Esso PNG Robin Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corp, was awarded exploration licence PPL 600, located across the Papuan Fold Belt and Fly Platform (Papuan Basin), on 26 September 2018. The licence has been awarded for a period of six years and covers an area of 1,360 sq km.  Exxon Mobil now holds interest in seven exploration licences along the Pânyang to Muruk/Hides trend with joint venture partners Oil Search and Santos. As with the Oil Search operated PPL 395 licence, PPL 600 runs in an east-west orientation from Muruk to Pânyang.  PPL 600 was first applied for in August 2016. Repsol had submitted a top file application over its existing licence PPL 269 over the same area. The licence expired in 2017 and application was withdrawn after failing to encounter commercial hydrocarbons at the Strickland wells and the company had made the decision to commence its exit from PNG. PPL 600 excludes the Strickland well locations.  PPL 600 was awarded on 26 September 2018 to Esso PNG Robin Ltd which operates and holds 100% interest in the licence.
ExxonMobil, was awarded exploration licence PPL 600, located across the Papuan Fold Belt and Fly Platform.