SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil Search <OSH.AX> is looking to build small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants in Papua New Guinea as the explorer ramps up an onshore and offshore well drilling program over the next three years, an executive said on Wednesday.
Ian Munro, executive general manager of gas and marketing, outlined plans to develop several smaller 0.5-1.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) production units, or trains, in Papua New Guinea.
Oil Search is partnered with oil major Exxon Mobil in the country's existing 6.9 mtpa LNG plant amid plans to expand capacity to around 16 mtpa.
"We are looking beyond the next 3 trains of 8 mtpa," Munro said.
"We have a drilling program beyond that and we have a number of high profile wells we'll drill on and offshore over the next 3 years," he said.
"We're excited about smaller scale LNG opportunities and looking to grow beyond the big projects to provide a deeper portfolio to Asia," Munro said.
(Reporting by Oleg Vukmanovic; editing by Richard Pullin)
