PNG Energy Minister Moi Avei is reported to have said recently that the government was looking to sell some of its assets, with specific mentions of oil.
The reports add extra tension to Oil Search and its partners, who are racing a deadline of next month to sign up the required foundation customers to kickstart its planned $6.8 billion PNG to Queensland gas pipeline.
Oil Search has slipped from the mid 80 cent mark at the end of August to close at 65 cents today.