The Santos-operated GLNG project on Curtis Island near Gladstone, Queensland, shipped a total of 89 cargoes during 2017, 14 more than in 2016.
LNG production at the plant rose 15 percent in 2017 to 5.2 million tons, compared to 4.5 million tons in 2016, Santos said in its quarterly report.
During the fourth quarter, the project reached a maximum daily rate of 8.9 mtpa, 14 percent above nameplate capacity. LNG production and sales volumes were higher than the previous quarter primarily due to gas purchases from QGC during their planned LNG plant shutdown in October, Santos said.
Upstream equity sales gas production remained steady relative to the previous quarter, as stronger Roma production offset slightly lower Fairview production. 172 new wells were drilled in 2017 and 200 new wells connected.
The ConocoPhillips-operated Darwin LNG project shipped 51 cargoes, six below the 2016 figures.
LNG sales volumes and production rose in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the previous quarter. Santos reminded that a two-well appraisal campaign on the Barossa field resulted in a 35 percent increase in the 2C resource base and strengthened the field’s position as the lead candidate for Darwin LNG backfill. A FEED-entry decision on a Barossa development is targeted for the second quarter of 2018.