Santos has proposed further developments to Queensland gas fields throughout the Bowen and Surat Basins, with claims they could create a further 1900 jobs on top of existing numbers.
A draft Environmental Impact statement has been released by the Queensland Coordinator General for community consultation.
The draft suggests Santos will require 1700 workers for the construction phase of the expansion, and 200 for operational requirements.
Queensland deputy premier Jeff Seeney said the project, including necessary accompanying infrastructure, would be rolled out progressively over the next 20 years, meaning opportunities for mid- and long-term employment, The Chronicle reported.
“However its expansion must strike the right balance between the environment and existing land uses,” he said.
“We promised to grow the resource pillar of our economy and Santos GLNG's expansion proposal demonstrates it has confidence in Queensland's liquefied natural gas industry.”
Key features of the expansion include a maximum of 6100 production and monitoring wells, underground gas storage, injection wells, fixed above ground gas field facilities, water management infrastructure, and pipelines for gas and water.
Works will take place in the Banana, Central Highlands, Maranoa, and Western Downs regional councils.
Submissions by members of the public and industry will be accepted up to the 22 December 2014.
The project will be co-ordinated separately from the Santos GLNG project, but is owned by the same joint venture including Santos Limited, PENTRONAS, Total, and KOGAS.