NEW ZEALAND COMPANY APPLIED FOR OFFSHORE PROSPECTING IN S.I.
Petroleum exploration and production front. Photo credit: www.nef1.org
A New Zealand Company, Duncan Hardie Group has applied to the Solomon Islands Government for a license to conduct offshore oil prospecting in the country.
Prime Minister Honourable Manasseh Sogavare was informed by the Wellington-based company’s agent in Solomon Islands Mr Michael Anita last Friday.
Mr Anita told Prime Minister Sogavare, the company had submitted its application to the government during the former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo’s tenure in office and is still awaiting approval from the Petroleum Board.
He says the group has good standing, with its founder having more than 40 years of experience in the energy industry.
Mr Anita further explains, the beauty about the Duncan Hardie Group is that they are willing to conduct the study under their own expenses.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in response says as the Coordinating Minister, he may need to write a minute to the Minister for Mines and Energy to follow up on the submission by Duncan Hardie Group.
Prime Minister Sogavare adds, seeing that the company has already applied, its good to visit the application to see how far it has gone in reaching the Petroleum Board for a decision.
He says DCC would like to see a competent group come to Solomon Islands to conduct any offshore oil search operation.