According to The National, the Supreme Court has allowed a judicial review of a 2009 National Court decision which effectively alienated the Boera-based claim to more than 1200 hectares of traditional sea and seabed area.
While the area concerned does involve land for project sites relating to the under construction LNG plant, ExxonMobil's PNG subsidiary is not expecting any significant impacts.
"Esso Highlands Limited is able to occupy the land and construct the jetty and marine terminal, by virtue of licences issued under the Oil and Gas Act," a spokesperson told PNGIndustryNews.net.
"This proceeding has no impact on construction activities; it is essentially a claim for compensation by customary landowners, arising from deprivation of customary interests over beachfront and fishing grounds.
"The case relates to the beachfront and the offshore submerged lands - Portions 2457 and 2458. This is an issue between the plaintiff customary landowners and the lands department."
