The rebuilding of the damaged liquids recovery plant section has been completed with the reinstatement of Train-B, which follows the start-up of Train-A in June.

With both Train-A and Train-B back to normal, the Moomba plant is now operating in full liquids recovery mode for the extraction of natural gas liquids such as LPGs and ethane.

Partial liquids recovery (approximately 70%) had been in operation since Train-A was reinstated.

“The reinstatement of Train-B is the final step in returning Moomba to normal operating capacity,” said Santos’ managing director, John Ellice-Flint.

“This is a significant achievement and was only possible due to the immense efforts of Santos employees and contractors over the past eight months.

“Santos also appreciates the support that has been provided by our customers, the government and pipeliners.”

The impact of the Moomba incident, combined with declining field performance from producing fields in Western Australia and Victoria, resulted in Santos achieving a reduced otal production of 21.2 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) in the latest June half year compared with 26.8mmboe in the previous corresponding period. The Moomba incident resulted in the loss of 4.0mmboe compared with the 2003 first half.

The company's overall after-tax net profit in the six months ended 30 June was $86.5 million, down from $135.6 million, chiefly due to the loss of production caused by the Moomba incident.