While the plant would be on the north coast, the gas would be sourced from the Southern Highlands.

Southern Highlands Governor Hami Yawari was reported to have received expressions of interest from the company at the Asia Oil and Gas conference held in Malaysia recently, according to the Post-Courier newspaper.

Sumatec executives are expected to be in PNG in two weeks to meet with the stakeholders involved. Yawari reportedly said he would ensure landowners would be involved in any possible development as equity partners.

Sumatec joins a number of other Asia-based companies looking at building an LNG plant in Wewak, with several Chinese players also said to be looking at developing such a facility.