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Santos Ltd

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FY2014 Annual Report · Santos Ltd
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Annual 
Report 
2014

Santos Limited ABN 80 007 550 923

Contents

1  Message from the Chairman

  3 

 Q&A with David Knox, Santos Managing Director  
and Chief Executive Officer

  6  Board of Directors
  8  Santos Leadership Team
  10  Production and sales
  11  Reserves Statement
  16  Corporate Governance Statement
  36 
10-year summary
  38  Directors’ Report
  52  Remuneration Report
  75  Financial Report
 155 
Independent Auditor’s Report
 156  Auditor’s Independence Declaration
 157 
Information for shareholders
 158  Securities Exchange and Shareholder Information
 160 
 161  Glossary

Index

organisation chart

This 2014 Annual Report is a summary of Santos’ operations, 
activities and financial position as at 31 December 2014.

All references to dollars, cents or $ in this document are to 
Australian currency, unless otherwise stated.

An electronic version of this report is available on Santos’  
website, www.santos.com

BoARD CoMMIttees

BoARD oF DIReCtoRs

Audit & Risk

MAnAgIng DIReCtoR AnD ChIeF exeCutIve oFFICeR

Environment, Health, 
Safety and Sustainability

Finance

Nomination

People and Remuneration

sAntos leADeRshIp teAM

Comprises the Managing Director and his reports

Drive business strategy and operations

CoRpoRAte CentRe

BusIness unIts

teChnICAl DIsCIplInes

Business execution and delivery 

Provide excellence,  
service and assurance

Asia Pacific

Exploration and Subsurface

Eastern Australia

Drilling & Completions and Engineering 

GLNG

Safety and Environment

Western Australia and 
Northern Territory

Allocate capital and provide 
governance and policy

Human Resources, Health,  
Aboriginal Affairs

Finance, Strategy, Legal,  
Investor Relations, Treasury,  
Risk and Audit, Information 
Technology and Procurement 

Government and Public Affairs

Corporate Secretariat

B  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
Message from  
the Chairman

Santos’ vision is to be a leading energy company in 
Australia and Asia. We will continue to drive value and 
performance in our Australian base business, leverage 
our existing LNG infrastructure and capabilities, and 
build a focused, high-value position in South-East Asia.

Dear Shareholder,

Five years ago Santos approved the first of  
two transformational liquefied natural 
gas (LNG) projects to open more of our 
resources to the large and growing markets 
of Asia. In May 2014 PNG LNG exported its 
first cargo ahead of schedule and shipped 
55 cargoes during the course of the year. 
Our GLNG project also made substantial 
progress and ended the year more than 
90% complete, on track for first LNG in 
the second half of 2015. Once GLNG is 
fully ramped up, Santos will be exporting 
over 3 million tonnes of LNG per annum 
to customers throughout Asia, realising 
our vision to be a leading oil and gas 
producer in the region. These projects are 
underpinned by 20 year offtake agreements 
which will see shareholders benefit from 
strong cash flows for decades to come.

In 2014, the Board announced a progressive 
dividend policy that would strike a balance 
between higher dividends, debt repayment 
and ongoing investment for growth. With 
the start-up of PNG LNG in the first-half 
of 2014 and receipt of first cash from the 
project, we were pleased to announce a 
33% increase in the interim dividend from 
15 cents per share to 20 cents per share, 
fully franked.

In light of the current oil price environment, 
the Board elected to maintain a cautious 
approach and set the final dividend at  

15 cents per share, fully franked. This  
brings the full-year 2014 dividend to  
35 cents per share, up 17% on the prior 
year. We will again review the level of the 
dividend around the start-up of GLNG in 
the second half of 2015. 

is a non-cash accounting adjustment 
that relates only to the book value of the 
company’s assets. Taking into account the 
after tax impairments of $1.6 billion, the 
financial result for the year was a net loss 
after tax of $935 million. 

The Brent crude oil price fell by almost 50%  
in the fourth quarter of 2014, closing the 
year at US$56 per barrel, its lowest level 
in more than five years. The speed and 
degree of this decline was unexpected, 
impacting oil and gas stocks around the 
world, including Santos. We acknowledge 
the effect this has had on shareholder value 
and have moved to implement a range of 
initiatives to manage the company through 
this lower oil price environment. 

In 2014, despite the volatile oil price 
environment, Santos recorded its highest 
production in five years of 54.1 million 
barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe), record 
sales revenue of $4 billion and a strong 
operating cash flow of $1.8 billion, up 
13% on the prior year. The business also 
recorded an underlying net profit after tax 
of $533 million, an increase of 6% year 
on year, reflecting the strong operating 
performance of the business.

The sharp fall in oil prices in the second half  
of the year led us to recognise significant 
asset impairments in our 2014 results of 
$1.6 billion after tax. The impairment charge 

The long term characteristics of the world’s 
energy markets should continue to support 
the growth in global LNG demand. The 
world’s population is expected to grow by 
1.1 billion people over the next 15 years, and 
the secure and reliable supply of energy 
remains fundamental to a strong, cohesive 
and prosperous society1. As a result, the 
demand for food is projected to increase by 
35%, water by 40% and energy by 50%2. 

Australia, with over 920 trillion cubic feet 
(Tcf) of natural gas resources and local 
demand of only 1 Tcf per annum, is well 
placed to meet the energy demands of the 
domestic Australian market and contribute 
supply to our Asian neighbours3. And Santos’ 
vision to be a leading energy company in 
Australia and Asia remains unchanged.  
We are committed to providing the energy 
needs of schools, hospitals, homes, 
transport networks as well as business and 
industry. We will continue to drive value 
and performance in our base business, 
leverage our existing LNG infrastructure and 
capabilities, and build a focused, high-value 
position in South-East Asia. 

1.  United Nations, July 2014

2.  US National Intelligence Council, Global Trends 2030, December 2012

3.  BREE, Gas Market Report, November 2014

|  1

Chairman’s Review 
continued

For societies to continue to prosper, we must create a diverse, reliable and 
affordable energy mix that will underpin our standard of living as well as 
our children’s future. The natural gas industry will have an important role 
in achieving this, and Santos is already playing its part.

on driving operational efficiency, reducing 
costs, prudently managing capital and 
ensuring our balance sheet remains strong. 
Our strategy is clear; we will continue 
to focus on the long-term drivers of 
shareholder value that reinforce Santos’ 
position as a leading energy company in 
Australia and Asia. 

Finally, in March 2015 it was announced 
that I will retire as Chairman and member  
of the Board at the Annual General Meeting 
on 30 April. Mr Peter Coates, AO, currently 
a non-executive director, will resume 
the role of Chairman. It has been a great 
privilege to serve on the Board of Santos 
and I would like to thank all of the Santos 
team for their dedication and hard work.  
I leave in the knowledge that the company 
has an experienced Chairman, a strong 
Board and an executive team well led by 
Managing Director and Chief Executive 
Officer David Knox.

Ken Borda 
Chairman

Santos’ technical and highly credentialed 
work-force is committed not only to 
safe and sustainable operations but 
also recognising that we operate in 
communities, and as such, must work  
hard to gain their trust and support. 

Santos prides itself on the reputation it has 
earned through transparent and proactive 
engagement in the communities in which 
we operate. Our project life cycles are often 
over many decades and as such, we are 
in a position to benefit local communities 
and landholders over the long-term. Santos 
has helped fund road improvements 
and communications infrastructure, and 
contributes millions of dollars each year 
in rates to shire councils. Our policy to 
support local service providers and product 
suppliers also boosts local businesses and 
our in-kind support also helps community 
groups to organise and run events and 
provide emergency services support.

For societies to continue to prosper, 
we must create a diverse, reliable and 
affordable energy mix that will underpin 
our standard of living as well as our 
children’s future. The natural gas industry 
will have an important role in achieving 
this, and Santos is already playing its part. 
For further information regarding our 
commitment to environmental and social 
reporting, I would encourage you to read 
our 2014 Sustainability Report, available 
on our website at www.santos.com/
sustainability

In 2014 we took the opportunity to 
strengthen the Board, appointing two new 
independent non-executive directors. 

Scott Sheffield was appointed in February 
and brings strong leadership, technical and 
operational skills to the Board and a deep 
understanding of the US energy industry 
and markets. The company he leads in 
the US, Pioneer Natural Resources, is at 
the forefront of the US shale oil and gas 
industry.

Yasmin Allen was appointed in October 
and has more than 20 years’ experience in 
finance and investment banking and brings 
extensive governance, leadership and risk 
management skills to the table. Yasmin is 
also a Director of Insurance Australia Group 
Limited, Cochlear Limited and ASX Limited. 

On behalf of the Board, I would like to 
thank all our employees and contractors. The 
professionalism and hard work exhibited  
is evident in the delivery of production 
growth, new projects and exploration 
success. During this period of intense 
construction, we maintained a strong 
safety track record. Our lost time injury 
frequency rate (LTIFR) of 0.67 reflects our 
commitment that no business objective will  
take priority over health and safety, and 
that no task is so important or urgent that 
it cannot be done safely.

The Board and management would also 
like to thank you, our shareholders, for your 
ongoing support. We remain focused 

2  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

Q&A

With David Knox, Managing Director  
and Chief Executive Officer

In 2014, Santos achieved record sales revenue,  
strong operating cash flow, the highest production 
level in five years and added to future production 
potential through successful exploration and appraisal 
activities. In December we responded to the fall in 
oil price by cutting capital spend in 2015 by 44% 
compared with 2014.

how did santos deliver against its  
vision to be a leading energy company  
in Australia and Asia in 2014?

As I reflect on 2014, I am proud to say the 
underlying business performed well.

PNG LNG commenced production ahead 
of schedule in April and was producing at 
full capacity by late July. Construction on 
this project commenced in 2010, and with 
over 55,000 workers involved and 200 
million work hours expended on the project’s 
construction, it was indeed a remarkable feat 
of logistics, engineering and design. 

We also made considerable headway during 
the year on our Gladstone LNG project. The 
US$18.5 billion project is now more than 
90% complete and we remain on track for 
first LNG in the second half of 2015, on 
time and on budget. 

Importantly, despite the volatile external 
environment, the long-term fundamentals 
that underpin our vision to be a leading 
energy company in Australia and Asia have 
not changed.

The world’s population is forecast to grow 
by 1.1 billion over the next 15 years1. The 
majority of this growth will be in Asia where 
the local population is expected to increase 
at double the rate of the rest of the world 
combined. This, coinciding with the rapid 
migration of people from rural areas to 
cities, will see Asia’s energy demand 
increase by nearly 50%2. 

1.  United Nations, July 2014

2.  IEA, World Energy Outlook 2014 

Natural gas, with its lower carbon footprint, 
will be a key beneficiary of this growth. 
Exposing Santos’ gas reserves to these 
large and growing export markets has 
created the scale and pricing necessary to 
justify the continued development of our 
resources to meet demand growth, both 
here in Australia and in Asia, and ultimately, 
deliver greater returns to shareholders. 

In Australia, where we seek to drive value 
and performance in our base business and 
unlock resources to meet demand, we 
delivered strongly in 2014. 

The Eastern Australia Business Unit 
recorded a 7% rise in sales revenue to 
more than $2 billion primarily on the back 
of increased drilling activity, infrastructure 
upgrades and higher third-party processing 
in the Cooper Basin. This increase in 
production and upgrades to infrastructure 
have set the company up to meet its 
commitments to supply Santos gas to the 
GLNG project, and also to take advantage 
of new opportunities as existing east coast 
contracts roll off in the coming years.

An impairment to the value of our NSW  
gas assets was recorded on the back of  
a 30% reduction in reserves combined with 
a later start-up date for the Narrabri Gas 
Project. This action does not change our 
view about the project and the importance 
for NSW to develop its own natural gas 
supplies. This is a strategic asset and we 
remain focused on supplying natural gas  
to the 1 million families in NSW that use  
our product and the thousands of people 

who rely on the energy provided by gas  
for their employment.

The Western Australia and Northern 
Territory Business Unit recorded a 
significant gas-condensate discovery with 
the Lasseter-1 well in the Browse Basin, 
offshore Western Australia, reinforcing our 
material resource position following our 
Crown discovery in 2012.

The Barossa-3 appraisal well in the 
Bonaparte Basin, offshore Northern 
Territory, also recorded a strong result, 
thereby strengthening the position of the 
field to potentially supply gas for either 
back-fill or expansion at Darwin LNG. 

The Asia Pacific Business Unit underwent 
a significant transformation with the early 
start-up of PNG LNG in April of 2014. By 
year-end over 55 cargoes of LNG had been 
shipped to customers throughout Asia. The 
early start-up of PNG LNG resulted in a 
134% lift in EBITDAX3 to $743 million.

The Business Unit also recorded new project 
delivery in Indonesia and Vietnam, and made 
a new country entry, farming in to high 
impact exploration acreage in the Sabah 
Basin, offshore Malaysia.

Santos has been providing natural gas 
safely and securely in Australia for more 
than 50 years and because of the global 
need for energy – especially in the Asia-
Pacific – Santos has now grown into a 
regional energy company. At 2014 year-end 
we were delivering 160,000 barrels of oil 
equivalent a day, which is an outstanding 

3.  EBITDAX (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, depletion, exploration and evaluation and impairment)

|  3

Q&A 
continued

result and certainly the highest daily 
production since I joined the company.

Through diversification we have built  
a more robust and sustainable business, 
enabling us to be resilient throughout  
the energy price cycle.

What initiatives have you taken to 
address the fall in oil price?

We are meeting the challenge of a volatile 
oil price head on. In December 2014 we 
announced a reduction in forecast 2015 
capital expenditure to $2 billion, 44% lower 
than 2014. In doing so, we led the industry 
by responding in a clear and significant way. 
We also announced at that time that asset 
divestments were under consideration as 
part of the company’s ongoing portfolio 
management, provided fair long-term value 
is realised.

Cost pressures will continue to abate as we  
review contracts and optimise procurement, 
logistics and construction strategies across 
the business. In fact, production costs 
per barrel are expected to reduce by 10% 
in 2015. We are implementing innovative 
technologies to drive down costs and 
increase efficiencies in line with the current 
operating environment.

We also sought to maintain a robust 
liquidity profile, and to that end we 
announced a $1 billion bi-lateral debt facility 
in the second half of December. This is 
effectively a buffer should it ever be needed. 
The money is not drawn down, but is kept 
for unexpected events and supports our 

4  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

liquidity profile. At the end of 2014, Santos 
had approximately $2.9 billion in cash and 
undrawn debt facilities available.

In a lower oil price environment we will 
continue to drive efficiencies and cost 
out measures. Across the business we 
are eliminating all distractions, simplifying 
and challenging ourselves. We strive to be 
as efficient as we can while ensuring we 
maintain the integrity of our operations  
and keep everyone safe. 

Nobody can predict the future direction of 
the oil price, but what we can do is ensure 
that, as a firm, we remain robust through 
the lower oil price environment.

how do you think about santos as an 
environmentally and socially responsible 
energy company?

There was much debate during the year 
about what defines a company’s credibility 
with respect to operating in an environmental, 
sustainable and socially responsible manner. 
The debate around the environment and 
climate change is an important one and, as 
such, it needs to be based on science and 
facts rather than fiction.

As a region blessed with a large 
endowment of natural resources, we have 
a responsibility to help our neighbouring 
countries and economies grow to improve 
their standard of living. I am glad to say that 
Santos is a company that has the capacity 
and responsibility to promote progress  
to a more sustainable future. 

Santos is committed to taking a seat at the 
table to better understand the challenges, 
concerns and genuine needs of our local 
communities and key stakeholders. Working 
with local landholders and communities is 
central to what we do and we simply could 
not operate without building these strong 
and enduring relationships. 

Ultimately, it is true engagement on 
both sides that will bring communities, 
employees, and the wider public onboard. 
And it is the Santos way of genuinely 
committing to engagement, and taking 
the time to do it properly, that has ensured 
we have a positive reputation in the 
communities in which we operate.

Energy after all can be the source of 
progress and prosperity – not only does 
it power our homes and underpin our 
manufacturing industry, but access to 
energy lifts living standards for families and 
provides opportunities for businesses in 
Australia, Asia and around the globe.

During the year we were recognised by 
the National Trust as a corporate icon in 
recognition of our outstanding contribution 
to South Australia. The National Trust 
recognised the high degree of integrity, 
social responsibility and leadership shown 
by Santos since 1954, and this would not 
be possible without our people - from 
the tenacity of our early pioneers to the 
committed staff of today.

Our consistent and enduring approach to 
lightening our footprint and working closely 

Exposing Santos’ gas reserves to global markets has created the scale 
and pricing necessary to justify the continued development of our 
resources and ultimately, deliver greater returns to shareholders.

with our communities has paved the way 
for our success. We have received awards 
both internationally and in Australia for our 
track record, and have been recognised by 
the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices World 
Leaders Index, and as a sustainability leader 
in Australia and in the Asia-Pacific region. 

The safety of our employees, contractors 
and the communities in which we work, 
will underpin our operations each and 
every day. Our objective, is to ensure that 
everyone goes home from work without 
injury. We remain focused on this objective, 
and in 2014 we recorded another good year 
in terms of lost time injury performance. 
This was particularly pleasing during a 
period in which two major contractors 
completed work and demobilised from the 
GLNG project. 

Santos is passionate about paving the way 
for brighter futures. We are built on strong 
foundations of environmental, sustainable 
and social responsibilities, and have the right 
mechanisms in place to prepare for the next 
phase of gas supply to Australia and our 
Asian neighbours.

For me, it remains a privilege to be your 
CEO. I am proud of the hard work and 
commitment that Santos employees and 
contractors demonstrated during 2014. We 
remain focused on maximising returns for 
shareholders.

|  5

Board of Directors

Kenneth BoRDA*

DAvID Knox

YAsMIn Allen

peteR CoAtes Ao*

Kenneth DeAn

Chairman

LLB, BA

Appointed Santos Chairman 
on 9 May 2013. Previously 
independent non-executive 
Director since 14 February 
2007. Chairman of Santos 
Finance Limited. Chairman of 
the Nomination Committee 
and member of the Finance 
and People & Remuneration 
Committees of the Board.

Board member of Fullerton 
Funds Management Company 
Limited, owned by Temasek, 
Singapore, since February 
2007. Chairman of Aviva Ltd 
(Singapore) and Navigator 
Investment Service Ltd 
(Singapore) since January 
2011. Director since 2009.

Seventeen year career 
with Deutsche Bank based 
in Sydney, Hong Kong, 
Singapore and Dubai. 

Formerly Regional CEO Asia 
Pacific, Regional CEO Middle 
East and North Africa and 
CEO Australia and New 
Zealand, Deutsche Bank until 
retirement in May 2007 after 
17 years of service.

Managing Director and 
Chief executive officer

BSc (Hons) Mech Eng, MBA, 
FIE Aust, FTSE

Appointed Managing Director 
and Chief Executive Officer 
of Santos in July 2008, having 
been appointed Acting Chief 
Executive Officer in March 
2008. Joined Santos in 
September 2007 as Executive 
Vice President Growth 
Businesses. Member of the 
Environment, Health, Safety 
and Sustainability Committee 
of the Board. Director of 
Santos Finance Ltd.

Over 30 years of experience in 
the global oil and gas industry, 
including as Managing Director 
for BP Developments in 
Australasia from 2003 to 
2007. Previously held senior 
positions with BP in Australia, 
the United Kingdom and 
Pakistan, and management 
and engineering roles at ARCO 
and Shell in the United States, 
Netherlands, the United 
Kingdom and Norway.

Director of the Migration 
Council Australia. Chairman 
of the Adelaide Botanic 
Gardens Foundation and 
Director of the Board of 
the Botanic Gardens and 
State Herbarium in South 
Australia. Council Member of 
the Commonwealth Science 
Council, Business Council 
of Australia, University 
Queensland Industry 
Engagement Committee, 
Great Barrier Reef Foundation 
and the Royal Institute of 
Australia. Chair of the CSIRO 
Energy Strategic Advisory 
Committee. Member of 
Trade and Investment Policy 
Advisory Council and the UK 
University College London 
Advisory Committee. Fellow 
of the Australian Institute of 
Mechanical Engineering and 
elected in November 2012 
as a Fellow of the Australian 
Academy of Technological 
Sciences and Engineering

BCom FAICD

Independent non-executive 
Director since 22 October 
2014. A member of the 
Environment, Health, Safety 
and Sustainability Committee 
of the Board.

Ms Allen has more than  
20 years experience in 
finance and investment 
banking, including senior roles 
at Deutsche Bank AG, ANZ 
and HSBC Group Plc.

Ms Allen is a director of 
Insurance Australia Group 
Limited, where she chairs 
the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee 
and is a member of the 
Audit and Risk Committee. 
She is a director of Cochlear 
Limited, chairs its Audit 
Committee and is a member 
of the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee. 
She is also a director of  
ASX Limited.

Ms Allen was formerly chair 
of Macquarie Specialised 
Asset Management Limited. 
She is a national director 
of the Australian Institute 
of Company Directors, a 
member of the George 
Institute for Global Health 
Board and a director of the 
National Portrait Gallery.

BCom (Hons), FCPA, FAICD

Independent non-executive 
Director since 23 February 
2005. Member of the Audit 
and Risk, Finance and 
Nomination Committees of 
the Board. Director of Santos 
Finance Limited since 30 
September 2005.

Non-executive director of 
Bluescope Steel Limited since 
April 2009 and Chairman of 
Bluescope’s Audit and Risk 
Committee. Independent 
non-executive director of 
EnergyAustralia Holdings 
Limited since June 2012.

Previously Chief Financial 
Officer of Alumina Limited, 
alternate director of Alumina 
Limited, and non-executive 
director of Alcoa of Australia 
Ltd, Alcoa World Alumina 
LLC and related companies, 
October 2005 to February 
2009. Director of Shell 
Australia Ltd from 1997 
to 2001 and Woodside 
Petroleum Ltd from 1998 to 
2004.

