Santos sends first cargo from $18.5bn GLNG project in Queensland

Australian oil and gas company Santos has commenced the first shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its $18.5bn GLNG project in Queensland.

Malaysian-owned LNG ship Seri Bakti, which is carrying the first cargo, has left Curtis Island on the way to South Korea.

Santos managing director David Knox said: "This is the largest project we have ever undertaken as a company and I am so proud that we have been able to deliver this on time and within budget.

"Successfully delivering our first operated LNG project is a testament to our dedicated employees and contractors, the support we have received from governments, local communities, our customers and shareholders, as well as the strong relationships we enjoy with our joint venture partners."

Construction of the project commenced in 2011 and the company said it invested more than $15bn Australia-wide, including $8bn only in Queensland.

According to the company, production from the first train began in September and work on the second train is ongoing.

Train two is expected to be operational by the end of the year, with the first LNG in the second quarter of next year.

GLNG venture produces natural gas from coal seams in Queensland and converts it into LNG. It involves the development of gas fields in the Surat and Bowen Basins, a 420km gas transmission pipeline and a two-train LNG plant on Curtis Island, near Gladstone.

The plant has the capacity to produce 7.8mt of LNG a year once operational.

As the operator, Santos holds a 30% interest in the project in partnership with co-venturers Petronas with 27.5%, Total with 27.5% and South Korea’s Kogas owns 15%.

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Image: Santos GLNG’s LNG trains. Photo: courtesy of Santos GLNG Project.