ExxonMobil Corp. (XOM) said Friday it has started marketing gas from its planned liquified natural gas project in Papua New Guinea to potential buyers.
"Discussions with buyers began this month," Jeff Appleton, the group's vice president for PNG marketing, told the South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference in Darwin.
ExxonMobil is marketing the gas on behalf of project partners, which include Oil Search Ltd. (OSH.AU).
Oil Search Executive General Manager Phil Bainbridge told the conference that the project is on track for a final investment decision in late 2009, with first LNG shipment planned for late 2013, or early 2014.