40 years’ experience in the 
oil and gas industry. Fellow 
of the Australian Society 
of Certified Practising 
Accountants and Fellow of 
the Australian Institute of 
Company Directors. Former 
Chief Executive Officer of 
Shell Financial Services and 
member of the La Trobe 
University Council.

BSc (Mining Engineering), 
FAICD, FAusIMM

Independent non-executive 
Director. Previously Santos 
Chairman from 9 December 
2009 to 9 May 2013, and 
prior to that an independent 
non-executive Director since 
18 March 2008. Member of 
the Nomination Committee 
of the Board and Member 
of the Environment, Health, 
Safety and Sustainability 
Committee of the Board.

Non-executive director of 
Glencore plc since its float 
in April 2011 until its merger 
with Xstrata plc in May 
2013. Joined the Board of 
the merged company in 
June 2013 and worked as an 
executive director assisting 
with the integration of 
Glencore and Xstrata before 
resuming the position as 
a non-executive director 
from 1st January 2014. 
Non-executive Chairman 
of Glencore majority owned 
Sphere Minerals Ltd since 
May 2013.

Non-executive director 
of Amalgamated Holdings 
Limited since July 2009 and 
Chair of the Sydney North 
West Rail Link Advisory 
Board since December 2012 .

Former non-executive 
Chairman of Xstrata Australia 
Pty Limited from January 
2008 to August 2009 and 
former Chairman and non-
executive director of Minara 
Resources Limited from April 
2008 to April 2011. Previously 
Chief Executive of Xstrata 
Coal, Xstrata plc’s global coal 
business. Past Chairman 
of the Minerals Council of 
Australia, the NSW Minerals 
Council and the Australian 
Coal Association.

Made an Officer of the Order 
of Australia in June 2009 
and was awarded the 2010 
Australasian Institute of 
Mining and Metallurgy Medal.

6  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

*  Ken Borda will be stepping down as Chairman and resigning as a Santos Board member following our  

Annual General Meeting on the 30 April 2015. Peter Coates has been elected by the Board to replace Ken Borda.

RoY FRAnKlIn oBe

hoCK goh

JAne heMstRItCh

gRegoRY MARtIn

sCott sheFFIelD

BSc (Hons)

B Eng (Hons) Mech Eng

BSc (Hons), FCA, FAICD

B.Ec, LLB, FAIM, MAICD

BS Petroleum Engineering

Independent non-executive 
Director since 28 September 
2006. Chairman of the 
Environment, Health, Safety 
and Sustainability Committee 
and member of the 
People and Remuneration 
Committee of the Board.

Non-executive director of 
Keller Group plc since July 
2007 and Chairman since 
August 2009. Non-executive 
director of Cuadrilla 
Resources Holdings Limited 
since January 2012 and a 
member of the Supervisory 
Board of OMV AG since May 
2014.

Chief Executive Officer of 
Paladin Resources plc from 
1997 to 2005 and former 
Group Managing Director 
of Clyde Petroleum plc. 
Chairman of BRINDEX, the 
trade association for UK 
independent oil and gas 
companies from 2002 to 
2005 and a former member 
of PILOT, the joint industry/
UK Government task 
force set up to maximise 
hydrocarbon recovery from 
the UK North Sea 2002-05. 
Former non-executive 
director of Statoil ASA from 
October 2007 to June 2013.

In 2004, awarded the OBE 
for services to the UK oil and 
gas industry.

Independent non-executive 
Director since 22 October 
2012. Member of the 
Environment, Health, Safety 
and Sustainability Committee 
and the Audit and Risk 
Committee of the Board.

More than 30 years’ 
experience in the global oil 
and gas industry, having 
spent 25 years with 
Schlumberger Limited, 
including as President of 
Network and Infrastructure 
Solutions division in London, 
President of Asia, and Vice 
President and General 
Manager of China. Previously 
held managerial and staff 
positions in Asia, the Middle 
East and Europe. 

Chairman of MEC Resources 
Ltd since October 2006. 
Appointed as non-executive 
director of Stora Enso Oyj 
(Finland) in April 2012 and 
AB SKF (Sweden) in March 
2014. 

Previously an Operating 
Partner of Baird Capital 
Partners Asia, based in 
China, from 2007 to June 
2012, and non-executive 
director of Xaloy Holding Inc 
in the US from 2006 to 2008 
and BPH Energy from 2007 
to 2015.

Mr Sheffield is an 
independent non-executive 
Director, effective 24 
February 2014. Member of 
the Finance Committee  
of the Board.

He is Chairman and Chief 
Executive Officer of Pioneer 
Natural Resources Company, 
which is listed on the New 
York Stock Exchange and 
included in the S&P 500 
Index. He has been Chief 
Executive Officer since 1997 
and Chairman since 1999.

Serves on various industry 
and education-related 
boards, including the National 
Petroleum Council and the 
Maguire Energy Institute 
of the SMU Cox School of 
Business. 

Recipient of the Permian 
Basin Association’s Top Hand 
award, which recognises 
individuals who have 
demonstrated exceptional 
leadership within the oil and 
gas industry and the Permian 
Basin community. He is also 
a 2013 inductee into the 
Permian Basin Petroleum 
Museum Hall of Fame.

Independent non-executive 
Director since 16 February 
2010. Member of the People 
& Remuneration committee 
and Chairman of the Audit 
and Risk Committee.

Broad experience in the oil 
and gas, telecommunications, 
government, financial 
services and manufacturing 
sectors. Spent 25 years of 
her career with Accenture 
and Andersen Consulting. 
Formerly Accenture’s 
Managing Director 
Resources Operating Group 
Asia Pacific, and before that, 
Country Managing Director 
Australia.

Non-executive director of 
the Commonwealth Bank 
of Australia since October 
2006, Lend Lease Group 
since September 2011 and 
Tabcorp Holdings Ltd since 
November 2008. Chairman 
of Victorian Opera since 
February 2013 having 
formerly been non-executive 
director since 2010. Director 
of the Walter and Eliza Hall 
Institute of Medical Research 
since November 2013.

A member of the Council 
of the National Library of 
Australia. A Fellow of the 
Institutes of Chartered 
Accountants in Australia 
and in England and Wales, 
a Fellow of the Australian 
Institute of Company 
Directors and a member of 
Chief Executive Women Inc.

Independent non-executive 
Director since 29 October 
2009. Chairman of the 
People & Remuneration and 
Finance Committees of the 
Board and Member of the 
Audit and Risk Committee  
of the Board.

Non-executive Director of a 
number of listed and unlisted 
companies including Energy 
Developments Limited since 
May 2006. Chairman of Iluka 
Resources Limited from18 
December 2013. Chairman 
and Joint Managing Partner 
of Prostar Capital since 
July 2012 and independent 
non-executive Chairman of 
Sydney Desalination Plant 
Pty Ltd from December 
2012. Appointed Australian 
Senior Adviser to the Royal 
Bank of Canada (RBC) in 
May 2014.

Previous Deputy Chairman 
of the Australian Gas 
Association, inaugural 
Chairman of the Energy 
Supply Association of 
Australia between 2004 and 
2006 and Non Executive 
Director of Australian 
Energy Market Operator 
Limited. Past member of the 
Business Council of Australia, 
Committee for the Economic 
Development of Australia, 
and the Council on Australia 
Latin America Relations. 
Formerly Managing Director 
and Chief Executive Officer 
of AGL, Chief Executive 
Infrastructure at Challenger 
Financial Services Group 
and Managing Director of 
Murchison Metals Limited.

|  7

santos leadership team

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

13

12

14

01 DAvID Knox
Managing Director  
and Chief executive officer

04 JAMes BAulDeRstone
eastern Australia
LLB (Hons), BSc (Hons)

For bio see page 6.

02 AnDReW seAton
Chief Financial officer
BEng Hons (Chem), GradDip 
BusAdmin

Andrew Seaton was appointed 
Chief Financial Officer in 
2010, and is responsible for 
Santos’ corporate finance, 
accounting, taxation, treasury, 
risk, audit, insurance, corporate 
development, strategy & 
planning, information systems 
and procurement functions.

Andrew has over 25 years of 
oil and gas industry experience, 
encompassing finance, banking, 
commercial and engineering 
roles. Prior to joining Santos 
in 2005, Andrew held senior 
positions in investment 
banking with Merrill Lynch and 
corporate banking with NAB 
where he worked on a broad 
range of M&A, equity and debt 
transactions. His early career 
included 10 years of operations, 
engineering design and project 
management experience.

03 John AnDeRson
Asia, Western Australia  
and northern territory
LLB, BEc, GDCL

John Anderson is responsible 
for Santos’ activities in the 
Asia Pacific, Western Australia 
and the Northern Territory, 
including commercial and 
finance, business development, 
exploration, development and 
operated assets.

John joined Santos in 1996 
as Corporate Counsel for the 
former Queensland Northern 
Territory Business Unit. John 
has over more than 20 years’ 
experience in the upstream oil 
and gas industry.

James Baulderstone  
is responsible for Santos’ 
activities in Eastern Australia 
and unconventional business 
across Australia. This includes 
the exploration, production, 
development and commercial-
isation of the company’s oil  
and gas resources in central 
Australia, the Gunnedah Basin 
and offshore Victoria.

James also oversees Santos’ 
Public Affairs team, leading the 
company’s engagement with 
communities and governments.

James joined Santos in 2007 
as General Counsel and 
Company Secretary after 
previously holding similar roles 
at Mayne Group and BlueScope 
Steel. James has 23 years of 
extensive legal, commercial 
and business development 
experience.

05 tRevoR BRoWn
Queensland
BSc (Hons) (Geology)

Trevor Brown has end-to-end 
responsibility for the delivery of 
optimal gas supply, execution 
of the upstream facilities 
construction project and 
ongoing upstream development 
and operations for the GLNG 
Project.

Trevor is a petroleum geologist 
with more than 29 years’ 
experience in the oil and gas 
industry working onshore 
and offshore exploration 
and development projects in 
Australia, South East Asia, the 
US and South America including 
11 years in Indonesia. Trevor 
joined Santos in 2001 from 
Unocal.

06 peteR CleARY
lng Markets  
and Commercial
B. Com, LLB

Peter Cleary leads LNG 
commercial for Santos, and 
commercial for the Eastern 
Australia Business Unit.

Peter joined Santos in 
September 2010 from BP, 
where he was the President 
of North West Shelf Australia 
LNG, the LNG marketing 
company for the North West 
Shelf Venture. During his 24-
year career with BP, Peter held 
senior management positions 
in Australia, Indonesia, Korea, 
Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and the 
United Kingdom.

Peter is currently a member of 
the Executive Committee of 
the Australia Japan Business 
Co-operation Committee, 
the Australia Korea Business 
Council, and is a Board member 
of the Australian Petroleum 
Production & Exploration 
Association.

07 petRInA CoventRY
human Resources  
and Communities
B.Ed. M.Phil. (Ethics) MBA. 
EMBA. FAICD. FAHRI

Petrina joined Santos in 2009 
and is responsible for the 
company’s organisational and 
community strategies. 

Prior to Santos, she worked for 
leading companies such as GE 
and The Coca Cola Company 
out of the United States, 
Europe and Asia. She has over 
25 years of experience in global 
executive and non-executive 
director roles across the 
energy, financial services, and 
manufacturing and fast-moving 
consumer goods sectors.

8  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

14 BRett WooDs
Western Australia  
and northern territory
BSc (Hons) Geology & 
Geophysics

Brett Woods is responsible for 
Santos’ activities in Western 
Australia and its offshore 
interests in Northern Territory 
and South Australia, including 
commercial and finance, 
business development, 
exploration, development and 
operated assets.

Brett joined Santos in 
February 2013 as the Manager 
Exploration for the company’s 
Perth-based WA & NT business 
unit. Brett is a geologist and 
geophysicist, and has over 20 
years of oil and gas industry 
experience including senior 
management, technical and 
business development roles 
with Woodside, Japan Australia 
LNG (MIMI) and UK-listed 
Sterling Resources.

He was also managing director 
of dual-listed E&P company, 
Rialto Energy, which had 
interests throughout Africa and 
Australia.

Brett has worked around the 
world in many challenging 
environments and led multi-
disciplinary teams.

More recently Diana has  
been at the forefront of 
innovation within Santos, 
including sourcing technologies 
to deal with the complex 
engineering and technical 
challenges of conventional  
and unconventional drilling.

10 DAvID lIM
Company secretary
BEc, LLB, Ch.Sec

David Lim is accountable to 
the Board for the effectiveness 
of corporate governance 
processes, ensuring adherence 
to the Board’s principles and 
procedures and coordinating all 
Board business, and provides 
the Santos Board with 
independent advice and support 
in relation to these matters.

Prior to joining Santos in 2007, 
David had over 15 years of 
experience in commercial legal 
practice. He is an accredited 
Chartered Secretary.

11 AnDReW nAIRn 
group executive  
Investor Relations
B.Comm

Andrew is responsible for 
Santos’ investor and media 
relations.

He has over 20 years resources 
industry experience, encompassing 
finance, commercial and investor 
relations roles. Andrew joined 
Santos in 2008 from BHP Billiton.

Andrew is a member of the 
Board of the Australasian 
Investor Relations Association.

12 BIll ovenDen
exploration and subsurface
BSc (Hons) (Geology and 
Geophysics)

Bill Ovenden is responsible for 
exploration budget and strategy, 
and ensuring excellence in 
subsurface activities across 
Santos’ upstream programs.

He is a geologist with 30 years 
of experience in the oil and gas 
industry. He has worked on 
exploration projects in Australia, 
Central and South-East Asia, 
North Africa and the Middle 
East, with companies including 
Sun Oil, Kufpec, ExxonMobil 
and Ampolex. He joined Santos 
in 2002 after working for 
ExxonMobil in Indonesia.

Bill is a member of the AAPG, 
SEAPEX and serves on the 
Advisory Board of the Adelaide 
School of Petroleum. 

13 ChRIstIAn pAeCh
general Counsel
LLB (Hons) BCom

Christian Paech advises the 
Santos Board and management 
on legal matters affecting the 
company and its operations. 
He is responsible for Santos’ 
legal function, which supports 
the corporate team and 
the business units in joint 
venture agreements, project 
development, dispute resolution, 
statutory compliance, mergers 
and acquisitions, gas sales and 
production sharing contracts.

Christian has 20 years of legal 
experience and joined Santos in 
2004 after working in national 
and international firms in 
Australia and overseas where 
he focused on large-scale 
corporate transactions and 
corporate governance.

08 RoD DuKe
Downstream gladstone lng
BEng (Hons) Chemical, GradDip 
Management

Rod is responsible for leading 
the downstream activities of the 
Santos GLNG project, including 
the delivery of the GLNG gas 
transmission pipeline and LNG 
plant & port projects, as well 
as ongoing plant operations, 
commercial, LNG marketing and 
production planning for GLNG.

Rod has extensive global 
experience in the LNG industry 
and joined Santos in February 
2013 from Singapore LNG 
Corporation, where he held 
the position of Senior Vice 
President. He has over 29 
years’ international experience 
in project management, 
engineering, construction, 
commissioning, operations, 
commercial, marketing and 
business development areas of 
the upstream natural gas and 
LNG industry.

09 DIAnA hoFF
technical, engineering  
and Innovation
(Magna cum Laude)

Diana Hoff is responsible for 
drilling and completions, major 
projects, surface engineering, 
safety and environment. She has 
more than 25 years of experience 
with major and independent 
operators in the upstream oil and 
gas industry, including Chevron, 
Amoco and Questar.

Diana joined Santos in 2010 as 
General Manager Drilling and 
Completions. Her career has 
included drilling and completions 
operations, engineering and 
management, and production 
management with significant 
focus on regulatory processes, 
including environmental 
approvals, stakeholder 
engagement and mitigations 
to lessen impacts to air quality, 
water quality and surface 
disturbance.

|  9

production 
and sales

 total 2014 

 Total 2013 

Field  
units mmboe

Field  
units mmboe

 total 2014 

 Total 2013 

Field  
units mmboe

Field  
units mmboe

sales gas and ethane (pJ)

lpg (‘000 t)

 2.0 

total sales revenue ($million)

 155 

 63.3 

 10.9 

 61.0 

 10.5 

Cooper 

Cooper 

Carnarvon

Indonesia

Otway

Denison/Scotia/Spring Gully

GLNG

Vietnam

Other

 54.2 

 25.1 

 16.0 

 12.4 

 7.9 

 3.2 

 0.4 

 9.3 

 4.3 

 2.8 

 2.1 

 1.4 

 0.5 

 0.1 

 64.9 

 26.9 

 18.4 

 12.0 

 9.6 

 1.5 

 1.9 

total production

 182.5 

 31.4 

 196.2 

 33.7 

total sales volume 

 207.0 

 35.6 

 210.7 

 36.2 

total sales revenue ($million)

 1,028 

 11.1 

Bayu-Undan

 4.6 

total production

 3.2 

total sales volume 

 1.7 

 0.3 

 0.3 

Crude oil (‘000 bbls)

Cooper 

Vietnam

Fletcher Finucane/ 
Mutineer-Exeter

 1,025 

Stag

Barrow/Thevenard

 34.0 

 16.5 

 50.5 

 5.9 

 2.8 

 8.7 

 0.1 

 16.7 

 16.8 

 - 

 2.9 

 2.9 

Amadeus

Indonesia

PNG

Queensland

 128.4 

 1.1 

 125.7 

 39.0 

 0.3 

 55.9 

 167.4 

 172.6 

 1.4 

 181.6 

 1.5 

 186.8 

 3,230.6 

 3.2   3,104.4 

 2,822.0 

 2.8   2,658.5 

 1,443.6 

 1.5 

 2,167.9 

 1,085.5 

 1.1 

 1,124.3 

 526.7 

 0.5 

 740.7 

 225.6 

 0.2 

 173.1 

 168.2 

 0.2 

 203.1 

 46.5 

 46.0 

 0.1 

 - 

 49.8 

 49.9 

total sales revenue ($million)

 659 

 257 

total sales volume

16,446.1 

 16.4   15,163.4 

 766.5 

 7.3 

 300.5 

 2.9 

total production

 9,594.7 

 9.6   10,271.7 

total sales revenue ($million)

 1,878 

 1,036.9 

 1.0   1,043.0 

 1.0 

totAl

 915.6 

 0.9 

 - 

 - 

production (mmboe)

 695.4 

 0.6 

 967.5 

 0.9 

sales volume (mmboe)

 533.4 

 0.5 

 627.5 

 0.6 

sales revenue ($million)

 54.1 

 63.7 

 4,037 

 1.0 

 0.6 

 1.6 

 1.6 

 176 

 3.1 

 2.7 

 2.2 

 1.1 

 0.7 

 0.2 

 0.2 

 0.1 

 - 

 10.3 

 15.2 

 1,834 

 51.0 

 58.5 

 3,602

sales gas to lng (pJ)

PNG LNG

Darwin LNG

total production

total sales volume  
(‘000 t)

Condensate (‘000 bbls)

Cooper 

PNG LNG

Bayu-Undan

Carnarvon

Amadeus

Other

 - 

 - 

 2.5 

 2.6 

 310

 41.0 

 19.7 

 - 

 - 

 28.4 

 25.4 

total production

 3,242.0 

 3.0   2,691.8 

total sales volume

 3,127.4 

 2.9   2,820.2 

total sales revenue ($million)

 317 

10  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
Reserves  
statement

ReseRves hIghlIghts

 • Year-end 2014 proved (1P) reserves were 622 million barrels of 

oil equivalent, slightly higher than 2013

 • Proved plus probable (2P) reserves were 1,245 mmboe,  

9% lower than 2013

 • 2P Reserves life of 23 years, based on 2014 production of  

54 mmboe

 • GLNG proved reserves up 22% and proved plus probable 

reserves up 4%

 • Gunnedah Basin proved plus probable reserves down 32%

proved reserves  
(mmboe)

646

649

663

620

622

 • 116% organic five-year 1P reserves replacement

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

 • 97% organic five-year 2P reserves replacement

Reserves and 2C contingent resources

proved plus probable reserves  
(mmboe)

Proved

Proved plus 
probable

Contingent 
resources

mmboe

2014

622

2013

620

% 
change

0.3

mmboe

1,245

1,368

(9.0)

mmboe

1,721

1,869

(7.9)

Proved plus probable reserves declined by 123 mmboe in 2014 
(inclusive of 54 mmboe production). This was primarily due to a 62 
mmboe reduction in Gunnedah Basin 2P reserves following a re-
assessment during the year, as advised at the company’s investor 
seminar in November 2014.

Excluding the Gunnedah Basin re-assessment, 2P reserves were 6 
mmboe or 0.5% lower before 2014 production.

The key movements in proved plus probable reserves before 
production were:

 • 18 mmboe addition from growth in GLNG reserves;

 • 18 mmboe net reduction in the Cooper Basin, mainly due  

to a review of production performance and reservoir studies; 
and

 • 10 mmboe reduction in John Brookes due to a re-assessment 

of fuel usage and heating value.

After deducting 2014 production of 54 mmboe, year-end proved 
and probable reserves were 1,245 mmboe, 9% lower than 2013.

1,445

1,364

1,406

1,368

1,245

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Proved plus probable reserves by product

Sales gas

Crude oil

Condensate

LPG

Total

PJ

mmbbl

mmbbl

000t

mmboe

2014

6,450

61

53

3,002

1,245

Proved plus probable reserves by area

Eastern Australia

mmboe

WA&NT

Asia Pacific

Total

mmboe

mmboe

mmboe

2014

795

195

255

1,245

1,368

2013

7,035

70

63

3,510

1,368

2013

877

221

270

% 
change

(8.3)

(12.3)

(15.6)

(14.5)

(9.0)

% 
change

(9.3)

(11.7)

(5.5)

(9.0)

|  11

 
Reserves statement 
continued

Cooper Basin

gunnedah Basin

Proved plus probable reserves by product

santos share

Sales gas

Crude oil

Condensate

LPG

Total

2014

972

26

15

1,791

222

2013

1,108

29

18

2,246

256

% 
change

(12.3)

(12.5)

(18.3)

(20.2)

(13.3)

PJ

mmbbl

mmbbl

000t

mmboe

Sales gas proved plus probable reserves decreased by 7% before 
production, primarily due to a review of production performance 
and reservoir studies and a re-assessment of PEL 106A, partially 
offset by higher gas uplift associated with additional wellhead 
compression.

glng

Santos conducted an exploration and appraisal program within the 
Narrabri Gas Project in the Gunnedah Basin during 2013 and 2014. 
The program provided additional geological and reservoir data.

