The Papua New Guinea government is expected to decide on the future of the 3.5 billion US dollar PNG to Queensland Gas pipeline project by the end of the month.
The Minister of Petroleum and Gas, Sir Moi Avei, says an assessment will be made about its viability after the PNG Gas consortium lost a bid to supply gas to the Alcan refinery in Australia's Northern Territory.
Sir Moi says despite the setback, he is still optimistic about the future of the gas pipeline project.
"The project needed our camp to get it across the line that it will have enough foundation in volumes for the consortium that by action Mobile. But when you look at the rate, where will Australia get its gas from in the immediate term. This is why we are quietly confident in due course, we'll have a commercial gas project."
Sir Moi Avei.
