Policemen from Lae and Mt Hagen were flown in to beef up security after Pai Parabia Resources Owners Association chairman Edward Alina threatened to forcibly close Moran Central, NW Moran and the Pawa drilling.

The National newspaper reported Alina's group was upset over the deferment of a development forum last week and had accused the Department of Petroleum and Energy and Oil Search of bowing down to the call of a "minority".

Highlands Assistant Commissioner of Police Simon Kauba said despite the threats, operations at Moran were proceeding as normal.

"The police are ready to face any landowner uprising," he said.