The incorporation of this new data led to a detailed geological 
and engineering re-evaluation over 2014, including the remapping 
of methane and CO2 content, net gas pay and the revision of 
expected recoverable volumes and ultimately led to a 62 mmboe 
reduction in 2P reserves. 

Further, the contingent resource estimates have also been 
adjusted to incorporate the above re-evaluation and the guidance 
in the 2011 ‘Guidelines for the Application of the Petroleum 
Resource Management System’ relating to the discovery test 
criteria and the extent of any such discovery.

2C Contingent resources

Contingent resources decreased by 8% to approximately 1.7 billion 
barrels oil equivalent.

Reserves and 2C contingent resources

Key movements in contingent resources included:

glng share

Proved

Proved plus 
probable

Contingent 
resources

PJ

PJ

PJ

2014

2,245

2013

1,844

5,603

5,406

% 
change

21.7

3.6

 • 161 mmboe addition from exploration discoveries, including 

Lasseter in the Browse Basin and Cooper Basin 
unconventional;

 • 266 mmboe reduction in the Gunnedah Basin from  

re-assessments and application of SPE-PRMS guidelines;

 • 60 mmboe net reduction due to revisions in Cooper Basin 

1,202

1,374

(12.5)

unconventional and conventional gas; and

 • 25 mmboe addition from a re-assessment of the Browse and 

Bonaparte Basin fields. 

GLNG share proved and proved plus probable reserves increased 
by 427 PJ and 223 PJ respectively before production, primarily due 
to positive re-assessments in the Fairview, Roma and Scotia fields.

In addition to the reserves in the table above, Santos’ share of  
2P reserves in the APLNG-operated Combabula, Ramyard and 
Spring Gully fields was 389 PJ at the end of 2014.

GLNG has also executed the following third party gas supply 
agreements:

 • 750 PJ from Santos over 15 years commencing in 2015;

 • 365 PJ from Origin Energy over 10 years commencing in 2015;

 • Up to 194 PJ from Origin Energy over five years commencing 

in 2016;

 • A combined 85 PJ from two suppliers: one tranche for 10–15 
TJ/day over seven years commencing in 2015 and a second 
tranche for 60–100 TJ/day for 21 months commencing in 
2016; and

 • Up to 445 PJ from the Meridian joint venture over 20 years 

commencing in 2015.

Gas swap arrangements have also been executed with APLNG 
covering a number of fields in Queensland, enabling the more 
efficient development and transport of gas resources.

12  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

proved reserves

Year-end 2014 (Santos share)

Basin/Area

eastern Australia

Surat/Bowen

Cooper/Eromanga

Gunnedah

Gippsland/Otway

total eA

Western Australia & 
northern territory

Carnarvon

Bonaparte

Amadeus

total WA&nt

Asia pacific

Papua New Guinea

Vietnam

Indonesia

total Asia pacific

total 1p

sales gas  
pJ

Crude oil 
mmbbl

Condensate 
mmbbl

lpg  
000 tonnes

Developed undeveloped

total

All products  
mmboe

792

458

186

240

1,676

521

92

35

648

810

17

53

880

3,204

0

9

-

-

9

6

-

4

10

0

9

0

9

28

0

6

-

4

10

6

2

1

9

14

-

0

14

32

-

778

-

310

1,088

-

134

298

432

-

-

-

-

1,520

41

51

8

25

125

67

18

7

93

100

12

9

122

340

95

49

24

23

191

33

1

6

40

52

-

-

52

282

136

100

32

47

316

101

19

13

133

152

12

9

173

622

27%

Proportion of total proved reserves that are unconventional

Proved reserves reconciliation

product

Sales gas (PJ)

Crude oil (mmbbl)

Condensate (mmbbl)

LPG (000 tonnes)

total 1p (mmboe)

Reserves  
Year-end  
2013

3,140

33

36

1,580

620

Revisions and 

production

extensions Discoveries

Commercial- 
isation

(233)

(10)

(3)

(167)

(54)

294

4

(1)

108

55

-

-

-

-

-

2

(0)

(0)

0

0

net 
acquisitions 
and 
divestments

1

-

-

-

0

Reserves  
Year-end  
2014

3,204

28

32

1,520

622

|  13

Reserves statement 
continued

proved plus probable reserves

Year-end 2014 (Santos share)

Basin/Area

sales gas pJ

Crude oil 
mmbbl

Condensate 
mmbbl

lpg 000 
tonnes

Developed undeveloped

total

All products  
mmboe

eastern Australia

Surat/Bowen

Cooper/Eromanga

Gunnedah

Gippsland/Otway

total eA

Western Australia & 
northern territory

Carnarvon

Bonaparte

Amadeus

total WA&nt

Asia pacific

Papua New Guinea

Vietnam

Indonesia

total Asia pacific

total 2p

2,187

972

777

324

4,260

654

112

123

889

1,212

12

76

1,301

6,450

0

26

-

-

26

15

-

8

23

0

12

0

12

61

0

15

-

5

19

7

3

2

13

20

-

0

21

53

-

1,791

-

398

2,189

-

216

597

813

-

-

-

-

3,002

43

120

8

34

205

94

21

24

139

159

14

13

186

530

Proportion of total proved plus probable reserves that are unconventional

Proved plus probable reserves reconciliation

334

101

126

30

591

41

3

12

56

69

-

-

69

716

376

222

134

64

795

135

24

36

195

228

14

13

255

1,245

41%

product

Sales gas (PJ)

Crude oil (mmbbl)

Condensate (mmbbl)

LPG (000 tonnes)

total 2p (mmboe)

Reserves 
Year-end  
2013

7,035

70

63

3,510

1,368

Revisions and 

production

extensions Discoveries

Commercial- 
isation

(233)

(10)

(3)

(167)

(54)

(396)

1

(6)

(341)

(76)

26

0

-

-

5

5

(0)

0

0

1

net 
acquisitions  
and 
divestments

13

-

-

-

2

Reserves 
Year-end  
2014

6,450

61

53

3,002

1,245

14  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
2C Contingent resources

Year-end 2014 (Santos share)

Basin/Area

Eastern Australia

Western Australia & Northern Territory

Asia Pacific

total 2C

2C Contingent resources reconciliation

product

Contingent 
resources 
Year-end  
2013

sales gas  
pJ

Crude oil 
mmbbl

Condensate 
mmbbl

lpg 000 
tonnes

All products 
mmboe

5,202

3,298

297

8,797

35

35

45

115

26

39

2

67

3,446

56

-

3,502

984

639

98

1,721

Revisions and 

production

extensions Discoveries

Commercial- 
isation

net 
acquisitions 
and 
divestments

Contingent 
resources 
Year-end  
2014

total 2C (mmboe)

1,869

-

(308)

161

(1)

0

1,721

notes

1.  This reserves statement:

a.   is based on, and fairly represents, information and 

supporting documentation prepared by, or under the 
supervision of the qualified petroleum reserves and 
resources evaluators listed in note 14 of this reserves 
statement. Details of each qualified petroleum reserves 
and resources evaluator’s employment and professional 
organisation membership are set out in note 14 of this 
reserves statement; and

b.   as a whole has been approved by Barbara Pribyl, who is 
a qualified petroleum reserves and resources evaluator, 
and whose employment and professional organisation 
membership details are set out in note 14 of this 
reserves statement; and

c.   is issued with the prior written consent of Barbara 
Pribyl as to the form and context in which the 
estimated petroleum reserves and contingent resources 
and the supporting information are presented.

2.   The estimates of petroleum reserves and contingent 

resources contained in this reserves statement are as at 31 
December 2014.

3.   Santos prepares its petroleum reserves and contingent 
resources estimates in accordance with the Petroleum 
Resources Management System (PRMS) sponsored by 
the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

4.   All estimates of petroleum reserves and contingent 

resources reported by Santos are prepared by, or under the 
supervision of, a qualified petroleum reserves and resources 
evaluator or evaluators. Processes are documented in the 
Santos Reserves Guidelines, which are overseen by a 
Reserves Committee. The frequency of reviews is 
dependent on the magnitude of the petroleum reserves 
and contingent resources and changes indicated by new 
data. If the changes are material, they are reviewed by the 
Santos internal technical leaders, prior to overall approval 
by management and the Reserves Committee.

5.   Santos engages independent experts Gaffney, Cline & 
Associates, Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and 
DeGolyer and MacNaughton to audit and/or evaluate 
reserves and contingent resources. Each auditor found, 
based on the outcomes of their respective audit and 
evaluation, and their understanding of the estimation 
processes employed by Santos, that Santos’ 31 December 
2014 petroleum reserves and contingent resources 
quantities in aggregate compare reasonably to those 
estimates prepared by each auditor. Thus, in the aggregate, 
the total volumes summarised in the tables included in this 
reserves statement represent a reasonable estimate of 
Santos’ petroleum reserves and contingent resources 
position as at 31 December 2014. 

6.   Unless otherwise stated, all references to petroleum 
reserves and contingent resources quantities in this 
reserves statement are Santos’ net share. 

7. 

 Reference points for Santos’ petroleum reserves and 
contingent resources and production are defined points 
within Santos’ operations where normal exploration and 
production business ceases, and quantities of produced 
product are measured under defined conditions prior to 
custody transfer. Fuel, flare and vent consumed to the 
reference points are excluded. 

8.   Petroleum reserves and contingent resources are 

aggregated by arithmetic summation by category and  
as a result, proved reserves may be a very conservative 
estimate due to the portfolio effects of arithmetic 
summation.

9.   Petroleum reserves and contingent resources are typically 
prepared by deterministic methods with support from 
probabilistic methods.

10.  Any material concentrations of undeveloped petroleum 

reserves that have remained undeveloped for more than  
five years: (a) are intended to be developed when required  
to meet contractual obligations; and (b) have not been 
developed to date because they have not yet been 
required to meet contractual obligations.

11.   Petroleum reserves replacement ratio is the ratio of the 
change in petroleum reserves (excluding production) 
divided by production.

12.  Information on petroleum reserves and contingent 

resources quoted in this reserves statement is rounded to 
the nearest whole number. Some totals in the tables may 
not add due to rounding. Items that round to zero are 
represented by the number 0, while items that are actually 
zero are represented with a dash “-“.

13.  Conversion factors

Sales gas and ethane, 1PJ

LPG, 1 tonne

Condensate, 1 barrel

Crude oil, 1 barrel

171,937 boe

8.458 boe

0.935 boe

1 boe

14. Qualified Petroleum Reserves and Resources Evaluators 

name

employer

professional organisation

B Pribyl

Santos Ltd

SPE

P Lyford

Santos Ltd

SPE

B Camac

Santos Ltd

SPE, PESA 

A Western

Santos Ltd

SPE

W Bard

Santos Ltd

SPE

E Klettke

Santos Ltd

SPE, APEGA

J Ariyaratnam Santos Ltd

SPE

A Wisnugroho Santos Ltd

SPE

J Telford

Santos Ltd

SPE

M Lees

Santos Ltd

SPE

D Smith

NSAI

SPE

  SPE: Society of Petroleum Engineers

 APEGA: The Association of Professional Engineers and 
Geoscientists of Alberta

  PESA: Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia

|  15

 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

2014 GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS 

 • The Directors participated in various site visits and a strategy session

 • Yasmin Allen and Scott Sheffield were appointed as independent non-executive Directors 

 • Santos ranked at the 95th percentile in Corporate Governance in Dow Jones Sustainability Index, Oil and Gas industry sector

 • The Board Charter was amended to include a  Minimum Shareholding Requirement for non-executive Directors in order to 

more closely align their interests with the interests of shareholders

 • The role of the Audit Committee was expanded to include additional responsibilities in relation to risk. The Committee has 

been renamed the Audit & Risk Committee and its Charter has been updated

INTROduCTION 

The Board and Management of Santos believe that for the Company to achieve its vision as a leading energy company for Australia and 
Asia, it must meet the highest standards of personnel safety and environmental performance, governance and business conduct across 
its operations in Australia and internationally. 

The Board has established policies and charters (“Policies”) designed to achieve the highest standards of corporate governance 
within Santos. The Policies, or a summary of the Policies, are publicly available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s 
website, https://www.santos.com/sustainability-at-santos/corporate-governance.aspx, unless otherwise stated below. The Company’s 
Constitution is also available in the Corporate Governance section of the website, along with additional information regarding the 
Company’s corporate governance practices.

The Company’s Policies and corporate governance practices meet the requirements of both the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) 
(“Corporations Act”) and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”). The Policies and corporate governance 
practices comply with best practice, including the 2nd edition of the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Principles and 
Recommendations (“ASX Principles”), except where explained below.

While Santos is not yet required to report against the 3rd edition of the ASX Principles, the Company has commenced the transition 
towards their adoption and will report against the 3rd edition for the 2015 financial year. 

16  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

The table below indicates the sections of this Corporate Governance Statement that address each of the recommendations under the 
3rd edition of the ASX Principles. 

ASX RECOMMENdATIONS

1.1

A listed entity should disclose:

(a)  the respective roles and responsibilities of its board and management; and

(b)  those matters expressly reserved to the board and those delegated to management.

1.2

A listed entity should:

(a) 

 undertake appropriate checks before appointing a person, or putting forward to 
security holders a candidate for election, as a director; and

(b)   provide security holders with all material information in its possession relevant to a 

decision on whether or not to elect or re-elect a director.

A listed entity should have a written agreement with each director and senior executive 
setting out the terms of their appointment.

The company secretary of a listed entity should be accountable directly to the board, 
through the chair, on all matters to do with the proper functioning of the board.

A listed entity should:

1.3

1.4

1.5

REFERENCE

Section 2.1

Section 1.3

Section 1.4

Section 2.1

Section 5.1

(a) 

 have a diversity policy which includes requirements for the board or a relevant 
committee of the board to set measurable objectives for achieving gender diversity 
and to assess annually both the objectives and the entity’s progress in achieving them;

(b)  disclose that policy or a summary of it; and

(c) 

 disclose as at the end of each reporting period the measurable objectives for 
achieving gender diversity set by the board or a relevant committee of the board in 
accordance with the entity’s diversity policy and its progress towards achieving them, 
and either:

1. 

2. 

 the respective proportions of men and women on the board, in senior executive 
positions and across the whole organisation (including how the entity has defined 
“senior executive” for these purposes); or

 if the entity is a “relevant employer” under the Workplace Gender Equality Act, 
the entity’s most recent “Gender Equality Indicators”, as defined in and published 
under that Act.

n/a

1.6

A listed entity should:

Sections 1.5 and 3.1

(a)    have and disclose a process for periodically evaluating the performance of the board, 

its committees and individual directors; and

(b)    disclose, in relation to each reporting period, whether a performance evaluation was 

undertaken in the reporting period in accordance with that process.

1.7

A listed entity should:

Section 2.1

(a)    have and disclose a process for periodically evaluating the performance of its senior 

executives; and

(b)    disclose, in relation to each reporting period, whether a performance evaluation was 

undertaken in the reporting period in accordance with that process.

|  17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement 
continued

2.1

The board of a listed entity should:

Sections 1.3 and 3.1 - 3.3 

(a)   have a nomination committee which:

1.   has at least three members, a majority of whom are independent directors; and

2.  

is chaired by an independent director, and disclose:

3.  

the charter of the committee;

4.  

the members of the committee; and

5.  

 as at the end of each reporting period, the number of times the committee met 
throughout the period and the individual attendances of the members at those 
meetings; or

(b)    if it does not have a nomination committee, disclose that fact and the processes it 
employs to address board succession issues and to ensure that the board has the 
appropriate balance of skills, knowledge, experience, independence and diversity to 
enable it to discharge its duties and responsibilities effectively.

n/a.

A listed entity should have and disclose a board skills matrix setting out the mix of skills and 
diversity that the board currently has or is looking to achieve in its membership.

Section 1.2

A listed entity should disclose:

(a)   the names of the directors considered by the board to be independent directors;

(b)    if a director has an interest, position, association or relationship of the type described 
in Box 2.3 of the ASX Principles (“Factors relevant to assessing the independence 
of a director”), but the board is of the opinion that it does not compromise the 
independence of the director, the nature of the interest, position, association or 
relationship in question and an explanation of why the board is of that opinion; and

(c)   the length of service of each director.

A majority of the board of a listed entity should be independent directors. 

The chair of the board of a listed entity should be an independent director and, in particular, 
should not be the same person as the chief executive officer of the entity.

A listed entity should have a program for inducting new directors and provide appropriate 
professional development opportunities for directors to develop and maintain the skills and 
knowledge needed to perform their role as directors effectively.

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

3.1

A listed entity should:

(a)   have a code of conduct for its directors, senior executives and employees; and

(b)   disclose that code or a summary of it.

4.1

The board of a listed entity should:

(a)   have an audit committee which:

1.  

 has at least three members, all of whom are non-executive Directors and a 
majority of whom are independent directors; and

2.  

is chaired by an independent director, who is not the chair of the board, 

Sections 1.1-1.2 and pages 6  
and 7 of the Annual Report

Section 1.1

Section 1.1

Section 1.4

Section 5.2

Sections 3.1-3.3 

and disclose:

3.  

the charter of the committee;

See http://www.santos.com/
library/Audit-Risk-Committee-
Charter-22-October-2014.pdf 

4.  

the relevant qualifications and experience of the members of the committee; and

5.  

 in relation to each reporting period, the number of times the committee met 
throughout the period and the individual attendances of the members at those 
meetings; or

(b)    if it does not have an audit committee, disclose that fact and the processes it employs 

n/a

that independently verify and safeguard the integrity of its corporate reporting, 
including the processes for the appointment and removal of the external auditor and 
the rotation of the audit engagement partner.

18  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.2

4.3

The board of a listed entity should, before it approves the entity’s financial statements 
for a financial period, receive from its chief executive officer and chief financial officer a 
declaration that, in their opinion, the financial records of the entity have been properly 
maintained and that the financial statements comply with the appropriate accounting 
standards and give a true and fair view of the financial position and performance of 
the entity and that the opinion has been formed on the basis of a sound system of risk 
management and internal control which is operating effectively.

A listed entity that has an annual general meeting should ensure that its external auditor 
attends its annual general meeting and is available to answer questions from security 
holders relevant to the audit.

5.1

A listed entity should:

Section 4.2

Section 5.4

Section 5.4 

(a)    have a written policy for complying with its continuous disclosure obligations under 

6.1

6.2

6.3

6.4

7.1

the Listing Rules; and

(b)   disclose that code or a summary of it.

A listed entity should provide information about itself and its governance to investors via its 
website.

See http://www.santos.com/
sustainability-at-santos/
corporate-governance.aspx

See http://www.santos.com/
sustainability-at-santos/
corporate-governance.aspx

A listed entity should design and implement an investor relations program to facilitate 
effective two-way communication with investors.

A listed entity should disclose the policies and processes it has in place to facilitate and 
encourage participation at meetings of security holders.

Section 5.4

Section 5.4

A listed entity should give security holders the option to receive communications from, and 
send communications to, the entity and its security registry electronically.

Section 5.4

The board of a listed entity should:

Sections 3.1-3.3 

(a)   have a committee or committees to oversee risk, each of which:

1.   has at least three members, a majority of whom are independent directors; and

2.  

is chaired by an independent director,

and disclose:

3.  

the charter of the committee;

4.  

the members of the committee; and

See http://www.santos.com/
library/Audit-Risk-Committee-
Charter-22-October-2014.pdf 

5.  

 as at the end of each reporting period, the number of times the committee met 
throughout the period and the individual attendances of the members at those 
meetings; or

(b)    if it does not have a risk committee or committees that satisfy a) above, disclose 

n/a

that fact and the processes it employs for overseeing the entity’s risk management 
framework.

7.2

The board or a committee of the board should:

Sections 4.1- 4.3

(a)    review the entity’s risk management framework at least annually to satisfy itself that it 

continues to be sound; and

(b)   disclose, in relation to each reporting period, whether such a review has taken place.

7.3

A listed entity should disclose:

Section 4.1

(a)    if it has an internal audit function, how the function is structured and what role it 

performs; or

(b)    if it does not have an internal audit function, that fact and the processes it employs 

n/a

for evaluating and continually improving the effectiveness of its risk management and 
internal control processes.

|  19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement 
continued

7.4

A listed entity should disclose whether it has any material exposure to economic, 
environmental and social sustainability risks and, if it does, how it manages or intends to 
manage those risks.

Section 4.3 and pages 41–48  
of the Annual Report

8.1

The board of a listed entity should:

Sections 3.1- 3.3 

(a)   have a remuneration committee which:

1.   has at least three members, a majority of whom are independent directors; and

2.  

is chaired by an independent director, and disclose:

3.  

the charter of the committee;

4.  

the members of the committee; and

5.  

 as at the end of each reporting period, the number of times the committee met 
throughout the period and the individual attendances of the members at those 
meetings; or

See http://www.santos.com/
sustainability-at-santos/
corporate-governance/
committees-of-the-board.aspx  

(b)    if it does not have a remuneration committee, disclose that fact and the processes it 

n/a

employs for setting the level and composition of remuneration for directors and senior 
executives and ensuring that such remuneration is appropriate and not excessive.

8.2

A listed entity should separately disclose its policies and practices regarding the 
remuneration of non-executive Directors and the remuneration of executive directors and 
other senior executives.

8.3

A listed entity should disclose:

Section 2.1

Section 5.3 

(a)    have a policy on whether participants are permitted to enter into transactions 

(whether through the use of derivatives or otherwise) which limit the economic risk of 
participating in the scheme; and

(b)   disclose that policy or a summary of it.

