The US giant has previously hinted that it would evaluate with joint venture partners and the government the processing of Elk-Antelope gas by expanding its PNG LNG project.

In a conference call for its latest financial results, the company’s vice president for investor relations Jeffrey Woodbury said: “When the deal is closed, it’s a matter of discussion amongst the co-ventures and the government parties to agree what the best value proposition is for how we develop that (Elk-Antelope gas).