Eni has signed a long-term partnership with Papa New Guinea to explore the possibility of oil in the region and to help with training.

The company will support the formation of a trust fund for future fenerations which will provide training schemes for local technical and managerial positions in the oil and gas sector.

Eni will open an office in the country and carry out a detailed exploration study as well as initiating a data acquisition program for the unexplored and unlicensed areas of Papa New Guinea.

Sir Michael Somare, the prime minister of the country, met with the chief executive officer of Eni Paolo Scaroni and was pleased with the agreement.

He welcomed the Italian company as a long-term partner in the development of Papa New Guinea's oil and gas industry.

The firm recently announced it has created a new Chair for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations who will contribute to the David Rockefeller Studies Program, a think tank for the council.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development