See: http://www.santos.com/
library/Securities_trading_
policy_Dec_2010.pdf

20  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART 1: COMPOSITION OF THE 
BOARd 

Relevant policies and charters 

See www.santos.com 

 • Board Charter 

 • Company Constitution 

1.1  director independence 

The Board assesses the independence 
of each Director, having regard to the 
definition of independence set out in the 
ASX Principles. 

Consistent with this definition, the Board 
generally considers a Director to be 
independent if he or she is not a member 
of Management and is free of any interest 
and any business or other relationship 
which could, or could reasonably be 
perceived to, materially interfere with the 
Director’s ability to act in the best interests 
of the Company. The Board will assess the 
materiality of any given relationship that 
may affect independence on a case-by-
case basis and has adopted materiality 
guidelines to assist in that assessment. 

Under these guidelines, the following 
interests are regarded as material in the 
absence of any mitigating factors: 

 • a holding of 5% or more of the 

Company’s voting shares or a direct 
association with an entity that holds 
more than 5% of the Company’s 
voting shares; or 

 • an affiliation with an entity that 
accounts for 5% or more of the 
revenue or expense of the Company. 

Each Director’s independence is assessed 
by the Board on an individual basis, 
with reference to the above materiality 
guidelines and focusing on an assessment 
of each Director’s capacity to bring 
independence of judgement to Board 
decisions. In this context, Directors are 
required to make prompt disclosure to 
the Board of any changes in interests 
in contracts, family ties and cross-
directorships that may be relevant in 
considering their independence. 

Directors must declare any conflict of 
interest that they may have at the start 
of all Board meetings. Where a material 
personal interest arises with respect to 
a matter that is to be considered by the 
Board, the Director is required to declare 
that interest and must not take part in any 
Board discussion or vote in relation to that 
matter, unless permitted in accordance with 
the Corporations Act.

In 2013, the Board reviewed the tenure 
provisions in the Board Charter and 
inserted a guideline that the expected 
tenure of a non-executive Director would 

be between six and nine years. This 
guideline applies flexibly and it is expected 
that some non-executive Directors may 
remain in office for longer periods where 
appropriate, for instance to maintain the 
desired mix of skills and experience on the 
Board. While Ken Dean and Roy Franklin 
have been in office since 2005 and 2006, 
respectively, the Board believes that 
their skills and experience enable them to 
continue to provide valuable contributions 
to the Board. The Board is satisfied that 
both Directors exercise rigorous and 
objective judgement and that they remain 
independent.

Total Directors: 10

 • Nine independent  

Non-executive Directors

 • One Executive Director  
(Managing Director)

Currently, the Board comprises nine 
non-executive Directors (including the 
Chairman), all of who are considered 
independent under the principles set out 
above, and one executive Director (the 
Managing Director). With the exception 
of the Managing Director, no Director may 
hold office without re-election beyond the 
third Annual General Meeting following the 
meeting at which the Director was  
last elected or re-elected. 

|  21

Corporate Governance Statement 
continued

1.2  Board capabilities 

In determining the composition of the Board, consideration is given to the optimal mix of background, skills and experience that will 
position the Board to guide the Company. As the needs of the Board are dynamic, these skills and experiences may change over time. 

The following diagram shows how the Company’s programs and systems (described in further detail in Sections 1.3–1.5) support Santos 
in building an effective Board, with the breadth and depth of background, skills and experience necessary to guide the Company’s 
strategic growth plans.

dEFINING REQuIREd SKILLS  
ANd EXPERIENCE

IdENTIFYING AREAS FOR 
FuRTHER dEVELOPMENT

IMPROVING BOARd 
EFFECTIVENESS

In order to ensure that the skills and 
experience available on the Board 
align with Santos’ goals and strategy 
the Board considers:

 • Current business plan and 

operations; and

Areas for further development, 
and skills & experience that would 
complement existing skills & 
experience, are identified by:

 • Board performance review to 
assess current capabilities; and

 • Future growth plans. 

 • Nomination Committee 

consideration of succession 
planning.

Steps taken to improve Board 
effectiveness include:

 • Development and site visits to 
enhance board effectiveness; 
and

 • Recruitment of new Directors  
to complement existing Board 
capabilities.

KEY ACTIONS IN 2014

 • Ongoing review; and

 • Strategic planning meeting.

 • Internal review commenced  
in late 2013, completed in 
February 2014; and

 • Internal review identified  

a need for Board succession  
as a number of directors had 
held office for an extended 
period of time.

 • Site visits to Roma, Fairview, 

Gladstone and Port Bonython;

 • Board meetings in various 
locations including Perth,  
Sydney and Gladstone;

 • Appointment of Mr Scott 
Douglas Sheffield on  
14 May 2014; and

 • Appointment of Ms Yasmin  

Anita Allen on 22 October 2014.

The framework for the Nomination Committee’s ongoing consideration of Board composition, as specified in the Board Charter, is that 
Directors should be appointed primarily based on their capacity to contribute to the Company’s development, and the Board should 
include at least some members with experience in the upstream oil and gas and/or resources industries.

In 2014, the Board comprised Directors from diverse backgrounds with a range of business experience, skills and attributes. 

The tables and charts on the following pages demonstrate the skills, experience and diversity of the Directors in office at the end of 
2014 across several dimensions that are relevant to Santos as a leading energy Company.

22  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

SKILLS ANd EXPERIENCE OF dIRECTORS

Composition of skills and experience of the Board (out of 10)

Management and leadership 

Financial/business qualifications

Senior management positions held outside Santos  
(past and present)

Directorships held outside Santos (past and present)

International experience

Global 

ASIA Pacific

Governance and regulatory

Membership of governance or regulatory bodies (past or 
present)

10

10

10

9

4

Tertiary business qualification including post-graduate 
business studies and CA or CPA

Position held on financial bodies and councils (past or 
present)

Health, safety and environment

Experience managing health, safety and environment issues 
in a large organisation

Resources experience and education

Mining or minerals experience

Oil and gas experience

Experience in governance of a complex organisation

10

Infrastructure experience

Strategy

Mergers and acquisitions experience

Experience in growing a business

Experience in implementing capital projects

8

9

8

Tertiary engineering or science background

Positions held on industry-related bodies (past or present) 
or membership of professional industry-related bodies

Risk management

Background in risk-focused positions e.g. CFO or auditor 
(past or present) 

4

2

7

6

8

5

7

8

3

The names and details of the experience, qualifications, special responsibilities (including Committee memberships), and term of office of 
each Director of the Company and the Company Secretary can be found on pages 6–9 of the Annual Report. 

TERTIARY 
QuALIFICATIONS 

INduSTRY  
EXPERIENCE 

RESIdENCY 

GENdER 

Engineering

Mergers and acquisitions

Experience in growing a business

Experience in implementing  
capital projects

Australia

China

North America

Men

Women

Finance

Law

Science

Mining or minerals experience

United Kingdom

Oil and gas experience

Infrastructure experience

Tertiary engineering  
or science background

Positions held on industry-related 
bodies (past or present) or 
membership of professional 
industry-related projects

|  23

Corporate Governance Statement 
continued

1.3   director selection and  
succession planning 

The Board renewal process is overseen by 
the Nomination Committee and involves 
regularly reviewing the composition of the 
Board to ensure that the Directors bring to 
the table an appropriate mix of experience, 
skills and backgrounds relevant to the 
management of a leading energy company. 

In making recommendations relating 
to Board composition, the Nomination 
Committee takes into account both the 
current and future needs of the Company. 
The Nomination Committee specifically 
considers each of the Directors coming up 
for re-election and makes an assessment 
as to whether to recommend their 
re-appointment to shareholders. This 
assessment considers matters including 
their contribution to the Board, the results 
of Board and Committee reviews, and 
the ongoing needs of the Company. The 
Committee also takes into account the 
succession plans of the Directors more 
broadly. 

Where a potential ‘gap’ is identified in the 
backgrounds, experiences or skill sets that 
are considered desirable, or necessary, 
for the Board’s continued effectiveness, 
this information is used as the basis for 
selection of new Director candidates.

The Nomination Committee is responsible 
for defining the desired attributes and 
skill-sets for a new Director. The services 
of an independent consultant are then 
used where appropriate to assist in the 
identification and assessment of a range 
of potential candidates based on a brief 
from the Nomination Committee. The 
Nomination Committee reviews prospective 
candidates and arranges for appropriate 

background checks to be undertaken,  
then makes recommendations to the  
Board regarding possible appointments  
of Directors, including recommendations  
for appointments to Committees. 

When candidates are submitted to 
shareholders for election or re-election,  
the Company includes in the Notice of 
Meeting all information in its possession 
that is material to the decision whether  
to elect or re-elect the candidate. 

1.4   director induction and  

continuing education 

Prior to appointment, each non-executive 
Director is provided with a letter of 
appointment that sets out the terms of 
their appointment and includes copies of 
the Company’s Constitution, Board Charter, 
Committee Charters, relevant policies and 
functional overviews of the Company’s 
strategic objectives and operations. The 
expectations of the Board in respect of a 
proposed appointee to the Board and the 
workings of the Board and its Committees 
are also conveyed in interviews with the 
Chairman. Induction procedures include site 
visits and access to appropriate executives 
in relation to details of the business of the 
Company.

The existing practices of providing new 
non-executive Directors with a formal letter 
of appointment setting out their rights, 
duties and responsibilities and ensuring that 
they receive a comprehensive induction 
program, including business briefings by 
Management and site visits, is explicitly 
recognised in the Board Charter.

The Managing Director and other Senior 
Executives are employed under separate 
employment agreements, which set out 
their rights, duties and responsibilities.

Directors are encouraged by the Board to 
continue their education by attending both 
internal and external training and education 
relevant to their role. 

director site visits in 2014 to  
Roma, Fairview, Gladstone and  
Port Bonython.

During 2014, Directors attended site  
visits to Roma, Fairview, Gladstone  
and Port Bonython. In addition, Board 
meetings were held at various Santos 
offices and sites including in Adelaide, 
Sydney, Perth and Gladstone, providing 
further opportunity for familiarisation  
with each location’s operations and 
personnel, and presentations from the  
local management team.

1.5   Review of Board, Board 

Committees and director 
performance 

As specified in the Board Charter, reviews 
of Board, Committee and individual Director 
performance are conducted annually. At 
least once every three years, the annual 
review of the Board, Committees and 
individual Directors is carried out by an 
independent consultant. The scope of the 
external review is agreed in advance with 
the Board. Internal reviews are facilitated 
by the Chairman, in consultation with 
the Nomination Committee, and involve 
questionnaires and formal interviews with 
each Director culminating in a written 
report prepared by the Chairman. Where 
the review relates to the performance of 
the Chairman, the two senior independent 
non-executive Directors conduct the 
review. 

24  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
Internal Board review process

Implement initiatives to 
improve Board effectiveness

Feedback from Directors 
and review of individual 
Director performance

INTERNAL BOARD
REVIEW

Review performance, structure, 
objectives and the purpose 
of Board Committees

Feedback from 
Senior Executives

An internal Board review was conducted in late 2013/early 2014 in accordance with the process outlined in this Section. The review 
included an assessment of the performance of individual Directors including the Chairman and examined the workings, performance and 
effectiveness of the Board and the Board’s Committees. In undertaking the review, one-on-one interviews were conducted with each 
member of the Board and members of the Company’s Senior Leadership Team who interact regularly with the Board. 

A key aspect of this review was to focus on Board succession, as a number of Board members have held office for some time.  
The review:

 • assessed the mix of skills, experience and personalities currently represented on the Board;

 • considered the optimal mix of skills, experience and personalities that the Board may desire over the medium-term given the 

Company’s current plans; and

 • made recommendations for Board succession planning over the medium term.

As a result of the Board’s review two independent non-executive Director appointments were made in 2014, Mr Scott Douglas Sheffield 
and Ms Yasmin Anita Allen.

|  25

Corporate Governance Statement 
continued

PART 2: BOARd RESPONSIBILITIES 

Management implements sound strategies 
and develops an integrated framework of 
risk management and control. 

their duties and to prepare for Board 
and Committee meetings and associated 
activities. 

Relevant policies and charters 

2.1   Responsibilities 

See www.santos.com 

 • Board Charter 

The Board Charter was last updated 
in August 2014. The Board’s overriding 
objective is defined in the Board Charter 
as “to safely and sustainably increase 
shareholder value within a business 
framework, which protects shareholders’ 
interests”. The Board seeks to ensure that 

The Board is responsible for the overall 
corporate governance of the Company, 
including approving the strategic direction 
and financial objectives, oversight 
of the performance and operations 
of the Company, establishing goals 
for Management and monitoring the 
attainment of these goals.

Each Director is required to ensure they are 
able to devote sufficient time to discharge 

The Board Charter confirms that  
the Company Secretary, through the 
Chairman, is accountable to the Board  
for the effectiveness of corporate 
governance processes, ensuring adherence 
to the Board’s principles and procedures 
and coordinating all Board business. 
All Directors have direct access to the 
Company Secretary and the Company 
Secretary has a direct reporting line to  
the Chairman. 

The Board is responsible for:

 • overseeing the Company’s strategic direction and 

 • approving ethical standards and Codes of Conduct; 

management of the Company; 

 • approving the annual capital and operating budget;

 • approving delegations of authority to Management; 

 • approving significant acquisitions and disposals of 

assets; 

 • approving significant expenditure decisions outside of 

the Board-approved corporate budget; 

 • selection, evaluating and succession planning for 
Directors, the CEO and Company Secretary and 
generally endorsing the same for the CEO’s direct 
reports; 

 • setting the remuneration of Directors and the CEO and 
generally endorsing of the same for the CEO’s direct 
reports; and

 • overseeing the integrity of risk management processes 

 • approving and monitoring financial performance against 

and systems.

strategic plans and corporate budgets; 

delegation of Authority

The Board delegates management of the Company’s resources to the Company’s executive management team under the 
leadership of the CEO to deliver the strategic direction and goals approved by the Board. This is formally documented in the 
Company’s Delegation of Authority.

Responsibilities delegated by the Board to Management:

 • the conduct and operation of the Company’s business in the ordinary course;

 • implementing corporate strategies; and

 • operating under approved budgets and written Delegations of Authority.

26  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

The Company’s Delegation of Authority has 
previously been the subject of an extensive 
review and a substantially restructured, 
simplified and updated version was adopted 
in June 2012. The Delegation of Authority 
incorporates increased accountability for 
personnel exercising delegated authority 
and continued to be applied rigorously by 
the Company in 2014. 

Performance evaluation of Senior 
Executives is regularly undertaken (usually 
twice a year) by the Managing Director. 
The Chairman undertakes the Managing 
Director’s annual review. 

The results of these reviews are used in 
determining succession plans, performance 
and development plans and future 
remuneration in consultation with the 
People and Remuneration Committee, and 
generally for review by the Board in relation 
to Management succession planning. 

Performance reviews were conducted 
during the year in accordance with this 
process for each of the Senior Executives, 
including the Managing Director. These 

reviews impacted on the short-term 
incentives for the Senior Executives and 
included the following criteria: 

2.2   Access to information  
and independent  
professional advice 

 • analysing performance against agreed 

measures; 

 • examining the effectiveness and quality 
of the individual in their given role; 

 • assessing key contributions; 

 • identifying areas of potential 

improvement; and 

 • assessing whether expectations of 

shareholders and other stakeholders 
have been met. 

Details of the remuneration received by the 
Managing Director and Senior Executives, 
including short-and long-term incentives, 
relating to Company and individual 
performance targets, are set out in the 
Remuneration Report commencing on page 
52 of the Annual Report. Details of non-
executive Director remuneration are also 
set out in the Remuneration Report.

The Board Charter sets out the 
circumstances and procedures pursuant 
to which a Director may seek independent 
professional advice at the Company’s 
expense. Those procedures require prior 
consultation with, and approval by, the 
Chairman and assurances as to the 
qualifications and reasonableness of the 
fees of the relevant adviser. A copy of the 
advice and letter of instruction is usually 
required to be provided to the Board. 

Pursuant to a deed executed by the 
Company and each Director, a Director 
also has the right to access all documents 
that have been presented to meetings 
of the Board or to any Committee of the 
Board or otherwise made available to the 
Director while in office. This right continues 
for a term of seven years after ceasing to 
be a Director, or such longer period as is 
necessary to determine any relevant legal 
proceedings that commenced during that 
term. Information in respect of indemnity 
and insurance arrangements for Directors 
and certain Senior Executives appears in 
the Directors’ Report on page 74 of the 
Annual Report. 

|  27

Corporate Governance Statement 
continued

PART 3: BOARd COMMITTEES 

Relevant policies and charters 

See www.santos.com 

 • Audit & Risk Committee 

Charter 

 • Environment, Health, Safety 
and Sustainability Committee 
Charter 

 • Finance Committee Charter 

 • Nomination Committee Charter 

 • People and Remuneration 
Committee Charter 

3.1  Role and membership 

The Board has established a number of 
Committees to assist with the effective 
discharge of its duties. The role of each 
Committee is set out in Section 3.3. 

All Committees are chaired by and comprise 
only independent non-executive Directors, 
except the Environment, Health, Safety 
and Sustainability Committee, which 
includes the Managing Director as a 
member in accordance with the Charter 
of that Committee. Other composition 
requirements specific to each Committee 
are set out in Section 3.1. Non-Committee 
members may attend Committee meetings 
by invitation. 

Each Committee operates under a specific 
charter approved by the Board. 

Board Committees conduct their own 
internal review of their performance, 
structure, objectives and purpose from time 
to time. In 2014, the Audit Committee’s 
responsibilities were expanded to include 
additional responsibilities in relation to 
risk and a revised Charter was adopted in 
October 2014, following a review by that 
Committee. The Committee was renamed 
the ‘Audit & Risk Committee’ in light of its 
expanded role. 

Prior to the change to the Audit & 
Risk Committee’s Charter each of the 
Board’s other Committees exercised 
oversight of risk in their respective 
areas including environmental, health, 
safety and sustainability risk (EHSS 
Committee), financial, funding and capital 
management risk (Finance Committee) 
and organisational, human resource and 
related risks (People and Remuneration 
Committee). While those Committees 
continue to exercise oversight in their 
respective areas, the Audit & Risk 
Committee has overarching oversight  
in relation to risk as a whole.

Board Committees have access to internal 
and external resources, including access 
to advice from independent external 
consultants or specialists.

The Chairman of each Committee provides 
an oral, and, where appropriate and 
practicable, a written report together with 
the minutes and recommendations of the 
Committee at the next Board meeting. 

Following is a summary of the membership of the Board Committees. 

Board Committee membership

Environment, 
Health, 
Safety and 
Sustainability 
Committee1 

Audit & Risk 
Committee 

Finance 
Committee 

Nomination 
Committee1 

People and 
Remuneration 
Committee 

Member 

Chairman 

Member

KC Borda

Non-executive Director 
(Chairman)

PR Coates2

Non-executive Director 

Member

KA Dean 

Non-executive Director  Member

Member 

Member 

Member

RA Franklin

Non-executive Director 

DJW Knox 

Executive Director 
(Managing Director) 

Chairman 

Member 

GJW Martin

Non-executive Director  Member

Chairman

JS Hemstrich Non-executive Director  Chairperson

H Goh3

Non-executive Director Member

Member

SD Sheffield4 Non-executive Director

Member 

YA Allen5

Non-executive Director

Member

Member

Chairman 

Member 

Notes:

1. 

 Mr RM Harding ceased to be a member of the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee and the Nomination Committee upon his retirement at the 2014 Annual General 
Meeting held on 16 May 2014.

2.  Mr PR Coates was appointed as a member of the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee on 14 May 2014.

3.  Mr H Goh was appointed as a member of the Audit & Risk Committee on 22 October 2014.

4.  Mr SD Sheffield was appointed as a member of the Finance Committee on 14 May 2014.

5.  Ms YA Allen was appointed as a member of the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee on 22 October 2014.

28  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
Following are details of the membership requirements of each Committee, as outlined in each Committee’s Charter. The Board reviews 
Committee membership on at least an annual basis and believes that each Committee’s membership currently satisfies the membership 
requirements. Details of the qualifications and experience of each Director can be found on pages 6–7 of the Annual Report.

Board Committee

Audit & Risk Committee

Membership Requirements

 • At least three independent non-executive Directors 

Environment, Health, Safety  
and Sustainability Committee

Finance Committee

 • Collectively the members, will have sufficient accounting and financial 
expertise and understanding of the oil & gas industry, to be able to 
discharge the Audit & Risk Committee’s responsibilities

 • At least one member who is also a member of the EHSS Committee

 • To be chaired by an independent non-executive Director who is not the 

Chairman of the Board.

 • At least three independent non-executive Directors and the Managing 

Director.

 • At least three independent non-executive Directors who are financially 

literate and at least one will have past employment experience in finance, 
requisite professional certification or other comparable experience or 
background which results in the individual’s financial sophistication.

Nomination Committee

 • At least three independent non-executive Directors, chaired by the 

Chairman of the Board.

People and Remuneration Committee

 • At least three independent non-executive Directors, including the Chairman 

of the Board.

3.2  Board and Committee meetings 

In 2014, a total of 10 Board meetings were 
held, including a strategy meeting. This 
exceeded the minimum requirements set 
out in the Board Charter. In addition to 
formal meetings, the Directors participated 
in a site visit to Roma, Fairview and 
Gladstone in June 2014 and the EHSS 
Committee participated in a site visit to 
Port Bonython in May 2014.

Members of Management attend relevant 
parts of Board and Committee meetings, 
at which they report to Directors within 
their respective areas of responsibility. 
Where appropriate, advisers to the 
Company attend meetings of the Board 
and of its Committees. Board meetings 
regularly include a session at which the 
non-executive Directors meet without the 
Managing Director or other members of 
Management present.

Details of the Board and Committee 
meetings held and Directors’ attendances 
at those meetings appear in the Directors’ 
Report on page 38 of the Annual Report. 

