Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea’s National Oil and Gas Company, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) has appointed Richard Robinson to head its new Energy Business Subsidiary.

Mr Robinson will be heading Kumul Energy Company (which is a 100% Subsidiary of KPHL). In his capacity as Head of Kumul Energy he will be seconded as CEO to the Oil search and KPHL 50/50 joint-venture NiuPower Limited, which will own and build the Port Moresby Power Station.

“I welcome back Richard Robinson to KPHL after an absence of 2½ years,” said Wapu Sonk, Managing Director of KPHL who is also on the board of the subsidiary Kumul Energy.

Mr Sonk added; “Richard was here part‑time during 2013 and 2014 and led our efforts at that time to develop gas-fired power generation in Port Moresby. With approval to proceed and Government mandate provided through NEC for the development of the Gas Fired 58MW Power Plant outside of Port Moresby, near the PNGLNG Project Plant site we are rapidly moving ahead on this project. The Power Station is currently being developed on a 50/50 basis with Oil Search Limited. Richard has re-joined us to lead our new energy venture and his primary focus will be to construct and deliver the Power Project before APEC 2018.”

He outlined that Mr Robinson will focus on the set up and development of the new business venture whilst maintaining a close overview of the initial Port Moresby gas-fired power station project development.

“This is a very exciting time for KPHL as we continue to develop as the key energy partner of the people of PNG. We are very pleased to have Richard, with his 30 years of experience in the PNG energy industry, back in the team. Richard recently stood down from the position of Chairman of Kina Petroleum Limited, an ASX/POMSOX listed explorer in Papua New Guinea.