It is not all virgin territory, although even those areas where wells have been drilled are relatively under-explored.
Areas available include A to D, all onshore, with Area A including the capital Port Moresby.
The south-east of Area A is believed to offer the most potential, according to Stanley Pono, a consultant to Fugro.
Acreage where drilling has taken place include Area K, where the Borabi-1 well was located, and N, where the Kusa-1 wildcat failed due to lack of top seal and possible closure, he says.
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