The proposed Papua New Guinea-to-Queensland gas pipeline is reportedly close to becoming a reality. It is understood that major investors Oil Search and Exxonmobil are close to securing the contracts they need to make the proposal viable. On 9 December 2002, Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, will fly to Papua New Guinea to hold talks with the two companies. Insiders take this as a sign that a decision to approve the project is imminent. The proposed project has benefited from Woodside Petroleum’s recent decision not to seek onshore sales for gas from its Greater Sunrise project in the Timor Sea.