InterOil, which is drilling the second of four exploration wells, plans to drill in the Gulf Province over the next 12-15 months.
Under a $300m exploration and appraisal program, the company will drill up to four appraisal wells on the Elk-Antelope and Triceratops discoveries.
The licenses in the area, which include PPLs 474, 475, 476 and 477, are valid for six years and cover the same area as PPLs 236, 237 and 238, which were previously held by InterOil.
InterOil chief executive officer Michael Hession said the company is proud to provide work for more than 1100 people in seismic and drilling, with another 300 expected to be taken on later this year.
"We are delighted that our commitment to the country has been recognized through the continued support of the National and Provincial Governments, and Mr. Duban, the newly appointed Petroleum and Energy Minister, as we work to develop Papua New Guinea’s resources for the benefit of all Papua New Guineans and our shareholders," Hession added.
