Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Petroleum Jimmy Maladina, has invited Italian energy giant Eni to explore investment opportunities in PNG’s petroleum sector. Highlighting the country’s vast resource potential and upcoming licensing bid rounds for new exploration blocks. As part of the ongoing Production Sharing Contract (PSC) feasibility consultations, Minister Maladina and his delegation engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including existing contractors operating in the region. One such company was Eni Asia Pacific, a major player in deepwater exploration and development. During discussions with Mr. Roberto Daniale, Head of Eni Asia Pacific, Minister Maladina emphasized PNG’s commitment to fostering a competitive and transparent investment environment. He noted that the government is working to unlock petroleum prospects along the Gulf of Papua and the Papua coastline, with several blocks soon to be tendered internationally through a bid process managed by the Department of Petroleum and Energy. "PNG presents significant opportunities for responsible and well-capitalized investors. Given Eni’s expertise in deepwater exploration and development, we encourage them to consider expanding into PNG.” Mr. Daniale expressed interest on behalf of Eni, confirming that the company has been assessing potential opportunities in PNG. He added that Eni has requested further details on the upcoming bid rounds once they are formally announced. Minister Maladina reaffirmed that PNG is entering a new era of petroleum sector management, where license conditions will be strictly enforced, and speculative warehousing of exploration rights will no longer be permitted. "We are committed to ensuring that only genuine investors with the financial and technical capability to develop our resources are awarded licenses.” “As PNG positions itself as a key player in the regional energy market, the government remains focused on attracting world-class investors to drive responsible resource development for long-term economic growth.”