PNG wants Total to develop "disputed" gas field

[Palm]

Relker:   Are you a lawyer?  You are giving a legal opinion which I believe is wrong.

IPI has rights created by contracts.  These are private rights.  The government of PNG cannot alter the terms of private contracts no more than the the U.S. government could.

I am not commenting on what those rights are.  Just that the PNG government cannot take them away.

... no more than the the U.S.goverment could.

Perhaps you should follow Exxon's current situation in the Russian deep water Arctic oil exploration project.  XOM has been told by the U.S. Justice Dept that their is no "sanctities" in their contract and their participation with the Russians will cease.

The equation of sorts is the Soverign National Interests of the people (government) of PNG.

Peter (OSH) is in a somewhat polite manner is being told that the Govenment of PNG considers the entry of Total as a operator of a LNG Project is in the PNG National Interest.

" border="0" class="smilie" src="images/smilies/cool.gif" />

Agree Tusked One.  Legally OSH may have the upper hand with the Dispute (which CS seems to feel is the case), but Big Brother is now speaking up and in essense is saying, "This project needs to get moving along quickly.  It's in the interest of PNG and its people overall that Total be welcomed as an investor in this country and that the Dispute is settled in a way which adds a new LNG project.  OSH and Exxon you keep saying you have gas to expand, so focus on that development and if later on the Total/IOC/OSH Antelope project is built out and more gas is proven up in IOC's license areas, and you still ned gas to expand, then we can talk.  Let's get moving on the Antelope project NOW."