News Brief: English
Summary
The first LNG shipment from Santos’s $5.6 billion Barossa project has been loaded in Darwin, bound for Japan. The long-delayed project, crucial to the Northern Territory’s economy, faces ongoing challenges including environmental concerns over a leaking methane storage tank and investor worries about production targets and governance.
Key Points
- First Shipment: The inaugural LNG cargo from the offshore Barossa project has arrived at the Darwin LNG plant and is en route to Japan’s Sakai terminal.
- Project Delays: Originally slated for early 2025, the project faced major setbacks, including a months-long pipeline pause due to legal action by Tiwi Islands Traditional Owners.
- Investor & Production Concerns: Analysts note investor frustration. Santos’s 2027 production guidance was a downgrade, and the company must prove it can achieve full production rates.
- Methane Leak Controversy: The Darwin LNG storage tank has a known methane leak, ongoing for two decades. Regulators approved its use until 2050 without requiring a fix, drawing criticism from environmental and energy experts.
- Financial & Other Projects: Santos reported Q4 2025 sales revenue of $1.2B (up 9%). Its Alaskan Pikka project is on track for first oil in 2026. However, analyst predicts cash flow from both may “underwhelm” the market.
- Governance Questions: Concerns remain following the sudden departure of the CFO in late 2024.
新闻简报：中文
摘要
桑托斯公司价值56亿澳元的巴罗萨项目首批液化天然气已在达尔文港装船，运往日本。这一对北领地经济至关重要的项目长期延误，目前仍面临持续挑战，包括甲烷储罐泄漏引发的环境问题，以及投资者对产量目标和公司治理的担忧。
关键要点
- 首批货物：巴罗萨海上项目的首批液化天然气已抵达达尔文液化天然气厂，正在运往日本堺港的途中。
- 项目延误：项目原定于2025年初启动，但遭遇重大挫折，包括因提维群岛原住民长老提起法律诉讼而导致的管道工程暂停数月。
- 投资者与产量担忧：分析师指出投资者感到沮丧。桑托斯对2027年的产量指引低于市场预期，且公司需证明其能达到满负荷生产。
- 甲烷泄漏争议：达尔文液化天然气厂的储罐存在已知的甲烷泄漏问题，已持续二十年。监管机构批准其使用至2050年且未要求修复，引发了环境和能源专家的批评。
- 财务与其他项目：桑托斯公布2025年第四季度销售收入为12亿澳元（环比增长9%）。其在阿拉斯加的皮卡项目按计划将于2026年首次产油。但分析师预测，两个项目的现金流可能令市场”失望”。
- 公司治理问题：首席财务官于2024年底突然离职后，相关担忧仍然存在。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-22/nt-first-cargo-lng-santos-barossa-gas-leaves-darwin-for-japan/106258638