3.3  Role and activities of committees 

Audit & Risk Committee

In 2014, the Audit Committee’s role was 
expanded to include oversight of the 
Company’s risk management and internal 

control framework and as a result it was 
renamed the ‘Audit & Risk Committee’.  
The Audit & Risk Committee assists the 
Board to meet its oversight responsibilities 
by reviewing, reporting and making 
recommendations in relation to financial 
reporting, enterprise risk management, 
internal control systems, the internal and 
external audit functions and reserves and 
resources reporting. 

During 2014, the Audit & Risk Committee 
met with the external auditor, Ernst & 
Young, without Management present, after 
each Audit & Risk Committee meeting.

The qualifications and experience of the 
members of the Audit & Risk Committee 
are set out on pages 6–7 of the Annual 
Report.

Finance Committee

The role of the Finance Committee 
includes: 

 • responsibility for considering and 

Environment, Health, Safety and 
Sustainability Committee

The role of the Environment, Health, Safety 
and Sustainability (EHSS) Committee 
includes: 

 • monitoring and review of the 

Environment, Health and Safety and 
Sustainability policies and related 
systems and their compliance with all 
applicable environment, health and 
safety legislation; 

 • monitoring and review of all aspects  

of environment, and health and safety 
risks, which are relevant to the 
Company’s operations; 

 • receipt and consideration of reports on 
all major changes to the Company’s 
environment and health and safety 
responsibilities; 

 • receipt and consideration of reports on 
any significant system failure, accident 
or other incident; 

making recommendations to the Board 
on the Company’s capital management 
strategy and the Company’s funding 
requirements and specific funding 
proposals; 

 • review of the regular internal and 

external environmental, health and 
safety audits; and

 • monitoring and reviewing the 

 • formulating and monitoring compliance 
with treasury policies and practices; and

 • the management of credit, liquidity and 

commodity market risks.

appropriateness and implementation  
of the Company’s environment, health, 
safety and sustainability governance 
arrangements.

|  29

 
Corporate Governance Statement 
continued

During 2014 the Committee reviewed the 
EHS performance of each of the Business 
Units and the Drilling and Completions 
department.

In May 2014, the committee held the 
Directors’ EHS Awards for recognising 
outstanding EHS performance and 
innovation, from a total pool of 59 
submissions received. The Committee 
also conducted a field trip to Santos’ Port 
Bonython facility near Whyalla, South 
Australia where it was able to discuss and 
observe some of the key EHS and Process 
Safety programs in place while also being 
able to observe a strong EHS culture and 
commitment from local management. 

Areas of focus for the Nomination 
Committee in 2014 included Board renewal, 
as a number of Directors were in their third 
term, and enhancing gender diversity on 
the Board. 

As a result, during 2014, the Nomination 
Committee oversaw the search for two 
new independent non-executive Directors 
and recommended the final candidates 
to the Board for approval, resulting in 
the appointments of Mr Scott Douglas 
Sheffield on 24 February 2014 and Ms 
Yasmin Anita Allen on 22 October 2014. 
These appointments enhance the skills, 
experience and diversity represented on 
the Board. 

Nomination Committee

People and Remuneration Committee

It is the responsibility of the Nomination 
Committee to devise the criteria for, and 
review membership of the Board–including 
the re-election of incumbent Directors 
and nominations for new appointments, to 
maintain an appropriate balance of skills, 
experience, diversity and expertise on the 
Board. 

When a Board vacancy exists or where 
it is considered that the Board would 
benefit from the services of a new 
Director with particular skills, experience 
or background, the Nomination Committee 
has responsibility for proposing candidates 
for consideration by the Board. 

The People and Remuneration  
Committee is responsible for reviewing  
the remuneration policies and practices  
of the Company including: 

 • the compensation arrangements for 
the Non-executive and Executive 
Directors (including the Managing 
Director), and Senior Leadership Team; 

 • development and succession plans  

for the Managing Director and Senior 
Leadership Team; 

 • the Company’s superannuation 

arrangements; 

 • employee share and option plans;

 • reviewing and reporting to the Board 

on measurable objectives for achieving 
gender diversity;

 • an annual assessment of the gender 

diversity objectives and progress in 
achieving them; and

 • reviewing and reporting on 

remuneration analysed by gender. 

In 2014, the Committee oversaw the 
implementation of various changes to the 
Short-Term Incentive (STI) and Long-Term 
Incentive (LTI) programs including the 
deferral of a 30% portion of STI awards to 
senior executives and the extension of the 
LTI performance period from three years to 
four years.

The Committee has access to, and 
regularly uses, independent advice and 
comparative studies on the appropriateness 
of remuneration arrangements. Further 
details of 2014 activities are set out in the 
Remuneration report commencing on page 
52 of the Annual Report.

The structure and details of, and policies and 
strategy in relation to, the remuneration paid 
to non-executive Directors, the Managing 
Director and other Senior Executives during 
the period are set out in the Remuneration 
Report commencing on page 52 of the 
Annual Report and notes 29 and 30 to the 
financial statements commencing on page 
128 of the Annual Report. 

30  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

PART 4: RISK MANAGEMENT 

Relevant policies and charters 

See www.santos.com 

 • Board Charter 

 • Audit & Risk Committee 

Charter

 • Risk Management Policy 

4.1  Risk management systems

The Board is responsible, with the 
assistance of the Audit & Risk Committee, 
for overseeing the implementation 
of, and ensuring there are adequate 
policies in relation to, the Company’s risk 
management and internal compliance 
and control systems. These systems 
require Management to be responsible for 
identifying and managing the risks that may 
have a material impact on the Company’s 
objectives, and to review the systems if 
any irregularity or inadequacy becomes 
apparent. These risks include financial, non-
financial and operational risks impacting 
areas such as project delivery, production, 
reputation, environment and safety, 
exploration and investment. 

The Board Charter specifies that risk 
management arrangements will include: 
Board Committees; financial reporting; 
Management reporting; organisational 
structures, procedures, manuals and 
policies; audits; environment, health and 
safety standards; comprehensive insurance 
programs and appointment of specialist 
staff and external advisors.

The Audit & Risk Committee assists the 
Board in performing its role in relation to 
risk management by periodically reviewing 
the effectiveness of Santos’ enterprise risk 
management framework and reporting, and 
making recommendations, to the Board. A 
review of the Company’s risk management 
framework was undertaken by the 
Committee in 2014 with the assistance of 
an independent risk management expert 
consultant. The review concluded that the 
company’s risk management framework 
was sound and effective in identifying 
and managing risk. The review also made 
a number of process improvements and 
recommendations which were adopted and 
are currently being implemented.

An Enterprise-Wide Risk Management 
approach, based on the relevant 
International Standard (ISO31000:2009) 
forms the basis of the Company’s Risk 
Management activities. This approach 
is incorporated in the Company’s Risk 
Management Policy and aims to ensure 
that business risks facing the Company 
are consistently identified, analysed and 
evaluated, and that active management 
plans and controls are in place for the 
ongoing management of these risks. 

Independent validation of controls is 
undertaken by internal audit as part of the 
Company’s risk-based approach. The risk & 
internal audit function is independent of the 
external auditor and reports to the Audit & 
Risk Committee, which reviews the findings 
and recommendations made by the risk & 
internal audit function. The head of risk & 
internal audit is appointed by the Audit & 
Risk Committee. 

4.2  Management reporting on risk 

As risk management is embedded 
throughout the Company, reporting of 
these risks occurs at a number of levels. 

All regular reports to the Board on strategic, 
project and operational issues incorporate 
an assessment by Management of the 
associated risks, which ensures that the 
Board is in a position to make fully-informed 
business judgements on these issues. 

and that the financial statements comply 
with the appropriate accounting standards 
and give a true and fair view of the financial 
position and performance of the Company, 
and that this opinion has been formed 
on the basis of a sound system of risk 
management and internal control which is 
operating effectively.

4.3  Business and sustainability risks 

The Operating and Financial Review on 
pages 41 to 48 of the 2014 Annual Report 
contains detailed information about the 
Company’s material business risks and the 
mitigation measures in place. 

The Operating and Financial Review, 
together with the Company’s 2014 
Sustainability Report explains the 
Company’s exposure to economic, 
environmental and social sustainability  
risks and how that exposure is managed. 

4.4   Independence of auditors  
and non-audit services 

The Audit & Risk Committee makes 
recommendations to the Board about the 
selection, appointment and independence 
of the Company’s external auditor.

The Board has adopted a policy in relation 
to the provision of non-audit services by 
the Company’s external auditor. The policy 
can be found in Attachment A to the Audit 
& Risk Committee Charter. 

In addition to the formal reporting 
arrangements, the Board and Management 
give ongoing consideration to the 
effectiveness of the Company’s risk 
management and internal compliance and 
control systems, and whether there is scope 
for further improvement of these systems. 

The policy requires that services which are 
considered to be in conflict with the role of 
statutory auditor are not performed by the 
Company’s external auditor and prescribes 
the approval process for non-audit services 
where the Company’s external auditor is 
used. 

Non-assurance service work in 2014 
represented 13% of the fees paid to the 
Company’s external auditor or associates. 

A copy of the auditor’s independence 
declaration as required under Section 307C 
of the Corporations Act is set out on page 
156 of the Annual Report. 

The Board confirms that it has received 
a report from Management as to 
the effectiveness of the Company’s 
management of its material business risks 
for the 2014 financial year.

The Board also receives written 
certifications from the Managing Director 
and the CFO in relation to the Company’s 
financial reporting processes for the full 
and half year reporting periods. Before the 
Board approved the financial statements 
for the half year ending on 30 June 2014 
and full year ended 31 December 2014, the 
Managing Director and CFO declared that, 
in their opinion, the financial records of the 
Company have been properly maintained 

|  31

Corporate Governance Statement 
continued

PART 5: dIVERSITY, ETHICS  
ANd CONduCT

Relevant policies and charters 

See www.santos.com 

 • Diversity Policy

 • Code of Conduct 

 • Reporting Misconduct Policy 

 • Securities Trading Policy

 • Shareholder Communications 
and Market Disclosure Policy 

2014 diversity Achievements

 • Ms Yasmin Allen was appointed 
to the Santos Board in October 
2014. 

 • Approval was gained to 

implement a superannuation 
‘top up’, which enables the 
superannuation guarantee to 
continue to be paid during 
periods of unpaid parental leave. 
This compliments the already 
successful parental leave 
program of 16 weeks paid leave 
or 32 weeks at half pay.

 • Nine ‘Making Better Decisions’  

bias awareness sessions were 
conducted with leaders.

 • Launch of a ‘Flexible Work 

Guide’ to highlight and promote 
key policies enabling flexible 
working arrangements.

 • In 2014, Santos continued to 

increase Aboriginal and Torres 
Strait Islander participation by 
directly contributing to 155 
employment, education and 
training opportunities for 
Aboriginal and Torres Strait 
Islander peoples, which included 
the employment of 72 people.

5.1 diversity

The Board and Senior Leadership Team of 
Santos is committed to workforce diversity 
believing that it leads to stronger Company 
performance and a positive organisational 
culture. 

The Company aims to continuously:

 • increase the representation and 

development of its diverse population;

 • improve leadership, career and personal 

development opportunities;

 • ensure robust auditing, analysing and 

reporting on diversity-related issues 
including a focus on gender pay equity; 
and

 • participate in, and contribute to, 

industry and public debate in relation  
to diversity.

The Diversity Policy has been approved, 
and is overseen, by the Board’s People and 
Remuneration Committee and can be found 
on the Company’s website. As part of the 
Company’s transition to the 3rd edition 
of the ASX Principles, the Diversity Policy 
has been updated to explicitly require the 
Board or the People and Remuneration 
Committee to set measurable objectives 
for gender diversity and for the People 
and Remuneration Committee to annually 
assess the objectives and Santos’ progress 
towards delivering them. Prior to this, 
the practice that had been in place for a 
number of years was consistent with the 
requirements of the current version of the 
ASX Principles.

This policy is summarised and referenced 
in the Company’s Code of Conduct, which 
sets out the overall framework, guidance 
and expectations regarding the behaviour 
of all Santos employees. These policies 
are reviewed to ensure ongoing relevance 
and employees are required to update 
their knowledge of the Code of Conduct 
regularly. 

In addition to concentrating on 
development of the current workforce, 
Santos recognises recruitment is a key 
opportunity for encouraging diversity. 
Santos’ Recruitment and Selection Policy 
requires that only relevant factors, such as 
experience and qualifications, can be taken 
into consideration when making selection 
decisions. Gender balanced candidate pools 
are included as a performance measure 
in contracts with recruitment firms and 
service suppliers.

The Company’s focus on improving gender 
balance and pay equity has a high level 
of corporate accountability with Senior 
Executives reporting to the CEO on 
initiatives and progress towards achieving 
objectives. An annual review is also 
conducted with the Board. 

During 2014 the Company continued  
to focus on additional commitments  
and opportunities needed to increase  
the number of females in leadership  
roles. This has led to a 4% increase  
in the number of females in senior 
leadership roles. 

Greater awareness was built around the 
role of bias and decision making, with new 
programs introduced to ensure leaders 
were aware and could take action around 
any conscious or unconscious bias that 
might impede diversity. 

Recruitment systems were updated  
to ensure biased practices did not exist 
with talent reviews or hiring decisions.  
In addition, flexible work practice policies 
were updated and relaunched with all 
employees. Of the people who establish 
formal flexible work arrangements, 85%  
are female. 

The table opposite sets out the 
measureable objectives adopted by the 
Board and a summary of the progress 
towards achieving them, as reported to 
and assessed by the Board during 2014 in 
accordance with the Company’s Diversity 
Policy. Specific achievements are outlined 
in the table opposite.

32  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

Objective

Initiatives and progress

1. Representation

 • Over the last five years Santos’ female workforce has increased from 22% to 26%.

 Increase representation 
of females and Aboriginal 
employees at Santos. 
In particular increase 
representation in the non-
traditional areas such as 
apprentices, trainees and 
graduates.

 • An additional female non-executive Director was appointed in 2014 increasing female 

representation at a board level.

 • There has been a 4% increase in the number of senior leadership roles held by women since 2013. 

 • The Company continues to make progress on increasing female representation through quarterly 

business reviews and annual talent reviews.

 • The Santos Graduate Program continues to drive gender balance in engineering and geoscience 

with 40% of graduates employed being female.

 • Santos has increased Aboriginal workforce participation through the creation of 653 employment 
and training opportunities across the energy and resource sector. These opportunities include 
cadetships, traineeships and apprenticeships.

 • Santos collaborated with its contractors and suppliers to gain additional employment opportunities 

for the Aboriginal workforce during 2014.

2.  Leadership and culture 

 • Bias awareness tools are embedded into leadership development programs.

development 

 Deliver development 
solutions to remove gender 
bias and create an inclusive 
culture.

 • New programs introduced during the year to help drive inclusiveness and awareness were 

Coaching for performance, Removing Bias and Making Better Decisions and Building Confidence 
and Resilience.

 • Workforce flexibility policies and practices continue to be reinforced with females making up 85% 

of all formal flexible work arrangements. 

 • Santos had a return rate of 95% of employees from parental leave during 2014.

3.  Personal and career 

 • Female representation in the Company’s leadership development programs increased by 6%  

development

during 2014.

 Equal representation of 
women and men to receive 
opportunities for in-house 
development programs. 

 • Females in the company sponsored MBA program continued to be strong at 27% driving the 
formal development of women in leadership positions and strengthening their networks. 

 • Sponsorship of ‘Women on Boards’ and the Australian Institute of Company Directors programs 

reinforced the development of women to be board ready.

4. Systems and processes

 • Flexible work policies have been reviewed and a ‘Flexible Work Guide’ launched to all employees 

 Review practices to identify 
inequities, specifically review 
gender pay equity and take 
necessary actions.

aimed at ensuring people are clear about the policies that are on offer.

 • Service providers continue to be contracted on the basis of their ability to provide diverse and 

gender-balanced candidate pools. 

 • The annual pay equity review continued and is used to address inequities between male and female 

employees. Santos achieved the highest result of ‘taking action’ in pay equity as part of the 
Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s review. 

 •  Superannuation sessions tailored to the needs of women were provided to allow for improved 

financial planning.

5.  Government and industry 

 • Santos continued its involvement with the Gender Equity Project (GEP), an initiative driven by 

participation.

 Involvement with initiatives 
designed to improve gender 
equity.

Melbourne Business School and industry partners to produce research and interventions that will 
drive awareness and improvement in gender balance across the country.

 • Santos continues to support industry and community initiatives designed to improve gender equity 

including Australian Women in Resources alliances, Women on Boards and the Australian Institute 
of Company Directors programs. Santos supported a number of women joining boards in 2014 
through these programs. Through its association with universities, Santos also supports various 
STEM* initiatives assisting to increase females seeking STEM subjects.

*  Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

|  33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement 
continued

The Company remains committed to 
attracting, retaining and engaging people 
with diversity of experience, skills, qualities 
and backgrounds, and to providing an 
inclusive culture. The five objectives listed 
above will continue to ensure Santos 
maintains focus in these key areas. 
Progress against these objectives will be 
reported in the Company’s 2015 Annual 
Report.

The following graphs shows the 
proportional representation of men and 
women at various levels within the Santos 
workforce.

WORKFORCE GENdER PROFILE 2014

Non-executive Director

78

22

Senior Executive 

83

17

Other

Total

74

26

74

26

Male

Female

WORKFORCE GENdER PROFILE 2013

Non-executive Director

87

13

Senior Executive 

83

17

Other

Total

73

27

73

27

Male

Female

The Senior Executives for 2014 are  
the Senior Leadership Team as at  
31 December 2014 which consisted of  
12 of the individuals (ten males and two 
females) depicted in pages 8 and 9 of  
the Annual Report.

5.2   Ethical standards and code  

of conduct 

Santos is committed to practising high 
standards of business conduct and 
corporate governance and complying with 
legal requirements wherever the Company 
operates. To promote high standards 
of corporate governance and business 
conduct, the Company has provided its 
Directors, employees and contractors with 
a clear set of rules, values and guidelines 

34  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

to follow when carrying out their roles. 
These rules, values and guidelines set out 
what is expected of Directors, employees, 
contractors and agents of Santos. 

In particular, the Company has an 
integrated Code of Conduct in place that: 

 • sets out the Company’s key rules, 

values and guidelines with respect to 
workplace and environment, business 
conduct and sustainability; and 

 • outlines the processes for reporting 

and investigating suspected breaches, 
and the penalties that may be imposed 
where a breach is found to have 
occurred. 

The Code of Conduct and its associated 
training was last reviewed and updated 
in 2012. All employees are required 
to undertake a periodic refresher of 
compulsory online training and this training 
module is also a compulsory component 
of new personnel inductions. This roll-out 
of training was undertaken in parallel with 
other compulsory training modules in 
relation to an associated policy which had 
also been reviewed and updated, the Equal 
Opportunity/Bullying Policy.

In addition, the Company has a separate 
Anti-Corruption Policy. To assist the 
Company achieve the highest ethical 
standards, all Santos staff and contractors 
are required to be familiar with and to abide 
by the Policy and related Guidelines. During 
2014, the Company continued a roll-out of 
anti-corruption workshops and web-based 
training for employees in roles or locations 
where there is a higher risk of exposure to 
corrupt practices by third parties.

The standards of conduct expected of 
Santos staff, including when dealing with 
the broader stakeholder constituency 
of shareholders, customers and the 
community, are also recorded in separate 
guidelines and policies relating to dealing 
in securities (discussed below), the 
environment, occupational health and 
safety, and human resources. 

Further, a Finance Code of Conduct,  
based on that developed by the Group 
of 100 (an association of senior finance 
executives from Australia’s business 
enterprises) applies to the CFO and all 
other officers and employees within the 
finance function of the Company who 
have the opportunity to influence the 

integrity, direction and operation of the 
Company and its financial performance. 

Santos treats actual or suspected  
breaches of its guidelines and policies 
seriously, and has adopted Reporting 
Misconduct and Issue Resolution policies 
as additional mechanisms to ensure  
that suspected breaches are reported  
and acted upon fairly and effectively.  
A Reporting Misconduct Program is  
in place at Santos, to enable employees  
to report misconduct confidentially via an 
independent Reporting Misconduct hotline, 
without fear of reprisal or discrimination. 
Matters are investigated without bias  
and anyone using the hotline in good  
faith will be protected from reprisals and 
discrimination and their identity will be 
protected (if desired by them or otherwise 
required by law). 

5.3  Securities trading policy

Santos has in place a Securities Trading 
Policy that prohibits Directors, executives 
and employees (as well as connected 
persons over whom they may be expected 
to have control or influence) from 
acquiring, selling or otherwise trading in 
the Company’s securities where they are 
in possession of material price-sensitive 
information that is not in the public domain. 

Directors, executives and employees (and 
their connected persons) are also generally 
prohibited from dealing in the Company’s 
securities during defined ‘blackout periods’. 
In addition, they must not trade the 
Company’s securities on a short-term 
basis, and are not permitted to hedge their 
securities (including options and share 
acquisition rights) unless those securities 
have fully vested and are no longer subject 
to restrictions. 

Breaches of the Securities Trading Policy 
will be subject to appropriate sanctions, 
which could include disciplinary action or 
termination of employment. 

5.4   Continuous disclosure and 

shareholder communication 

The Company is committed to giving all 
shareholders timely and equal access to 
information concerning the Company. 

The Company has developed policies 
and procedures to ensure that Directors 
and Management are aware of and fulfil 
their obligations in relation to the timely 

disclosure of material price-sensitive 
information. A copy of the Shareholder 
Communications and Market Disclosure 
Policy is published on the Santos website 
at http://www.santos.com/share-price-
performance/continuous-disclosure.aspx. 
In accordance with the Policy, information 
must not be selectively disclosed prior to 
being announced to the ASX. Employees 
must notify their departmental manager 
or a designated Disclosure Officer as soon 
as they become aware of information that 
should be considered for release to the 
market. 

