Terrain means explorers need reserves of patience and cash

ACCESSING work programme commitments for exploration activities in Papua New Guinea is a difficult task, but dominant local company Oil Search regularly provides updates on its exploration drilling plans, writes Russell Searancke.

Oil Search’s drilling plans are generally a good guide to what ExxonMobil and Total are also doing because Oil Search partners the 'big two' in many ventures.

Looking at Oil Search’s indicative exploration schedule over the next 12 months, there is a blend of wells planned across the company’s three focus areas — the Highlands, the Gulf Province/Forelands area, and the offshore plays.