This involved the successful reinstatement over the weekend of Train-A, one of two liquids recovery plants at the Moomba operation.

Neither of the A and B liquids recovery trains has been operating since being damaged in the fire.

With both liquids recovery trains out of action, the plant has been operating in Dew Point Control Mode (DPCM), a process which cannot extract natural gas liquids.

“Returning Train-A to normal operation is a significant achievement in the overall process of returning the Moomba plant to full production,” Santos’ managing director, John Ellice-Flint, said today.

“With Train-A now operating, we are able to resume production of natural gas liquids such as ethane, propane and butane which have not been produced since January,” he said.

“This latest milestone returns natural gas liquids production to around 70% of normal capacity.”

Ellice-Flint said the successful recommissioning of Train-A provided further evidence of the dedication and commitment of the company’s team members who have worked around the clock to achieve another crucial production stage.

The liquids recovery re-streaming process will be completed in July with the planned reinstatement of B-Train of the Liquids Recovery plant.