Santos GLNG plans expansion, Queensland government sees job opportunities

Santos GLNG’s proposed gas field operations expansion could create 1900 new jobs on 6000 new production wells and accompanying infrastructure over the next 20 years.

The Queensland Coordinator-General has released a draft Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed project and will undertake a rigorous environmental assessment of it before any decision is made.

The public have been invited to have their say and provide input into the EIS.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the potential expansion of Santos GLNG’s coal seam gas fields in the Surat and Bowen basins could create 1700 jobs for Queenslanders during construction and a further 200 ongoing operational jobs.

“The proposed Santos GLNG gas field development project entails the progressive development of 35 petroleum tenements covering around 11,000 square kilometres in the south-west of the state,” Seeney said.

These tenements are located across areas in the vicinity of Roma, Wallumbilla, Miles, Surat, Wandoan, Taroom, Injune and Rolleston and could lead to about 6000 production wells and necessary accompanying infrastructure being constructed progressively over the next 20 years.

“If the project goes ahead, it will provide considerable medium and long-term job opportunities for the region. However, its expansion must strike the right balance between the environment and existing land uses,” added Seeney.

The Coordinator-General is conducting a single assessment on behalf of the State and Federal governments with consultation set to occur from 10 November to 22 December 2014.

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Press Release; Image: Santos GLNG