Not the near term news we would hope for.I do agree that an...

Not the near term news we would hope for.
I do agree that an alternate energy source like gas will be cheaper and less damaging to the environment.
From Esso to the south.

I was not happy with a Hydro Electric generation set up.

The dam was to be 300m high at the wall.
Earth quake risk enormous.
I was in PNG in Dec 1970 and experienced a 7.6 quake centred north of Madang. Lots of native gardens slipped from ridge tops between Madang and Wewak. I cant imagine how a 300m high dam wall would fair.
Construction time will probably be the same to finish as original. Tricky to lay a gas pipeline though.
Conclusion :- probably better for the project.
Cheers