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InterOil said the new licenses are PPL 236, PPL 237, PPL 238 and supersede previous prospecting licences 210, 220 and 230.
The area covered by the three licenses was increased by 38% to more than eight million acres to ensure all prospects identified in InterOil's previous exploration studies are clearly within the company's licences.
InterOil said it applied for the new licences to obtain the benefit of the newly-established 30% tax rate in PNG.
"The Government of PNG has delivered tax reform and we are pleased to be able to respond immediately by starting the eight well drilling program," said Andy Carroll, general manager of exploration and production for InterOil.
"We are drilling ahead at Moose-1 and will have results by the end of this month. The next seven wells will follow immediately and should be drilled by the end of the year.
"The award of these licences and the drilling program provides the foundation for a revitalised oil industry in Papua New Guinea.
"We are now looking at accelerating and expanding the drilling program to deliver first oil to the refinery before the end of this year."
