Work on the $16 billion Santos (ASX: STO) Liquefied Natural Gas Project near Gladstone is underway, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh officially launching the project on Saturday.

The project, which is one of Australia’s largest energy projects, is expected to generate $9 billion a year in exports and create more than 5000 jobs during construction and about 1000 ongoing positions in the operational phase.

Ms Gillard said Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) will play an important part in the global transition towards a cleaner energy future.
According to her, projects such as this are projected to take Australia’s ranking from currently the world’s fourth largest exporter of LNG to second by 2015.

“The Gladstone project demonstrates the global attractiveness of Australia as an investment destination and as a reliable trading partner for energy commodities.

“It is further evidence of the important role LNG has to play as we transition to cleaner fuel sources,” Ms Gillard said.

The project will initially produce 7.8 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG, with a maximum potential production of 10 mtpa. The first cargo from the Gladstone Liquefied natural gas project is scheduled to be exported from 2015.

The Gladstone LNG Project is subject to more than 300 Commonwealth environmental conditions, in addition to those imposed by the Queensland Government.

The project will be joint venture between Australian company Santos, Malaysia’s PETRONAS, Total of France, and KOGAS of Korea (subject to regulatory approval).