Brisbane 17 June 2013. Employment in Queensland’s CSG/LNG industry has reached a new high of almost 30,000 workers, with LNG companies also injecting more than $20 billion into businesses across the state.

Officially opening Arrow Energy’s new headquarters in Brisbane today, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the figures were positive as the state’s CSG/LNG projects moved from concept to delivery.

“The three Queensland LNG plants on Curtis Island are world-firsts for converting coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas for export and at a time of global uncertainty this industry has been the driving force behind growth in our great state,” Mr Seeney said.

“This $60 billion-plus of investment is flowing throughout the state and transforming regional communities.

“For example, QGC and its contractors currently employ 11,600 people and since January 2010 has spent $12 billion in Australia. Of this, $9.6 billion was spent here in Queensland.

“Direct and indirect employees at the APLNG project total 10,100 at the end of April this year.

“APLNG has estimated that at last December its global spend was $10 billion, with around $6.9 billion spent in Queensland.”

“Santos’ GLNG project has created in the order of 6,800 jobs, and has spent $6 billion in Australia, of which $4 billion was in Queensland.”

Mr Seeney said Arrow Energy provided more than 1250 jobs for Queensland and engaged around 2000 contractors, on top of the three LNG plants, through its domestic gas and power generation and its CSG/LNG aspirations.

He said the CSG/LNG industry was building a highly skilled workforce which had proven to deliver on large resource projects.

“The expertise of these workers will provide newly-honed skills that can transfer to other major developments in Queensland in the future,” he said.

“The CSG/LNG industry is a crucial driver in getting the Queensland economy back on track.”

Image courtesy http://gastoday.com.au/news/new_downhole_pressure_sensors_to_reduce_csg_impact/076423/