When the Company makes an 
announcement to the market, that 
announcement is released to the ASX. The 
Company Secretary and Group Executive 
Investor Relations are responsible for 
communications with the exchanges. 
All material information disclosed to the 
ASX is posted on the Company’s website 
at www.santos.com. This includes ASX 

announcements, annual reports, notices 
of meetings, media releases, and materials 
presented at investor, media and analyst 
briefings. An email alert facility is also 
offered to shareholders. Webcasting of 
material presentations, including annual 
and half-yearly results presentations, is 
provided for the benefit of shareholders, 
regardless of their location. The Annual 
General Meeting is also webcast live and 
made available for later viewing.

The Board is conscious of its obligations to 
shareholders and will seek their approval 
as required by the Company’s Constitution, 
the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing 
Rules, or where otherwise considered 
appropriate by the Directors. 

Additionally, the Company’s external 
auditor attends Annual General Meetings 
to be available to answer shareholder 
questions relevant to the conduct of 
the audit. The Annual General Meeting 

also provides an opportunity for any 
shareholder or their proxy to attend and 
ask questions of the Board, and exercise 
their vote.

The Company also has in place a detailed 
investor relations program of scheduled 
and ad hoc briefings with shareholders, 
analysts and financial media. The program 
is aimed at facilitating effective two-
way communications with investors, 
and provides an opportunity for the 
Company’s investors to interact with 
senior Management and to gain a greater 
understanding of the Company’s business, 
financial performance, prospects and 
corporate governance. The Company’s 
dedicated investor relations team and 
share registry receives and sends 
electronic communications directly to 
shareholders, and can be contacted via 
links on the Santos website.

|  35

10-year summary

As at 31 december

2005

Santos average realised oil price (A$/bbl)3 73.83

2006

89.35

2007

92.00

2008

117.45

2009

78.83

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

87.35

115.29

113.78

120.96

114.21

Financial performance ($million)4,5

Product sales revenue3

2,463 

2,750 

2,489 

2,762 

2,181 

2,228 

2,721 

3,223 

3,602 

4,037 

Total revenue3

2,492 

2,779 

2,518 

2,805 

2,251 

2,306 

2,803 

3,289 

3,651 

4,099 

Foreign currency gains/(losses)

Profit from ordinary activities before tax

Income tax relating to ordinary activities

(4)

1,133 

371 

1 

964 

321 

- 

719 

196 

164 

24 

2,533 

768 

115 

(28)

717 

205 

78 

434 

(10)

793 

244 

51 

500 

18 

1,282 

440 

91 

753 

(2)

24 

(5)

911 

318 

75 

519 

869  (1,544)

296 

(482)

57 

516 

(127)

(935)

762 

643 

359 

1,650 

Royalty-related taxes1

Net profit after tax attributable to the 
shareholders of Santos Ltd

Financial position ($million)4,5

Total assets

Net debt/(cash)

Total equity

Reserves and production (mmboe)

Proven plus probable reserves (2P)

Production

Exploration2

Wells drilled (number)

Expenditure ($million)4

Other capital expenditure ($million)4,5

Delineation and development2

Buildings, plant and equipment

General

Number of employees  
(excluding contractors)

Number of shareholders

6,191 

6,903 

7,320 

9,802 

11,361 

13,769 

15,814 

16,988  20,609  22,345 

1,599 

1,450 

1,839 

506 

(605)

(1,201)

(205)

1,334 

4,918 

7,490 

2,964 

3,356 

3,093 

4,478 

6,967 

7,603 

8,963 

9,354 

10,212 

9,413 

774

56.0 

22

187

666 

106 

819

61.0 

25

259

866 

182 

879

59.1 

1,013

54.4 

1,440

1,445

1,364 

1,406 

1,368 

1,245 

54.4 

49.9 

47.2 

52.1 

51.0 

54.1 

10

150

955 

202 

13

233

6

181

3

90

4

151

4

162

12

391

9

323

1,290 

1,204 

1,684 

2,769 

2,960 

3,704 

3,247 

105 

172 

107 

149 

231 

274 

261 

1,521

1,679

1,786

1,940

2,096

2,367

2,847

3,289

3,502

3,636

78,157

83,566

77,498

78,933

107,138

112,145

113,173

111,135 112,397 140,509

Market capitalisation ($million)

7,280

5,907

8,274

8,696

11,721

11,506

11,560

10,669

14,222

8,116

Netback ($/boe)3

29.5 

32.9 

32.9 

35.9 

22.9 

23.0 

27.6 

31.1 

33.9 

33.4 

36  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

As at 31 december

Share Information

Share issues

Number of issued ordinary shares  
at year-end (million)

Weighted average number of  
issued ordinary shares (million)

Dividends – ordinary shares

Paid during the period  
(cents per share)

Declared in respect of the  period  
(cents per share)

Paid during the period ($million)4

Number of issued preference shares  
at year-end (million)

Dividends – preference shares

Paid during the period ($ per share)

– ordinary

– special

Declared in respect of  the period  
($ per share)

– ordinary

– special

Paid during the period ($million)5

– ordinary

– special

Earnings per share (cents)

Return on total revenue (%)3

Return on average ordinary equity (%)

Return on average capital employed (%)

Net debt/(net debt + equity) (%)

Net interest cover (times)

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Employee 
Share Plan/ 
Executive 
Share Plan/ 
Exercise of 
Options/ 
Dividend 
Reinvestment 
Plan

Employee 
Share plan/ 
Executive 
Share Plan/ 
Exercise of 
Options/ 
Dividend 
Reinvestment 
Plan

Employee 
Share Plan/ 
Executive 
Share Plan/ 
Non-
executive 
Director 
Share Plan/ 
Exercise of 
Options/ 
Dividend 
Reinvestment 
Plan/ 
Buy Back

Employee 
Share Plan/ 
Executive 
Share Plan/ 
Non-
executive 
Director 
Share Plan/ 
Exercise of 
Options/ 
Dividend 
Reinvestment 
Plan/ 
Buy Back

Employee 
Share Plan/ 
Executive 
Share Plan/ 
Exercise of 
Options/ 
Dividend 
Reinvestment 
Plan/2 for 5 
Rights Issue/ 
Redemption 
of FUELS/ 
Convertible 
Preference 
Shares

Employee 
Share Plan/ 
Executive 
Share Plan/ 
Non-
executive 
Director 
Share Plan/ 
Exercise of 
Options/ 
Dividend 
Reinvestment 
Plan/ 
Placement 
(institutional)

Employee 
Share Plan/ 
Executive 
Share Plan/ 
Exercise of 
Options/ 
Dividend 
Reinvestment 
Plan/ 
ESG Plan/ 
ESG 
Scheme of 
Arrangement

Employee 
Share Plan/ 
Executive 
Share Plan/ 
Dividend 
Reinvestment 
Plan

Employee 
Share Plan/ 
Executive 
Share Plan/ 
Dividend 
Reinvestment 
Plan / 
Exercise of  
Options

Employee 
Share Plan/ 
Executive 
Share Plan/ 
Dividend 
Reinvestment 
Plan / 
Exercise of  
Options

594.4 

598.5 

586.1 

584.9 

831.9 

875.1 

944.6 

961.2 

972.1 

983.8 

638.4 

647.3 

641.2 

641.4 

781.1 

836.3 

888.7 

954.9 

967.5 

978.2 

36 

38 

212 

 6.0 

40 

40 

238 

 6.0 

40 

40 

235 

 6.0 

42 

42 

248 

 6.0 

42 

42 

42 

37 

299 

350 

 -   

 -   

30 

30 

263 

 -   

30 

30 

285 

 -   

30 

30 

35 

35 

289 

341 

-

-

 5.1 

 -   

 5.1 

 -   

 5.6 

 -   

 6.3 

 -   

 4.6 

 -   

 5.2 

 -   

 5.3 

 -   

 31 

 -   

 114.6 

 30.6 

 35.5 

 19.8 

 35.0 

 14.9 

 30 

 -   

 94.7 

 23.1 

 23.9 

 15.1 

 30.2 

 10.1 

 5.9 

 -   

 34 

 -   

 6.3 

 -   

 38 

 -   

 50.8 

 251.4 

 14.3 

 12.4 

 9.0 

 37.3 

 58.8 

 50.6 

 34.1 

 10.2 

 -   

 -   

 28 

 -   

 52.0 

 19.3 

 7.5 

 7.3 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 59.8 

 21.7 

 6.9 

 7.3 

 84.8 

 26.9 

 9.1 

 8.7 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 54.4 

 15.7 

 5.7 

 4.4 

 12.4 

 14.6 

 53.3 

 (95.6)

 14.1 

 (22.8)

 5.3 

 3.8 

 (9.5)

 (5.7)

 32.5 

 44.3 

 4.8 

 (5.3)

 (9.5)

 (18.7)

 (2.3)

 7.4 

 38.5 

 (45.3)

 (19.1)

 700.9 

1.  From 2007, ‘Royalty-related taxes’ have been accounted for as a tax.

2.  Exploration expenditure includes wildcat wells. Delineation and development expenditure includes appraisal, near field exploration wells and CSG expenditure.

3.   From 2012, Cooper Basin oil purchases have been recorded as product sales/third-party purchases on a gross basis. Previously they had been recorded as trading income on a net basis. Only 

2011 amounts have been restated.

4.  Prior year figures have been restated as whole numbers in order to achieve consistency with current year disclosures.

5.  The 2012 figures have been restated to reflect adjustments required from the adoption of AASB 11 Joint Arrangements. Prior year amounts have not been restated.

|  37

Directors’ Report

Directors, Directors’ shareholdings and Directors’ meetings
Operating and financial review
Significant changes in the state of affairs
Dividends
Environmental Regulation
Post balance date events
Shares under option and unvested share acquisition rights
Shares issued on the exercise of Options and on the vesting of SARs
Directors’ and senior executives’ remuneration

Global oil price environment
Remuneration at a glance
Actually realised remuneration
Remuneration policy and framework
Remuneration governance
Link between performance and remuneration
CEO remuneration
Senior executive remuneration
At-risk remuneration summary
Non-executive Director remuneration
Detailed remuneration information
Detailed information about linking Company performance to incentives

Contents
 38  Directors’ Report
  39 
  41 
  49 
  49 
  49 
  50 
  50 
  51 
  51 
 52  Remuneration Report
  52 
  53 
  54 
  55 
  57 
  58 
  61 
  62 
  64 
  64 
  66 
  70 
  74  Directors’ Report (continued)
  74 
  74 
  74 

Indemnification
Non-audit services
Rounding

38  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

Directors’ Report

The Directors present their report together with the consolidated financial report of the consolidated entity, being Santos Limited 
(“Santos” or “the Company”) and its controlled entities, for the financial year ended 31 December 2014, and the Auditor’s Report 
thereon. Information in the Annual Report referred to in this report, including the Remuneration Report, or contained in a note to the 
financial statements referred to in this report forms part of, and is to be read as part of, this report.

DIReCtoRs, DIReCtoRs’ sHAReHoLDInGs AnD DIReCtoRs’ MeetInGs

Directors and Directors’ shareholdings

The names of Directors of the Company in office at the date of this report and details of the relevant interest of each of those Directors 
in shares in the Company at that date are set out below.

surname

Allen

Borda

Coates

Dean

Franklin

Goh

other names

Yasmin Anita

Kenneth Charles (Chairman)

Peter Roland

Kenneth Alfred

Roy Alexander

Hock

Hemstritch

Jane Sharman

Knox

Martin

Sheffield

David John Wissler (Managing Director)

Gregory John Walton

Scott Douglas

shareholdings in santos Limited

10,000

87,874

48,879

32,130

15,215

15,000

39,192

99,325

24,500

40,000

The above named Directors held office during and since the end of the financial year with the exception of Mr Scott Sheffield, who 
was appointed on 24 February 2014 and Ms Yasmin Allen, who was appointed on 22 October 2014. Mr Richard Michael Harding was a 
Director until his retirement at the Annual General Meeting on 16 May 2014. There were no other persons who acted as Directors at any 
time during the financial year and up to the date of this report. All shareholdings are of fully paid ordinary shares. No Director holds a 
relevant interest in a related body corporate of Santos Limited. 

At the date of this report, Mr DJW Knox holds 257,512 options and 1,009,920 share acquisition rights (“SARs”). Details of the options 
and SARs granted to Mr Knox during the year are set out in the Remuneration Report commencing on page 52.

Details of the qualifications, experience and special responsibilities of each Director and the Company Secretary are set out on the 
Directors’ and Executives’ biography pages of the Annual Report. This information includes details of other listed company directorships 
held during the last three years.

|  39

 
Directors’ Report

Directors’ Report
continued

Directors’ meetings

The number of Directors’ meetings and meetings of committees of Directors held during the financial year and the number of meetings 
attended by each Director are set out below:

Table of Directors’ Meetings

Director

Allen3

Borda

Coates4

Dean

Franklin

Goh5

Yasmin A

Kenneth C

Peter R

Kenneth A

Roy A

Hock

Harding6

Richard M

Hemstritch

Jane S

Knox

Martin

David JW

Gregory JW

Sheffield7

Scott D

Directors’ 
meeting2

Audit & Risk 
Committee

environment 
Health, 
safety & 
sustainability 
Committee

People & 
Remuneration 
Committee

Finance 
Committee

nomination 
Committee

Attended/Held1

Attended/Held1

Attended/Held1

Attended/Held1

Attended/Held1

Attended/Held1

2 of 2

10 of 10

9 of 10

10 of 10

10 of 10

10 of 10

2 of 3

10 of 10

10 of 10

10 of 10

9 of 10

n/a

n/a

n/a

5 of 5

n/a

1 of 1

n/a

5 of 5

n/a

5 of 5

n/a

1 of 1

n/a

2 of 2

n/a

4 of 4

4 of 4

1 of 2

n/a

4 of 4

n/a

n/a

n/a

5 of 5

n/a

n/a

5 of 5

n/a

n/a

4 of 5

n/a

5 of 5

n/a

n/a

6 of 6

n/a

6 of 6

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

6 of 6

4 of 5

n/a

6 of 6

6 of 6

6 of 6

n/a

n/a

2 of 2

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.  Reflects the number of meetings held during the time the Director held office, or was a member of the Committee, during the year.

2.  In addition to formal meetings, the Directors participated in site visits to Fairview, Gladstone and Roma in June 2014.

3.  YA Allen appointed as a Non-Executive Director and member of the EHSS Committee on 22 October 2014.

4.  PR Coates appointed as a member of the EHSS Committee on 14 May 2014.

5.  H Goh appointed as a member of the Audit & Risk Committee on 22 October 2014.

6.  RM Harding retired as a Non-Executive Director on 16 May 2014.

7.  SD Sheffield appointed as a Non-Executive Director on 24 February 2014 and a member of the Finance Committee on 14 May 2014.

40  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

oPeRAtInG AnD FInAnCIAL ReVIeW

Santos’ principal activities during 2014 were the exploration for, and development, production, transportation and marketing of, 
hydrocarbons. There were no significant changes in the nature of these activities during the year. Revenue is derived primarily from the 
sale of gas and liquid hydrocarbons.

A review of the operations and of the results of those operations of the consolidated entity during the year is as follows:

summary of results table

Production volume

Sales volume

Product sales

EBITDAX1

Exploration and evaluation expensed

Depreciation and depletion

Net impairment loss

EBIT1

Net finance costs

Taxation benefit/(expense)

Net (loss)/profit for the period

Net (loss)/profit attributable to non-controlling interest

Net (loss)/profit attributable to equity holders of Santos

Underlying profit for the period1

2014 
mmboe

54.1

63.7

2013 
mmboe

51.0

58.5

$million

$million

4,037

2,153

(256)

(988)

(2,356)

(1,447)

(97)

609

(935)

–

(935)

533

3,602

1,992

(192)

(888)

(26)

886

(17)

(353)

516

–

516

504

Variance 
%

6

9

12

8

33

11

(263)

273

(281)

(281)

6

1 

 EBITDAX (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, depletion, exploration and evaluation and impairment), EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) and underlying profit are non-IFRS measures 
that are presented to provide an understanding of the underlying performance of Santos’ operations. Underlying profit excludes the impacts of asset acquisitions, disposals and impairments, as 
well as items that are subject to significant variability from one period to the next, including the effects of fair-value adjustments and fluctuations in exchange rates. Please refer to page 7 for 
the reconciliation from net profit to underlying profit for the period. The non-IFRS financial information is unaudited, however the numbers have been extracted from the audited financial 
statements.

Production and sales

Santos’ 2014 full-year production of 54.1 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) was 6% higher than the prior year, primarily due to  
the successful start-up of the PNG LNG project ahead of schedule in April 2014, as well as higher Cooper Basin gas and oil production. 
This was partially offset by lower production from the Carnarvon Basin due to lower gas customer nominations.

Sales volumes rose 9% to 63.7 mmboe, reflecting the higher production outcome combined with growth in third party product sales 
primarily due to higher third party Cooper Basin oil volumes.

Sales revenue grew by 12% to a record $4 billion, due to the start-up of PNG LNG and higher sales volumes, partially offset by lower 
crude oil prices. The average realised crude oil price for the year was A$114 per barrel, 6% lower than 2013.

The Brent crude oil price fell by almost 50% in the second half of 2014 and closed the year at approximately US$58 per barrel, its lowest 
level in more than five years. In December 2014, Santos reduced its projected 2015 capital expenditure by 25% to $2 billion in response 
to the lower oil price and the company continues to focus on reducing operating costs where possible. Santos is also considering asset 
divestments as part of its ongoing portfolio management, provided fair long-term value can be realised.

|  41

Directors’ Report

Directors’ Report
continued

Review of operations

Santos’ operations are reported in four business units based on the different geographic regions of the Company’s operations: Eastern 
Australia; Western Australia and Northern Territory; Asia Pacific; and GLNG.

Eastern Australia

Santos is a leading producer of natural gas, gas liquids and crude oil in eastern Australia. Gas is sold primarily to domestic retailers and 
industry while gas liquids and crude oil are sold in the domestic and export markets.

The demand for natural gas from eastern Australia is expected to increase significantly over the next few years as LNG exports ramp-up 
from Queensland. Santos is responding to the higher demand by lifting gas capacity in the Cooper Basin and progressing the proposed 
Narrabri gas project in New South Wales.

Eastern Australia Business Unit EBITDAX in 2014 was $693 million, 7% higher than 2013 primarily due to higher production volumes and 
higher third party crude oil sales volumes, partially offset by lower crude oil prices. 

Santos’ share of Cooper Basin gas production of 63.3 petajoules (PJ) during 2014 was 4% higher than 2013, reflecting the higher level 
of drilling activity undertaken in 2014, and the resultant increase in well capacity. Santos’ share of Cooper Basin condensate production 
was 1.0 million barrels (mmbbl), in line with 2013. Santos’ share of gas production from the Surat/Bowen/Denison areas in Queensland 
and the Otway Basin offshore Victoria was 28.4 PJ, 7% lower than 2013 primarily due to natural field decline.

Santos’ share of Cooper Basin oil production of 3.2 mmbbl was 4% higher than 2013 due to the contribution of new wells and lower 
downtime more than offsetting natural field decline. Volumes of third party crude oil processed at Moomba increased as production  
from other operators in the Cooper Basin came on line.

Santos continued to progress appraisal of the unconventional gas potential in the Cooper Basin during 2014. The Moomba-193H 
and Moomba-194 wells were successfully connected to Santos’ existing production infrastructure, becoming the second and third 
unconventional wells after Moomba-191 to be brought on-line. 

Western Australia and Northern Territory

Santos is one of the largest producers of domestic natural gas in Western Australia and is also a significant producer of gas liquids and 
crude oil. Santos also has an interest in the Bayu-Undan/Darwin LNG project.

Western Australia and Northern Territory Business Unit EBITDAX was $635 million, 35% lower than 2013 mainly due to lower gas 
customer nominations and higher production costs for Bayu-Undan and Fletcher Finucane/Mutineer-Exeter and lower liquids sales and 
prices.

Santos’ Western Australia gas and condensate production of 54.2 PJ and 533,400 barrels respectively, were both lower than 2013 
primarily due to lower gas customer nominations.

Santos’ share of Western Australia oil production of 3.1 mmbbl was 24% lower than 2013, primarily due to natural field decline and higher 
downtime at Fletcher Finucane.

Notwithstanding a planned one-month shutdown during 2014, strong operating performance at Darwin LNG resulted in Santos’ net 
entitlement to gas production of 16.5 PJ being in-line with the prior year.

Following on from the success of the Crown exploration well drilled in the Browse Basin offshore Western Australia in late-2012, Santos 
and its partners made a significant gas-condensate discovery with the Lasseter well in mid-2014. Lasseter is located 35 kilometres  
east-southeast of Crown and intersected a gross gas-condensate column of 405 metres, with wireline logging confirming 78 metres 
of net gas pay. The Lasseter and Crown discoveries are well positioned in close proximity to existing and proposed LNG projects in the 
Browse Basin.

42  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

Asia Pacific

Santos is building a material business in Asia with producing assets presently in three countries, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and 
Vietnam, and exploration assets in Malaysia and Bangladesh.

Asia Pacific Business Unit EBITDAX was $743 million, 134% higher than 2013, mainly due to the start-up of the PNG LNG project in April 
2014 and Dua in July 2014, partially offset by lower average realised crude prices from Chim Sào and lower sales volumes from Oyong.

In Papua New Guinea, the PNG LNG project (Santos 13.5% interest), achieved first LNG ahead of schedule in April 2014 and shipped its 
first LNG cargo in May. Production ramped-up strongly with the project producing at full capacity by late July. Santos’ share of gas and 
condensate production was 34 PJ and 915,600 barrels respectively in 2014.

Santos is well positioned in discovered resources and prospective exploration acreage in Papua New Guinea and could play an important 
role in any expansion of the PNG LNG project. Santos participated in two exploration gas discoveries in 2014 at Manta and NW Koko, 
and the Hides Deep exploration well was drilling ahead at the end of the year with results expected in the first half of 2015.

Santos’ net entitlement to oil production in Vietnam of 2.8 mmbbl was 6% higher than 2013, due to first oil from the Dua project and 
improvements in operating efficiency on the production vessel.

