Nautilus Minerals has completed the submerged trials for its Seafloor Production Tools in Papua New Guinea.
The company announced on Monday (12th Feb) that it has successfully completed its trials at the Motukea Port outside of Port Moresby.
Mike Johnston, Nautilus’ CEO, said: “The overarching objective of the trials was to ensure that all three machines met the requirements of their respective functional design specifications in submerged conditions.
“Results to date indicate that they do. Analysis is ongoing with a view to complete a full report on the submerged trials by the end of Q1 2018.”
The completed trials will now allow Nautilus to work closely with its partner Petromin, government officers from the various government regulatory agencies, as well as representatives from provincial governments of New Ireland and East New Britain.
Nautilus says it will also give community leaders from coastal villages geographically closest to the Solwara 1 site the opportunity to witness the trials of the equipment, and allow the company to accrue the economic benefits of the testing activity within PNG.
The equipment is currently being prepared for shipment to China where it will be integrated onto the vessel.
(Photo credit: Nautilus Minerals)