The Santos GLNG project is now 75% complete and on track for the first shipment of LNG to sail out of Gladstone Harbour in Queensland next year.
With the 6,000-strong workforce delivering approximately 4.5 million work hours so far this year, Santos GLNG has already achieved a number of construction milestones in 2014, including the breakthrough of the pipeline tunnel underneath Gladstone Harbour and the completion of the final modules which will form the first LNG processing train.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman on Tuesday joined Santos CEO David Knox on a visit to Curtis Island to mark the 75% completion milestone.
“ We’re delighted to host the Premier to mark 75% completion of this truly world-class project, and thank him for his strong support in making this state a world-leading gas producer, ” Knox said.
“ As an Australian owned and operated company, we are very proud to be building this new industry for Queensland. We have had a home in this state for over 50 years, and it represents a hugely important part of our future.
“ To date, Santos GLNG has provided $5.1 billion worth of work to Queensland businesses, and over the coming decades of operation Santos GLNG will contribute billions of dollars in royalty payments to the people of Queensland .”
On Curtis Island, where the LNG plant is being constructed:
In the gas fields around Roma and Fairview:
Knox said that while the investment and economic contribution of Australia’s gas industry was important, “ the real value will be measured by our ability to operate responsibly, and in doing so to gain the trust of all of the communities, the individuals and the organisations that our business touches. ”
“ Santos has been operating in the Roma area since the sixties, and all these years of experience in the Australian natural gas industry have taught us that respect and trust are the keys to strong, enduring relationships with landholders ,” he said.
“ I’m pleased to say that a survey of landholders on whose properties Santos operates in Queensland, conducted independently by Nielsen, has shown our ability to work in co-existence with agriculture. ”
The survey found nine out of 10 landholders surveyed would welcome Santos GLNG back onto their properties.
Santos GLNG is a joint venture between Santos, Petronas, Total and Kogas.
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LNG World News Staff, February 18, 2014; Image: Santos GLNG