Santos’ net entitlement to gas production in Indonesia of 25.1 PJ was 7% lower than 2013, primarily due to lower production from Oyong, 
Wortel and Maleo due to lower customer nominations and lower net entitlements. First gas from the Peluang project was achieved in 
March 2014.

GLNG

Sanctioned in January 2011, the GLNG project (Santos 30% interest) is over 90% complete and on track for first LNG in the second 
half of 2015. The project involves developing coal seam natural gas fields in the Bowen and Surat basins in south-east Queensland, 
a 420-kilometre underground gas transmission pipeline and a two-train LNG plant on Curtis Island at Gladstone. The project has an 
estimated gross capital cost of US$18.5 billion for the period from final investment decision until the end of 2015. This is based on 
foreign exchange rates, which are consistent with the assumptions used at FID (A$/US$0.87 average over 2011–15).

Strong construction progress continued in 2014 as the project achieved significant milestones, including the completion of all major gas 
field processing facilities, completion of the 420-kilometre gas transmission pipeline, placement of the last of the 111 LNG train modules, 
completion of the LNG loading jetty and hydrotesting of both LNG storage tanks. 

GLNG Business Unit results include domestic gas production and sales from the GLNG coal seam natural gas fields in south-western 
Queensland. GLNG Business Unit EBITDAX was -$10 million, 183% lower than 2013, mainly due to higher pipeline tolls and lower 
domestic customer nominations.

Santos’ share of GLNG gas production was 7.9 PJ, 18% lower than 2013 due to lower gas customer nominations.

|  43

 
Directors’ Report

Directors’ Report
continued

net profit

The 2014 net loss attributable to equity holders of Santos Limited of $935 million is $1,451 million lower than the net profit of $516 million 
in 2013. This decrease is primarily due to higher impairment losses of $1,563 million after tax as a result of the decline in global oil prices. 

Net profit includes items before tax of $2,292 million ($1,468 million after tax), as referred to in the reconciliation of net profit to 
underlying profit below.

Reconciliation of net (loss)/profit to underlying profit1

2014  
$million

2013  
$million

Gross

tax

net

Gross

tax

net

net (loss)/profit after tax attributable to equity holders 
of santos Limited

(935) 

Add/(deduct) the following:

Net gains on sales of non-current assets

Impairment losses

Foreign exchange (gains)/ losses

Fair-value adjustments on embedded derivatives and hedges

Remediation (income)/costs for incidents net of related 
insurance recoveries

Other (income)/expense items

Other one-off tax adjustments

Underlying profit1 

(4)

1

(3)

2,356

(793)

1,563

5

(59)

(6)

–

–

2,292

(2)

17

2

–

(49)

(824)

3

(42)

(4)

–

(49)

1,468

533

(14)

26

(24)

(7)

(9)

(3)

–

(31)

516

(10)

28

(17)

(5)

(7)

(1)

–

(12)

504

4

2

7

2

2

2

–

19

1. 

 Underlying profit is a non-IFRS measure that is presented to provide an understanding of the underlying performance of Santos’ operations. The measure excludes the impacts of asset 
acquisitions, disposals and impairments, as well as items that are subject to significant variability from one period to the next, including the effects of fair-value adjustments and fluctuations in 
exchange rates. The non-IFRS financial information is unaudited, however the numbers have been extracted from the financial statements which have been subject to audit by the Company’s 
auditor. ‘Other (income)/expense items’ in 2014 relates to a prior year re-determination adjustment.

Financial position

Summary of financial position

Exploration and evaluation assets

Oil and gas assets and other land, buildings, plant and equipment

Restoration provision

Other net assets/(liabilities)1

Total funds employed

Net debt2

Net tax liabilities3

Net assets/equity

2014  
$million

2013  
$million

Variance 
$million

1,106

18,689

(2,157)

(207)

17,431

(7,490)

(528)

9,413

1,964

16,082

(1,768)

72

16,350

(4,918)

(1,220)

10,212

(858)

2,607

(389)

(279)

1,081

(2,572)

692

(799)

1. 

 Other net assets comprise trade and other receivables, prepayments, inventories, other financial assets, share of investments in joint ventures, offset by trade and other payables, deferred 
income, provisions and other financial liabilities.

2.  Net debt reflects the net borrowings position and includes interest-bearing loans, net of cash and interest rate and cross-currency swap contracts.

3.  Net tax liabilities comprise deferred tax liabilities and current tax payable offset by tax receivable and deferred tax assets.

44  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
Impairment of assets

During the Company’s regular review of asset carrying values, Santos undertook an impairment review against the lower oil price 
environment as part of the preparation of its 2014 full-year accounts.

Some assets were assessed to be impaired and non-cash after tax impairment losses of $1.6 billion have been recognised in the  
2014 accounts.

The impairment losses primarily relate to certain oil producing assets including in the Cooper Basin, and certain exploration and 
evaluation assets including the Gunnedah Basin.

Exploration and evaluation assets 

Exploration and evaluation assets were $1,106 million compared to $1,964 million at the end of 2013, a decrease of $858 million. This was 
mainly due to impairment losses before tax of $1,170 million and exploration and evaluation expensed, offset by 2014 capital expenditure 
including WA offshore assets and the Gunnedah Basin, and acquisition costs comprising interests in Block S and Block R in Malaysia. 

Oil and gas assets and other land, buildings, plant and equipment

Oil and gas assets of $18,689 million were $2,607 million higher than in 2013, mainly due to 2014 capital expenditure on major 
development projects including PNG LNG and GLNG, and the Cooper Basin, offset by depreciation and depletion charges and 
impairment losses. 

Restoration provision

Restoration provision balances have increased by $389 million to $2,157 million, mainly due to a change in the discount rate, unwinding 
the effect of discounting the provision and revised restoration cost estimates.

Net debt

Net debt of $7,490 million was $2,572 million higher than at the end of 2013, primarily as a result of drawdowns on debt to fund the 
capital expenditure program and the impact of the A$ exchange rate on US$ denominated debt, partially offset by net operating cash 
inflows.

Net assets/equity

Total equity decreased by $799 million to $9,413 million at year end. The decrease primarily reflects the 2014 net loss after tax 
attributable to owners of Santos of $935 million and dividends paid during the year ($341 million), offset by the impact of the  
A$ exchange rate on foreign operations ($308 million) and additional shares issued in relation to the dividend reinvestment plan  
($145 million). 

Future commitments

Due to the nature of Santos’ operations, the Company has future obligations for capital expenditure, for which no amounts have been 
provided in the financial statements. Santos also has certain requirements to perform minimum exploration work and spend minimum 
amounts of money pursuant to the terms of the granting of petroleum exploration permits, in order to maintain rights of tenure. The 
minimum exploration commitments are less than the normal level of exploration expenditures expected to be undertaken by the 
Company.

Santos leases LNG carriers and tug facilities under finance leases. The leases have terms of between 10 and 20 years with varying 
renewal options. At reporting date, no liability for the LNG carrier leases was recorded as the assets were not yet available for use. 
Santos also leases floating production, storage and offtake facilities, floating storage offloading facilities, LNG carriers and mobile 
offshore production units under operating leases. These leases typically run for a period of four to six years and may have an option to 
renew after that time. The group also leases building office space and a warehouse under operating leases. These leases are generally 
for a period of 10 years, with an option to renew the lease after that date.

|  45

Directors’ Report

Directors’ Report
continued

Business strategy and prospects for future financial years 

Business strategy

Santos’ vision is to be a leading oil and gas exploration and production company in Australia and Asia. The Company has a three-pronged 
strategy to achieve this:

Australia: Santos is one of Australia’s largest producers of natural gas to the domestic market and has the largest exploration and 
production acreage position in Australia of any company. Santos has also developed major oil and gas liquids businesses in Australia and 
operates in all mainland Australian states and the Northern Territory. Santos’ focus in Australia is to drive value and performance from its 
businesses and unlock resources to meet gas demand.

LnG: Santos has interests in three liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects. These include the PNG LNG project in Papua New Guinea, 
which commenced production in 2014, and Darwin LNG, which began production in 2006. Santos’ GLNG project in Queensland is due to 
commence production in the second half of 2015. Santos aims to leverage its existing LNG infrastructure and capabilities, and in doing 
so, become a major LNG supplier to Asia.

Asia: Santos has oil and gas production in Indonesia and Vietnam and aims to build a material position in South-East Asia through 
development projects and exploration investment. 

Strong progress was made in 2014 in the delivery of all elements of the strategy including:

Australia 

 • Cooper Basin gas and oil production increased 

Driving value and performance from 
the base business and unlocking 
resources to meet gas demand.

 • Exploration success offshore Western Australia with the Lasseter well 

 • Further shale gas success in the Cooper Basin with three unconventional wells 

connected and on-line

 • Santos uniquely positioned to meet higher domestic and export natural gas demand

LnG 

 • PNG LNG first LNG ahead of schedule in April, with the project producing at full 

Leveraging existing LNG 
infrastructure and capabilities.

capacity by late-July 

 • GLNG over 90% complete and on track for first LNG in the second half of 2015, 

within budget 

 • Strong production from Darwin LNG

Asia 

 • Dua (Vietnam) and Peluang (Indonesia) projects delivered 

Building a material position in South-
East Asia.

 • Farm-in to exploration licences in Malaysia and drilling underway 

 • Multiple options for PNG LNG expansion

Prospects for future financial years

Santos expects to grow production in 2015 to between 57 and 64 mmboe. The key driver of increased production will be a full-year of 
production from the PNG LNG project and the start-up of GLNG in the second half of the year.

As Santos’ LNG production grows over the next few years, with the ramp-up of GLNG and PNG LNG at plateau, an increasing 
proportion of the Company’s revenues will be linked to the global oil price.

Following a period of relative stability, oil prices declined significantly in the second half of 2014 with the Brent crude oil benchmark price 
falling by approximately 50%.

46  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

BRent CRUDe oIL PRICe
US$/barrel

120

90

60

30

0
Jan
2010

Jan
2011

Jan
2012

Jan
2013

Jan
2014

Jan
2015

The current lower oil price environment means that Santos is focused on driving operational efficiency, reducing costs, prudently 
managing capital and ensuring that its balance sheet remains strong.

Capital expenditure has been reduced by 25% in 2015 while asset divestments are under consideration as part of the Company’s 
ongoing portfolio management, provided fair long-term value can be realised. 

The underlying performance of Santos’ business remains strong and the Company remains well placed to benefit when oil prices recover.

Material business risks

The achievement of the business strategy, production growth outlook and future financial performance is subject to various risks, 
including the material business risks summarised below. Santos undertakes steps to identify, assess and manage these risks and 
operates under a Board-approved Enterprise-wide Risk Management Policy. This summary refers to significant risks identified at  
a whole of entity level relevant to Santos in 2014. It is not an exhaustive list of all risks that may affect the Company and they have  
not been listed in any particular order of importance.

Volatility in oil and gas prices

 • Santos’ business relies primarily on the production and sale of oil and gas products (including LNG) to a variety of buyers under a 

range of short- and long-term contracts. While the existence of oil-linked pricing means that downward movements in oil price have 
an effect on Santos’ revenue, the Company also receives revenue of material value from non-oil-linked contracts. Crude oil prices are 
affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control and have fluctuated widely historically.

 • A drop in oil prices in Q4 2014 saw Santos take steps to adjust to the risks associated with a lower oil price operating environment. 
These included a focus on reduction of 2015 capital expenditure, driving operational efficiencies, reducing operating and production 
costs and continuing to prudently manage capital, thereby ensuring a strong balance sheet. 

Project development risk

 • Santos is investing a significant amount of capital in the GLNG Project. The GLNG Project and other projects may be delayed or be 
unsuccessful for many reasons including unanticipated economic, financial, operational, engineering, technical, environmental, 
contractual or political events. Delays, changes in scope, cost increases or poor performance outcomes pose risks that may impact 
the Company’s financial performance. 

 • Santos has comprehensive project and risk management and reporting systems in place and the progress and performance of 

material projects is regularly reviewed by senior management and the Board.

Oil and gas reserves 

 • Estimations of recoverable oil and gas reserves and resources contain significant uncertainties, which are inherent in the reservoir 
geology, seismic and well data available, and other factors such as project development and operating costs, together with 
commodity prices. 

 • Santos has adopted a reserves management system that is consistent with the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Petroleum Resource 
Management System. The Company’s reserves and resources estimations are subject to annual independent audits and evaluations. 

Exploration risk

 • Santos’ future long-term prospects are also directly related to the success of efforts to replace existing oil and gas reserves as they 
are depleted through production. Exploration is a high risk endeavour subject to geological and technological uncertainties, and the 
failure to replace utilised reserves with additional proved reserves is a risk inherent in the oil and gas exploration and production 
industry.

|  47

Directors’ Report

Directors’ Report
continued

 • Santos employs a well-established exploration prospect evaluation methodology and risking process to manage the risks associated 

with exploration. 

Regulatory risks

 • Santos’ business is subject to various laws and regulations in each of the countries in which it operates. These relate to the 

development, production, marketing, pricing, transportation and storage of its products. A change in the laws, which apply to the 
Company’s business or the way in which it is regulated, could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and 
financial condition. For example, a change in taxation laws, environmental laws or the application of existing laws could also have a 
material effect on Santos.

 • A number of Santos’ interests are located within areas that are the subject of one or more claims or applications for native title 

determination. In Australia, compliance with the requirements of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) can delay the grant of mineral and 
petroleum tenements and consequently impact generally the timing of exploration, development and production operations.

 • Santos continually monitors legislative and regulatory developments and engages appropriately with legislative and regulatory bodies 

to manage this risk.

Litigation risks

 • The nature of Santos’ business means that it is likely to be involved in litigation or regulatory actions arising from a wide range of 

matters. Santos may also be involved in investigations, inquiries or disputes, debt recoveries, native title claims, land tenure and 
access disputes, environmental claims or occupational health and safety claims. Any of these claims or actions could result in delays, 
increase costs or otherwise adversely impact Santos’ assets and operations, financial performance and future financial prospects.

 • Santos’ legal team actively monitors and manages potential and actual claims, actions and disputes.

Environmental and safety risks and social licence to operate

 • A range of health, safety and environmental risks exist within oil and gas exploration and production activities. Accidents, 

environmental incidents and real or perceived threats to the environment or the amenity of local communities could result in a loss  
of the Company’s social licence to operate leading to delays, disruption or the shut-down of exploration and production activities.

 • Santos has a comprehensive environmental, health and safety management system to mitigate the risk of incidents. The Company 
also has highly informed and dedicated community affairs teams that engage with local communities to ensure the communities 
issues are understood and addressed appropriately.

Joint-venture arrangements

 • Santos’ business is carried out through joint ventures. The use of joint ventures is common in the exploration and production industry 

and serves to mitigate the risk and associated cost of exploration, production and operational failure. However, failure of agreement 
or alignment with joint venture partners, or the failure of third party joint venture operators, could have a material effect on Santos’ 
business. The failure of joint venture partners to meet their commitments and share costs and liabilities can result in increased costs 
to Santos.

 • Santos works closely with its joint venture partners in order to reduce the risk of misalignment in joint-venture activities.

Financial risks

 • Foreign currency risk 

 Santos is exposed to foreign currency risk principally through the sale of products denominated in US dollars, borrowings 
denominated in US dollars and euros, and foreign currency capital and operating expenditure. 

 • Credit risk

 Credit risk for Santos represents a potential financial loss if counterparties fail to perform as contracted, and arises from 
investments in cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and deposits with banks and financial institutions, as well 
as credit exposures to customers including outstanding receivables and committed transactions.

 • Access to Capital and Liquidity 

 Santos’ business and, in particular, the development of large-scale projects, relies on access to debt and equity financing. The ability 
to secure financing, or financing on acceptable terms may be adversely affected by volatility in the financial markets, globally or 
affecting a particular geographic region, industry or economic sector, or by a downgrade in its credit rating. 

Santos’ overall financial risk management strategy is to seek to ensure that Santos is able to fund its corporate objectives and meet its 
obligations to stakeholders. Financial risk management is carried out by a central treasury department which operates under Board-
approved policies. The policies govern the framework and principles for overall financial risk management and cover specific financial 
risks such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and credit risk, approved derivative and non-derivative financial instruments and 
liquidity management.

48  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
Material prejudice 

As permitted by Sections 299(3) and 299A(3) of the Corporations Act 2001, Santos has omitted some information from the above 
Operating and Financial Review in relation to the Company’s business strategy, future prospects and likely developments in operations 
and the expected results of those operations in future financial years. This is on the basis that such information, if disclosed, would be 
likely to result in unreasonable prejudice (for example, because the information is premature, commercially sensitive, confidential or could 
give a third party a commercial advantage). The omitted information typically relates to internal budgets, forecasts and estimates, details 
of the business strategy, and contractual pricing.

Forward looking statements

This report contains forward-looking statements including statements of current intention, opinion and predictions regarding the 
Company’s present and future operations, possible future events and future financial prospects. While these statements reflect 
expectations at the date of this report, they are, by their nature, not certain and are susceptible to change. Santos makes no 
representation, assurance or guarantee as to the accuracy or likelihood of fulfilling of any such forward-looking statements (whether 
express or implied), and except as required by applicable law or the ASX Listing Rules, disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly 
update such forward-looking statements. 

sIGnIFICAnt CHAnGes In tHe stAte oF AFFAIRs

The Directors consider that matters or circumstances that have significantly affected, or may significantly affect, the operations, results 
of operations or the state of affairs of the Company in subsequent financial years are as follows:

oil prices

The Brent crude oil price fell by almost 50% in the second half of 2014 and closed the year at approximately US$56 per barrel, its lowest 
level in more than five years. In December 2014, Santos reduced its projected 2015 capital expenditure by 25% to $2 billion in response 
to the lower oil price and the company continues to focus on reducing operating costs where possible. Santos is also considering asset 
divestments as part of its ongoing portfolio management, provided fair long-term value can be realised.

The underlying performance of Santos’ business remains strong and the company remains well placed to benefit when oil prices recover.

DIVIDenDs

On 20 February 2015, the Directors resolved to pay a fully franked final dividend of 15 cents per fully paid ordinary share on 25 March 
2015 to shareholders registered in the books of the Company at the close of business on 27 February 2015 (“Record Date”). This final 
dividend amounts to approximately $148 million. The Board also resolved that the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRP”) will continue to 
be in operation for this dividend. Shares issued under the DRP will be allocated at the arithmetic average of the daily volume weighted-
average market price over a period of 10 business days commencing on the second business day after the Record Date less a 1.5% 
discount (“DRP Price”). The last date to elect to participate in the DRP is 2 March 2015. The DRP will be fully underwritten.

A fully franked final dividend of $146 million (15 cents per fully paid ordinary share) was paid on 26 March 2014 in respect of the year 
ended 31 December 2013, as disclosed in the Annual Report 2013. In addition, a fully franked interim dividend of $195 million (20 cents 
per fully paid ordinary share) was paid to members on 30 September 2014. The DRP was in operation for both of these dividends and 
shares were allocated based on the DRP issue price that was advised to the market for each dividend. 

enVIRonMentAL ReGULAtIon

The consolidated entity’s Australian operations are subject to various environmental regulations under Commonwealth, State and 
Territory legislation. Applicable legislation and requisite environmental licences are specified in the consolidated entity’s EHS Compliance 
Database, which forms part of the consolidated entity’s overall Environmental Management System. Compliance performance is 
monitored on a regular basis and in various forms, including environmental audits conducted by regulatory authorities and by the 
Company, either through internal or external resources.

In January 2014, Santos NSW Pty Ltd was fined $52,500 in the NSW Land and Environment Court regarding reporting failures in relation 
to coal seam gas operations in the Pilliga Forest, NSW, previously owned and operated by Eastern Star Gas (ESG). Santos acquired ESG 
in November 2011. The incidents that were the subject of the fines occurred before Santos took over ESG’s operations and related to 
the Bibblewindi water treatment plant, which Santos has since decommissioned and removed.

In addition, the consolidated entity received $19,500 in fines relating to five infringement notices issued pursuant to the Environmental 
Protection Act 1994 (Qld), 1 infringement notice issued pursuant to the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW), one 
Infringement Notice issued pursuant to the Water Management Act 2000 (NSW) and 1 demand payment issued pursuant to the Forestry 
Act 1959 (QLD). The consolidated entity undertook corrective measures in respect of the infringements to prevent re-occurrences.

The consolidated entity received one other environmental non-compliance instrument pursuant to the Petroleum and Geothermal 
Energy Act 2000 (SA) for which it was not fined and no penalties were issued.

|  49

Directors’ Report

Directors’ Report
continued

Post BALAnCe DAte eVents

Except as mentioned below or elsewhere in this report, in the opinion of the Directors there has not arisen, in the interval between 
the end of the financial year and the date of this report, any matter or circumstance that has significantly affected or may significantly 
affect the operations of the consolidated entity, the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of the consolidated entity in future 
financial years.

On 20 February 2015, the Directors of Santos Limited declared a final dividend on ordinary shares in respect of the 2014 financial year. 
The dividend has not been provided for in the 31 December 2014 financial statements. Refer to note 22 of the financial statements for 
dividends declared after 31 December 2014.

sHARes UnDeR oPtIon AnD UnVesteD sHARe ACQUIsItIon RIGHts

options

Unissued ordinary shares of Santos Limited under option at the date of this report are as follows:

Date options granted

23 May 2005

23 May 2005

expiry date

22 May 2015

22 May 2015

24 October 2006

24 October 2016

4 May 2006

1 July 2007

1 July 2007

3 May 2016

30 June 2017

30 June 2017

3 September 2007

2 September 2017

3 May 2008

3 May 2008

28 July 2008

2 March 2009

2 May 2018

2 May 2018

27 July 2018

2 March 2019

Issue price of shares1

number of options

$8.46

$8.46

$10.48

$11.36

$14.14

$14.14

$12.81

$15.39

$15.39

$17.36

$14.81

8,350

61,100

263,300

2,500,000

203,900

47,400

100,000

447,540

227,951

81,948

50,549

3,992,038

1.  This is the exercise price payable by the option holder. 

Options do not confer an entitlement to participate in a bonus or rights issue, prior to the exercise of the option.

