PNG  Enhanced Legal Administration of Petroleum License Database Management System Development Objective To assist in strengthening the institutional capacity of the Government of Papua New Guinea to administer and regulate petroleum exploration and production operations in an efficient and transparent manner and thereby help to achieve private sector investment in the sustainable  assessment and development of the petroleum resources of Papua New Guinea. The project will assist the DPE to develop a petroleum licence administration and management system (hardware & software) used to secure and maintain information regarding petroleum agreements and operations.  The system will provide improved access to real-time information for the benefit of government authorities, the general public and investors. Link to CAS and/or ESW (core diagnostics, e.g., CPAR, CFAA, PER, CEM, etc.), and relationship to Bank operations The PNG CAS is based on two main pillars, namely 1) supporting the sound and transparent management of the country's natural resources and resource revenues and 2) addressing the needs of the poor by creating economic opportunities.  This project is directly associated with the objectives of pillar 1 of the CAS.  By enhancing the efficient and transparent administration the petroleum licence system, the project will also contribute to sound governance in the petroleum sector, thereby improving conditions for the foreign investment required to stimulate the economic opportunities desired under pillar 2. Relationship to country/recipient's development program, including donor activities As reported in the CAS; "The relationship between the Bank Group and the Government has improved due to the persistent efforts by both parties to find areas of consensus and productive cooperation.  In addition, the international assistance environment is now more positive: GoPNG has produced a credible Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS)."  While all key development partners have committed themselves to aligning their programs behind the MTDS, recent activity in the extractive industry governance has been focused on the mining sector, where significant progress is being made.  No similar development partner assistance projects directed at governance in the petroleum sector are currently underway. Description of the IDF-financed components and activities The project will fund engagement of an experience consultant (firm) to assist the DPE to: a.   Design and implement a computerized petroleum licence administration system b.   Integrate appropriate data and information into the system and an external web site d.   Identify requirements and deliver training to permit efficient operation and maintenance of the system Likely outcomes of IDF-financed activities If successfully implemented, the project will assist the GoPNG to: a.   Attract high risk exploration and development capital investment in the petroleum sector b.   Improve the government's monitoring of and petroleum contractors' compliance with the contractual and regulatory conditions for petroleum operations c.   Enhance the collection of petroleum contract fees d.   Have timely access to current and reliable information regarding petroleum sector investments and activities Key monitoring indicators (maximum of 3) Schedule for primary project deliverables: a.   Preparation of detailed system design and specification of hardware and software procurement specifications - Within 10 weeks following consultant contract award. b.   Commencement of onsite deployment of system - Within 9 months following contract award c.   Completion of data integration and initial DPE staff training - Within 18 months of contract award