Santos is today celebrating a milestone achievement for the gas industry with 50 years of gas production in Roma.
In April 1961, Queensland Governor Sir Henry Abel Smith turned on the gas supply at the Roma powerhouse. It was the first time in Australia that natural gas had been used to fuel electricity generation and it reconfirmed Roma’s trailblazing position in the country’s fledgling oil and gas industry.
Santos Queensland Vice President Rick Wilkinson said: “ With such a rich natural gas industry history to draw on, the Roma region is now poised to enter a new period of sustainable growth with the continued development of coal seam gas. This growth will provide many economic opportunities but also support a move to a cleaner, less carbon-intensive future .
“ Santos is now entering an exciting new era of gas production in Roma with the GLNG project which we are developing with our partners PETRONAS, Total and KOGAS .
“ As a natural gas and coal seam gas industry leader, we’re building on more than 50 years of responsible natural gas exploration and production in Australia .
“ Santos prides itself on our relationship with the Roma community and we are proud of our contribution to its prosperity .
“ This project will bring enormous benefits to this region, Queensland and Australia. In fact, last year Santos spent $22 million with suppliers in Roma .
“ We also recently announced a $4 million investment into the community to upgrade the Roma Airport terminal, improve Community and Allied Health services and increase housing support .”
Maranoa Mayor Cr Robert Loughnan said the milestone was an important one for Roma and acknowledged the important role that Santos had played in the development of the industry and the local community to date.
“ Santos has shown a lot of support for our community over the years and has recently committed to some significant infrastructure benefits as part of the GLNG project .”
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Source: Santos, April 19, 2011;