RE:Kumul Petroleum CEO in CalgaryI love the picture.
Mr. Sonk holds a Bachelor in Mining Engineering from the University of Technology, Lae, Papua New Guinea and a Diploma of Business – Business Management from Melbourne Business School, Mt Eliza Centre for Executive Education, Australia.
He was appointed Managing Director of the National Petroleum Company of PNG in January 2013 and the Managing Director of Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited in 2015.
He has occupied numerous leadership roles in the Petroleum Industry of PNG since beginning his career with Chevron Niugini Pty Ltd in 1997.
These roles include:
- Director – PNG LNG Project – IPBC (2012);
- Chairperson of Society of Petroleum Engineers (PNG Section) (2011);
- Technical Manager, Kumul Petroleum – Managing a Multi Skilled Team of Geologist & Engineers (2010 – 2011);
- Drilling & Completions Engineer – Oil Search Head Office – Sydney office, Australia (2007 – 2009);
- Night Shift Drilling Rig Operations Supervisor (2006 – 2007); and
- Field Coordinator, PNG to QLD Gas Pipeline Project FEED Team – Manage Multinational team (2005).
Last two posts at Kumul were
- KPHL Media
- Posted 05 July, 2023
Kumul Petroleum’s Fabrication Facility – first construction contract signed!
The planned Fabrication Facility came one step closer today, when Kumul Petroleum Holdings signed a contract with China State Construction Engineering Corporation PNG Limited China to undertake Phase 1 of early works civil work.
The contract was signed by Wapu Sonk, managing director of Kumul Petroleum Holdings, and Wang Ounan, general manager of the construction contractor.
Mr. Sonk, said, “This contract, for a total of US$10 million, about K35 million, will result in construction of access roads, building foundations and necessary associated site work and services rights of way.”
“This is the first step in the establishment of the KPHL training and fabrication facility. Civil construction work under the contract will prepare the training facility pad, fabricating facility pad, construction lay down pad, ready for phase 2 activities.”
Mr Sonk outlined that the contractor would mobilise on the 15th of July, with planned completion in the mid-fourth quarter of the year. He noted that when complete the facility would fabricate large, high-value structural, mechanical and piping modules for land-based process and non-process facilities used in LNG liquefaction and regasification facilities, petrochemical and refinery plants.
He continued,”KPHL is establishing the Kumul Construction Industry Training College on this same site, since it will be necessary to train a cadre of Papua New Guineans with skills necessary to participate in industry construction activities between now and 2032.
Mr Sonk concluded,” Kumul Petroleum, as the national petroleum and energy company, is proactively establishing this Fabrication Facility to maximise national content in future petroleum, mining, renewable energy and general heavy industry projects, through local manufacturing of products that until now have all been imported from overseas.
- KPHL Media
- Posted 28 June, 2023
Kumul Petroleum signs MOU with Ihu SEZ!
As a follow up from the agreement signed between the Ministry of International Trade and Investment and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited earlier this year, the management of the Ihu SEZ have now also signed an MOU with KPHL.
Wapu Sonk, Managing Director of Kumul Petroleum Holdings said, “KPHL is happy to collaborate with the Ihu SEZ Development Company to carry out feasibility studies on possible power generation solutions for their particular area.”
“We will look at the most appropriate power solutions for the Ihu SEZ, which could include use of DMO gas from the Papua LNG Project, gas from other fields where KPHL is the operator or renewable energy sources such as hydro.”
The managing director of the Ihu SEZ Development Company, Peter Kengemar, noted that, “the Ihu SEZ, established in 2020, is geographically and strategically located close to the well heads and pipeline of the Papua LNG Project.”
“The SEZ has been designated for industrial downstream processing and as mentioned by Minister Maru earlier this year, SEZ’s will not be viable unless they have access to a source of affordable electricity”, he added.
Mr Sonk noted,”KPHL will carry out feasibility studies on potential sources for the generation of electricity and make recommendations on what is commercially viable, whilst it will be the responsibility of the SEZ Development Company to liaise with local landowners, LLGs, the Gulf Provincial Government and the Ministry of International Trade and Investment as may be necessary to progress the recommended options.”
The MOU signing was witnessed by Richard Maru, the Minister for International Trade and Soroi Eoe, member for Kikori and Commerce Minister.
Minister Maru reiterated that any SEZ in the country would have to comply with certain basic requirements, which included clear land ownership, road, air and sea access and especially reliable and affordable power.
“I am hoping that the involvement of Kumul Petroleum investigating power options will result in cheap and affordable electricity for this SEZ,” said the Minister.
Mr Sonk noted that KPHL could also be involved in the SEZ as an investor if it was found that it was feasible to process and value add gas and produce chemicals such as methanol or urea.
“As a national company we are prepared to proceed with a project even if the commercial rate of return is less than what is usually required, so that the consequent multiplier effects of employment and local business development can be enjoyed.”
Mr Sonk stated,” As I have said previously, as the national petroleum and energy company, KPHL stands ready to provide appropriate power solutions for the country’s SEZ’s.”