Santos Update
Demonstrating just how volatile the market is, a project that’s slated to commence, then gets shelved, is then re-ignited – all within a matter of weeks. We’re talking about Santos’ Reindeer Field and Devil Creek facility.
On 7 January, Santos announced it had signed a new contract to supply natural gas to CITIC Pacific’s Sino Iron Ore project, a world scale magnetite mining project in Cape Preston, Western Australia. 75% of capital expenditure is already committed for this project and the earthworks, power station and processing plant have already been completed with the mine under development, employing about 500 people on site (see more than 40 current opportunities listed at http://www.citicpacificmining.com/en/opportunities/employment.
It is intended that gas be supplied from the Reindeer gas project offshore Western Australia through a new 105km offshore pipeline and a new onshore gas processing facility at Devil Creek, located approximately 45kms southwest of Dampier.
Under the contract, Santos will supply the Sino Iron Ore project gas over seven years commencing in the second half of 2011. The contract however is subject to a number of conditions, which if fulfilled will enable Santos (45%) and joint venture partner, Apache (55%), to continue the Reindeer Project.
As the project progresses, we will update you on where the career opportunities are.
In addition, Santos continues to have a significant number of vacancies for professional/technical types in their Brisbane office as they ramp up for the Gladstone LNG plant, a joint venture with Petronas. The Front End Engineering Design (FEED) has commenced with a final investment decision expected in the first half of 2010. Reports indicate that Santos is starting one new employee almost daily to its Queensland operation with a total workforce in the coming months ramping up to the hundreds. Whilst we’ve seen that the tide on investment decisions can turn quickly, the project at this stage remains on schedule for the first shipments of gas in 2014.
Bechtel, as we’ve reported previously, have been appointed as the FEED contractor for the downstream components of the plant. Once the site is ready to move to construction, we’ll advise who has been appointed as major contractor(s) and where to apply.
Head to http://santoscareers.nga.net.au/fnt_jobs_list.cfm to see the current list of professional/ technical roles.