, organized by TotalEnergies EP Kundu Limited (Ltd), was aimed at ensuring the Central Provincial Administration, government officials, district administrators, sector managers, local leaders and participants received the latest updates on project objectives, operational timelines, environmental management plans, safety measures and stakeholder engagement strategies, while also providing an opportunity to address questions and concerns raised by stakeholders.
Acting Provincial Administrator Magini Raga said the meeting was aimed at ensuring all relevant government agencies, local leaders and stakeholders are fully informed about the project, which has the potential to significantly influence the future of Papua New Guinea's petroleum sector.
“Today marks and important opportunity for collaboration information sharing between Total Energies EP Kundu Ltd the Central Provincial Administration and our people this project has the potential to contribute significantly to Papua New Guinea’s energy sector, while creating opportunities for economic growth, employment, business participation and infrastructure development within our province.” Mr Raga stated.
The Mailu-1 prospect is located approximately 60 kilometres offshore within the Torres Sub-Basin and straddles the maritime boundaries of Central and Milne Bay provinces. The exploration well will target a large Eocene carbonate structure in water depths exceeding 2,000 metres, making it the deepest offshore drilling operation ever attempted in Papua New Guinea.
The project is being jointly developed by French energy giant TotalEnergies and Malaysian state-owned energy company PETRONAS. In September 2024, PETRONAS acquired a 50 percent interest in the licence from TotalEnergies, creating an equal partnership in the venture.
During the awareness meeting, Deputy Governor for Central Province and President for Aroma Coast Local Level Government (LLG) Desmond Baira conveyed apologies on behalf of Governor for Central Rufina Peter who was unable to be present, called for maintaining strong engagement with the developer and the affected, local-level governments and communities going forward as preparations intensify for the drilling campaign.
"We hope that through these engagements, both the Central Provincial Government and the Amazon Bay Local Level Government will be fully informed so that we can collectively work together to support this ultra-deepwater drilling program, which is a first in Papua New Guinea." Mr. Baira said.
Total Energies Deputy Public Affairs Manager Ian Marru spoke on the Prospecting Licence (PPL) 576 and also briefed on the regulatory framework governing offshore petroleum operations under Papua New Guinea's Oil and Gas Act 1998.
“We (Total Energies and PETRONAS) are governed and operate under the Prospecting Licence (PPL) 576 for the Mailu-1 Exploration Well, remember this drilling is only the exploration stage, once drilling occurs offshore and we do find gas or oil than consultations will continue and this is where social mapping etc takes place, right now for Mailu-1 it’s only the exploration stage.”
Total Energies HSSE Director Claire Viaud gave an overview of the current operations of Total Energies and the preparation for Mailu-1, she described Mailu-1 as a frontier wildcat exploration well, meaning it will test a previously unexplored geological structure in an area of the Gulf of Papua that has seen limited deepwater exploration activity giving an overview of the timeframe of the exploration drilling.
“Exploration drilling will begin in two months time and will continue for 47-50 days from the time drilling commences, a successful discovery could have far-reaching implications for Papua New Guinea's energy future, we have the highest standards for safety whilst drilling and for the environment.” Viaud stated.
For Central province as a whole a commercial hydrocarbon find could establish the province and the country as an emerging deepwater petroleum province and attract significant international investment, drawing comparisons with major offshore discoveries in countries such as Namibia and Guyana over the past decade.
While the project presents exciting possibilities, participants also expressed concerns that drilling in water depths of more than two kilometres carried significant technical challenges, high operational costs, environmental impacts and geological uncertainty, these concerns were eased during the conversations and the Mailu-1 campaign represents a bold step in expanding Papua New Guinea's energy sector into deeper and more technically complex offshore environments.
TotalEnergies has also indicated that similar awareness engagements will be conducted with the Milne Bay Provincial Government and the Suau Local Level Government later this week, reflecting the project's cross-provincial significance and the importance of keeping stakeholders informed.
As Papua New Guinea prepares for the commencement of the Mailu-1 campaign, government officials and industry leaders alike view the project as a potentially transformative exploration effort that could unlock a new chapter in the nation's offshore petroleum history.
Central Province Governor Rufina Peter has been kept informed of the project's developments alongside relevant national authorities, including the National Petroleum Authority, as preparations continue for what could become one of the most significant exploration wells ever drilled in Papua New Guinea.
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PHOTO 1: The red circle from the areial view marks the spot where exploration drilling will take place in the next two months
PHOTO 2: Acting Provincial Administrator for Central Province Magini Raga addressing participants at the workshop
PHOTO 3: Deputy Governor and President for Aroma Coast LLG Desmond Baira expressing his thoughts to participants
PHOTO 4: Total Energies Deputy Public Affairs Manager Ian Marru carrying out awareness on the regulatory framework governing offshore petroleum operations under Papua New Guinea's Oil and Gas Act 1998
PHOTO 5: Total Energies HSSE Director Claire Viaud gave an overview of the current operations of Total Energies and the preparation for Mailu-1
PHOTO 6: First Secretary to Central Governor, George Sikin making a point during discussions
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