PNG PM O’Neill welcomes TOTAL’s new executive

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has welcomed the new TOTAL exploration and production senior vice-president for Asia Pacific, Javier Rielo, who is visiting Papua New Guinea this week.

Following a meeting yesterday, Prime Minister O’Neill said he looked forward to Rielo advancing the Papua LNG project led by TOTAL.

“The Papua LNG project is the next major resources project for our nation and will deliver around 13,000 Papua New Guinean jobs in the construction phase alone,” the Prime Minister said.

“This will be around 10,000 working in production areas close to Port Moresby and 3,000 working in on-site areas.

“We thank TOTAL for its ongoing confidence through its investment in Papua New Guinea.

“As energy prices are on an upward trajectory, and with longer term outlooks for the energy sector firming, it is clear that TOTAL’s unwavering confidence in the project is a sound investment.”

PM O’Neill thanked outgoing senior vice-president, Oliver de Langavant, and said the Government appreciates the support for the Papua LNG project from all levels of TOTAL.

“From TOTAL CEO and chairman, Patrick Pouyanné, to the TOTAL Papua New Guinea team led by Philippe Blanchard, we have ongoing cooperation and support.

“In the coming years, we will see more families moving from France, who will be living and participating in communities in Papua New Guinea, and we look forward to working with them.

“As part of its investment, TOTAL is not only investing in skills and training, but is undertaking in social development projects that will help many people in our communities.

“I also thank Mr. de Langavant for his support to resource development in Papua New Guinea and wish him well in his upcoming retirement.”

Rielo was appointed senior vice-president Asia Pacific for Total Exploration and Production on 1 January 2017.

After joining Total in 1998, he has worked in Australia, Argentina and Africa. He was born in Spain, and a graduate of Buenos Aires Argentina Economy University.

(New TOTAL exploration and production senior vice-president for Asia Pacific, Javier Rielo)