Unvested sARs

Unissued ordinary shares of Santos Limited under unvested SARs at the date of this report are as follows:

Date sARs granted

number of shares under unvested sARs

3 May 2012

2 July 2012

3 January 2013

6 March 2013

1 July 2013

21 January 2014

7 March 2014

1 July 2014

205,339

379,359

46,272

1,612,285

404,762

32,041

3,736,134

474,674

6,890,866

No amount is payable on the vesting of SARs. SARs do not confer an entitlement to participate in a bonus or rights issue, prior to the 
vesting of the SAR. Further details regarding the SARs (including when they will lapse) are contained in the Remuneration Report 
commencing on page 52 of this report and in note 29 to the financial statements.

50  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

sHARes IssUeD on tHe eXeRCIse oF oPtIons AnD on tHe VestInG oF sARs

options

The following ordinary shares of Santos Limited were issued during the year ended 31 December 2014 on the exercise of options granted 
under the Santos Executive Share Option Plan. No further shares have been issued since then on the exercise of options granted under 
the Santos Executive Share Option Plan. No amounts are unpaid on any of the shares.

Date options granted

24 October 2006 

Issue price of shares

$10.48

number of shares issued

99,400

99,400

Vested sARs

The following ordinary shares of Santos Limited were issued during the year ended 31 December 2014 on the vesting of SARs granted 
under the Santos Employee Equity Incentive Plan (“SEEIP”), (formerly known as the Santos Employee Share Purchase Plan (“SESAP”)) 
and ShareMatch Plan (“ShareMatch”). No amount is payable on the vesting of SARs and accordingly no amounts are unpaid on any of 
the shares.

Date sARs granted

1 March 2011

4 July 2011

4 Jan 2012

2 July 2012

3 Jan 2013

6 March 2013

1 July 2013

21 January 2014

1 July 2014

number of shares issued

202,532

281,455

34,570

11,136

4,917

5,573

12,590

626

7,343

560,742

Since 31 December 2014, the following ordinary shares of Santos Limited have been issued on the vesting of SARs granted under the 
SEEIP and ShareMatch.

Date sARs granted

2 July 2012

3 January 2013

1 July 2013

21 January 2014

1 July 2014

number of shares issued

4,622

715

4,638

661

6,376

17,012

DIReCtoRs’ AnD senIoR eXeCUtIVes’ ReMUneRAtIon

Details of the Company’s remuneration policies and the nature and amount of the remuneration of the Directors and senior management 
(including shares, options and SARs granted during the financial year) are set out in the Remuneration Report commencing on page 52 
of this report and in notes 29–30 to the financial statements.

|  51

Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report

The Directors of Santos Limited (referred to as “the Company” or “Santos”) present this Remuneration Report for the consolidated 
entity for the year ended 31 December 2014. The information provided in this report has been audited as required by Section 308(3C)  
of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (“Corporations Act”) and forms part of the Directors’ Report.

The Remuneration Report outlines the Company’s key remuneration activities in 2014 and remuneration information pertaining to the 
Company’s Directors, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Senior Executives’ who are the key management 
personnel (“KMP”) of the consolidated entity for the purposes of the Corporations Act and the Accounting Standards.

GLOBAL OIL PRICE ENVIRONMENT

The year 2014 was one of significant achievement for the Company including:

 • meeting its production target of 54 mmboe, the highest production since 2010;

 • meeting all its environmental performance, personnel safety and process safety targets;

 • PNG LNG commencing production in April 2014 and shipping its first LNG cargo in May 2014, ahead of schedule;

 • GLNG reaching 90% completion, and on track for first LNG in the 2nd half of 2015;

 • production commencing from the Peluang gas project, Indonesia, ahead of schedule and on budget; and

 • a significant gas-condensate discovery at the Lasseter-1 exploration well in WA-274-P, Browse Basin.

However, despite these significant achievements, the Company’s share price declined significantly from a high of $15.19 to $8.25 as at 
31 December 2014 (closing price of $8.24 on 19 February 2015). This was due principally to the Brent crude oil price falling by almost 
50% in the second half of 2014, closing the year at approximately US$56 per barrel, its lowest level in more than five years. In response 
to the challenging economic environment, the Company announced on 11 December 2014 a reduction in its capital expenditure budget 
by 25%. In doing so, the CEO affirmed the Company’s focus on restoring value for shareholders by driving operational efficiency, 
reducing costs, prudently managing capital and making sure our balance sheet remains strong.

In line with the severe downturn in the global oil price and corresponding loss of value for shareholders:

fROzEN PAy

Fixed pay in 2015 has been frozen at 2014 levels. No pay rises will be awarded except where appropriate on 
account of a change in role or responsibilities, or other exceptional circumstances.

REduCEd 
STI AwARd

The Company scored 78% against the Short-term incentive (STI) scorecard measures, however the Board, 
with the full support of the CEO, exercised its discretion and reduced the Company STI score to 58%. This 
has resulted in a lower STI payout to the CEO and Senior Executives.

NIL LTI  
VESTING

None of the performance tested Long-term incentives (LTI) awards granted to the CEO and Senior 
Executives vested.

NIL dIRECTOR 
fEE INCREASE

The Directors resolved to defer indefinitely a 4% average fee increase that would otherwise have taken effect 
from 1 October 2014.

The Board believes the 2014 pay outcomes were fair and appropriate, and reflect the alignment between shareholders’ interests 
and the Company’s remuneration policies and practices. It was a critical year in the transition from a high capital expenditure and 
transformational growth phase to operational delivery and realisation of value in 2014. It was appropriate to reward executives and 
employees with the reduced STI award for achievement of the operational and strategic targets set by the Board at the start of the 
year to ensure that they remain focused and motivated to achieve the strategic and operational targets for 2015. The Company’s 
policy of rewarding performance fairly and reasonably was balanced by the reduction in the STI award, and the zero vesting from the 
performance-based LTI awards.

52  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
2014 REMuNERATION AT A GLANCE

Total fixed 
remuneration 
(“TfR”)

Short-term 
incentive

The CEO and Senior Executives’ TFR increased by an average of 3.2% in the April 2014 annual salary review, in 
line with CPI.

Although the actual score as assessed against the scorecard was 78%, the Board, with the full support of the 
CEO, exercised its discretion and reduced it to 58%. This has resulted in a reduced STI payout for the CEO and 
Senior Executives. The average STI award for 2014 was 58% of maximum, compared to 60% in 2013. The 78% 
actual score reflected the improved performance against operational targets with the key differences between 
the 2014 and 2013 performance summarised below.

Personnel safety

Production

Project Delivery (in particular PNG 
LNG and GLNG)

2013

Not achieved

Not achieved

Partially achieved

2014

Fully achieved

Fully achieved

Fully achieved – PNG LNG 
commenced production ahead of 
schedule and GLNG is on track for 
first gas in the 2nd half of 2015

Full details of the operational and strategic STI targets and the Company’s performance against them is outlined 
in Table 3 on page 58.

Performance-
based Long-term 
incentive

The Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) for the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014 of -30.9% 
ranked at the 20th percentile against the ASX 100. This failure to achieve superior shareholder returns resulted 
in none of the 2014 performance LTI grant vesting, and is the 4th year in a row that the performance-based LTIs 
have not vested. As a result the CEO and Senior Executives received no value from their performance-based LTI 
grants.

Changes to STI 
and LTI programs 
in 2014

As outlined in last year’s report, changes to the STI and LTI program in 2014 included:

 • increasing the maximum STI opportunity of Senior Executives in response to independent external 

benchmarking, which showed that the STI opportunity for the Company’s executives lagged that of their 
peers;

 • deferring 30% of any STI award to the CEO and to Senior Executives for two years;

 • extending the performance period applicable to LTI grants from three to four years;

 • introducing the S&P Global 1200 Energy Index (“S&P GEI”) as a second relative TSR comparator group for 

25% of the LTI grant in addition to the ASX 100 for the remaining 75%; and

 • amending the LTI vesting scale so that vesting commences at the 51st percentile of relative TSR 

performance, instead of the 50th percentile.

Senior Executives

In 2014, as a result of changes implemented in late 2013 to drive operational efficiencies and excellence, the 
Senior Executives took on the following increased responsibilities: 

 • AJ Seaton, Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), took responsibility for Strategy & Corporate Planning and Legal; 

 • JH Anderson, Vice President (“VP”) Western Australia & Northern Territory (“WA & NT”), took responsibility 

for the Asia business (including the PNG LNG project); 

 • JL Baulderstone, VP Eastern Australia, took responsibility for LNG Marketing, Government & Public Affairs  

and the development of the Unconventional Gas business; and

 • TJ Brown, VP Queensland, took responsibility for developing the operational capability of GLNG, phasing out 
the large Engineering, Procurement and Construction contractors, and transforming the Upstream unit into  
a highly efficient and capable gas infrastructure and supply delivery organisation. 

In line with these increased responsibilities and in response to the independent external benchmarking, which 
showed that the STI opportunity for the Company’s executives lagged that of their peers, the maximum 
STI opportunity of the Senior Executives increased from 50% of TFR, to 85% of TFR. The Company chose 
to increase the “at risk” component of their remuneration, instead of the fixed component, to continue to 
incentivise high performance and strengthen the alignment between the executives’ interests and those of 
shareholders.

Non-executive 
directors

The Directors resolved to defer indefinitely a 4% average fee increase, which would otherwise have taken effect 
from 1 October 2014.

|  53

Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report
continued

ACTuALLy REALISEd REMuNERATION

The following table shows remuneration “actually realised” by the CEO and Senior Executives in relation to 2014:

 • cash payments on account of salary and superannuation;

 •  cash STI awards earned in respect of 2014 performance; and

 •  Share Acquisition Rights (“SARs”) granted as part of the LTI program, only if they vest, valued on the basis of their closing price on 

the date of vesting.

These amounts differ from the amounts reported in the remainder of this report, which are prepared in accordance with the 
Corporations Act and Accounting Standards. This is because the Accounting Standards require a value to be placed on “share-based 
payments” at the time of grant, and for that “accounting value” to be reported as remuneration, even though the CEO and Senior 
Executives may ultimately NOT realise any actual value from the “share-based payments” (e.g. because the performance conditions are 
not satisfied, as was the case for the 2012–2014 TSR LTI award tested at the end of 2014).

The Company believes that the additional information provided in Table 1 is useful to investors. The Productivity Commission, in its 
Report on Executive Remuneration in Australia, noted that the usefulness of remuneration reports to investors was diminished by 
complexity and omissions, and, in particular, recommended that the report should include reporting of pay “actually realised” by the 
executives named in the report.

Table 1: Actually Realised Remuneration (non-IfRS)

DJW Knox MD & CEO

JH Anderson VP Asia and WA&NT

year

2014

2013

2014

2013

JL Baulderstone VP Eastern Australia

2014

TJ Brown VP Queensland

AJ Seaton CFO

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

fixed Pay1

Cash STI2

LTI3

Other4

$

2,421,787

2,351,250

706,830

680,730

768,947

744,968

718,786

695,301

764,596

738,098

$

983,200

1,410,750

241,5005

200,500

253,7005

225,100

280,4005

262,700

256,8005

231,300

$

–

–

86,226

78,685

92,694

334,183

84,350

66,812

72,338

69,734

$

–

–

45,000

–

26,131

–

17,720

136,441

–

–

Total

$

3,404,987

3,762,000

1,079,556

959,915

1,141,472

1,304,251

1,101,256

1,161,254

1,093,734

1,039,132

1. 

 “Fixed Pay” comprises base salary and superannuation.

2.   70% of the STI award for 2014 performance will be paid in cash and this is the amount reported in the “Cash STI” column above. The 30% balance will be awarded as Deferred STI shares 

subject to a two-year service-based period, placing a greater focus on “at risk” deferred remuneration. All STI for 2013 performance was paid in cash.

3.   For the value of share-based payments calculated in accordance with the Accounting Standards, see Table 7 “2013 and 2014 Senior Executive remuneration details” on page 66.

 In 2014 the only SARs that vested related to the final grant of service based SARs. For the 4th year running none of the performance-based SARs vested. The figures in this “LTI” column 
show:

- 

- 

 for 2014, the pre-tax vested value of service-based SARs that vested on 11 March 2014 at a share price of $14.00. No 2012–2014 performance-based SARs vested and no Options were 
exercised in 2014.

 for 2013, the pre-tax vested value of service-based SARs that vested on 4 March 2013 at a share price of $13.40. No 2011–2013 performance-based SARs vested and no Options were 
exercised in 2013.

4.  “Other” comprises ad hoc payments treated as remuneration, such as assignment and mobilisation allowances.

5.   JH Anderson, JL Baulderstone, TJ Brown and AJ Seaton received higher STI awards than 2013 due to the increase in their roles and responsibilities (see page 53) and the increased maximum 

STI opportunity as a result of independent external benchmarking, which showed that the STI opportunity for the Company’s executives lagged that of their peers.

The total remuneration amounts determined in accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act and Accounting Standards 
are set out in Table 7 “2013 and 2014 Senior Executive remuneration details” (see page 66).

54  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
REMuNERATION POLICy ANd fRAMEwORK

The Company’s remuneration practices have been designed to promote long-term growth in shareholder returns by striking a balance 
between short-term and long-term growth-related objectives, and providing an incentive for superior performance without encouraging 
irresponsible risk taking. The diagram below shows the key objectives of Santos’ remuneration policy and how these are implemented 
through the Company’s remuneration framework.

ATTRACTING ANd RETAINING 
TALENTEd ANd QuALIfIEd 
EXECuTIVES

ENCOuRAGING EXECuTIVES TO 
STRIVE fOR SuPERIOR 
PERfORMANCE

ALIGNING EXECuTIVE ANd 
SHAREHOLdER INTERESTS

 • Remuneration levels are  

 • A significant component of 

 • Long-term incentives and 

market-aligned against similar 
roles in comparable companies.

remuneration is “at risk” under 
short-term and long-term 
incentive plans. Value to the 
executive is dependent on 
meeting challenging targets. 

 • Consistently high-performing 
executives are also rewarded 
through higher base 
remuneration.

 • Short-term incentives are 

aligned to key performance 
milestones including safety, 
environment, production, 
profitability, project delivery and 
reserves development.

deferred short-term incentives 
are delivered through equity 
instruments linked to Santos 
ordinary shares.

 • Vesting of performance-based 
long-term incentives are 
contingent on Santos’ 
performance relative to the 
ASX100 and the S&P Global 
1200 Energy Index as measured 
by the relative total shareholder 
return at the end of the  
four-year performance period.

 • Long-term incentives and 

deferred short-term incentives 
are “at risk” and executives 
cannot hedge equity instruments 
that are unvested or subject to 
restrictions. These incentives are 
also subject to “clawback”.

Benchmarking

Fixed pay, STI and LTI are set by reference to market comparable data in order to ensure that the Company is competitive and able 
to attract and retain the skills it needs for business operations and project delivery. In relation to Senior Executives, the Company has 
reference to remuneration levels for similar roles in a benchmarking group comprised of peer companies in the oil and gas sector, and 
closely related mining and engineering sectors.

At Risk Remuneration

STI (“at risk” because the amount earned (if any) depends on the extent to which targets are met)

The Company sets a range of short-term operational and financial targets to be achieved annually. These are chosen to encourage 
outcomes and behaviours that support the safe operation and delivery of the base business while pursuing long-term growth in 
shareholder value, and are reviewed annually by the Board to ensure that they align with business strategy for the year. Table 3  
on page 58 outlines the short-term objectives used in 2014 to measure performance for STI purposes and the reasons why these 
objectives were chosen.

The Company’s policy is that 70% of any STI award for the CEO and Senior Executives is paid in cash and the remaining 30% is paid in 
“Deferred STI shares”. These are ordinary shares that will only vest at the end of a two-year deferral period. If a Senior Executive resigns 
during this period, they will ordinarily forfeit their Deferred STI shares. This promotes a focus on long-term performance as the value of 
the shares is linked to the ongoing performance of the Company.

Further details are provided in relation to the STI program on page 70.

|  55

 
Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report
continued

LTI (“at risk” because the amount earned (if any) depends on the extent to which vesting conditions are met)

In order to align the interests of executives with the creation of long-term shareholder value, the Company awards SARs that only vest 
if the performance conditions are met at the end of the performance period.

In 2014, the performance period was extended from three to four years to further align executives’ interests with the creation of long-
term shareholder value. This extension would have resulted in a ‘gap year’ as no LTI awards would have become due for performance 
testing and potential vesting at the end of 2016. In order to address the ‘gap year’, a transitionary LTI grant with a three-year 
performance period was made during 2014 at the same time as the four-year grant. This is illustrated in the diagram below.

Grant year

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Vesting year

x

x

x

x

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014 (3-year grant)

2014 (4-year grant)

2015

2016

x

x

x

x

x

Performance period

x

Vesting (subject to performance testing)

No LTI vesting opportunity at the end of 2016 
without this three-year transitionary grant.

Although the three-year transitionary grant will not result in the executives having more than one opportunity for LTI to vest in each 
year, the Accounting Standards require a value to be placed on the SARs awarded as part of the transitionary grant and reported as 
remuneration. As a result, the value of the SARs and “share-based payments” in Table 7 on page 66 is higher than the previous year due 
to the valuation of the transitionary grant.

The higher amount of “share based payments” in Table 7 on page 66 accounts for much of the apparent increase in the CEO’s and 
Senior Executives’ remuneration against 2013 levels, even though the transitionary grant will not necessarily translate into actual 
value for the Executives as explained in Table 1 on page 54 the “Actually Realised Remuneration (non-IFRS)” table, and the annual LTI 
opportunity for the CEO and Senior Executives has not changed.

Other changes to the LTI program in 2014 included:

 • introducing the S&P GEI as a second relative TSR comparator group for 25% of the grant in addition to the ASX 100 for the 

remaining 75%; and

 • amending the LTI vesting scale so that vesting commences at the 51st percentile of relative TSR performance, instead of at the  

50th percentile.

Further details are provided in relation to the LTI program on page 71.

Clawback

The share plan rules give the Company the discretion to lapse or forfeit unvested LTI and deferred STI awards, as well as claw back 
any vested shares or cash paid to an executive if the executive has acted dishonestly, fraudulently or in breach of material obligations. 
In 2014 the plan rules were broadened so that this discretion is also triggered if there is a material misstatement or omission in the 
accounts of a group company or there are events that require re-statement of the group’s financial accounts in circumstances where an 
LTI or deferred STI award would otherwise have been granted or would have vested.

This is in addition to any rights the Company has under the plan rules and general legal principles to seek to recover payments made in 
error.

56  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

REMuNERATION GOVERNANCE

People and Remuneration Committee

The People and Remuneration Committee (“Committee”) oversees and formulates recommendations to the Board on the remuneration 
policies and practices of the Company generally, including the remuneration of Non-executive Directors, the CEO and Senior Executives.

The Committee’s Charter can be viewed or downloaded from www.santos.com. In 2014, the Committee comprised the following 
independent Non-executive Directors:

 • GJW Martin (Committee Chair)

 • RA Franklin

 • KC Borda (Board Chairman)

 • JS Hemstritch

The CEO attends the parts of Committee meetings that do not involve discussion of his own arrangements. Other executives may also 
attend Committee meetings to provide management support.

External advisors and remuneration advice

In performing their roles, the Board and the Committee directly commission and receive information, advice and recommendations from 
independent external advisors. This assists the Directors to make informed decisions when considering the Company’s remuneration 
policies and practices.

The Board has adopted a protocol to formally record the process for engaging and seeking advice from remuneration consultants, which 
ensures remuneration recommendations in relation to KMPs are free from undue influence by management.

In 2013, Aon Hewitt (“Aon”) was approved by the Committee as a remuneration consultant and was engaged in accordance with the 
Board-approved protocol to provide remuneration recommendations. The terms of Aon’s engagement were finalised by the Chairman of 
the Committee and all remuneration recommendations were provided directly to the Committee Chair.

The Board is satisfied that the remuneration recommendations received from Aon during the year were free from undue influence. 
All communications between the Company and Aon in relation to the remuneration recommendations are subject to strict guidelines, 
including that information provided to Aon must not be selective or unbalanced, or imply that future work is contingent on Aon giving 
particular recommendations. In addition, Aon provided a declaration to the Committee that the remuneration recommendations it made 
were free from any undue influence from the Company’s KMPs.

The following table shows the fees payable to Aon in respect of 2014.

Table 2: Remuneration consultants

Remuneration consultant

Advice and/or services provided

Aon Hewitt

Remuneration recommendations (CEO and Senior Executive Remuneration)

Other remuneration-related work (benchmarking and market practice data)

fees

$48,972

$29,736

|  57

Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report
continued

Link between performance and remuneration 

STI

The Company’s performance against the 2014 STI scorecard as assessed by the Board resulted in a score of 78% however the Board, 
with the full support of the CEO, exercised its discretion and reduced the Company STI score to 58%. Table 3 below summarises the 
short-term objectives in the scorecard, their rationale and the Company’s performance against them.

Table 3: STI scorecard

Rationale

Performance

Score

19%

Santos’ safety record in 2014 
exceeded all targets with a Lost 
Time Injury Frequency Rate of 0.67, 
Safety Critical Maintenance of 99% 
and no environmental incidents of 
moderate or greater consequence.

The Company takes safety and  
the environment very seriously.  
The integrated targets represent  
the Company’s holistic approach 
aimed at reducing the number 
of injuries to employees and 
contractors, the likelihood of  
low frequency but high impact 
incidents, such as fires and 
explosions, and the incidence  
of significant environmental 
incidents. In addition, ongoing 
maintenance to facilities, plant  
and equipment is aimed  at 
providing a safe work environment.

Production is critical to the 
Company’s profitability, which is 
a key measure of the Company’s 
overall performance and underpins 
annual earnings and cash flow for 
distribution to shareholders and for 
re-investment for future growth.

For 2014, there was an increased 
weighting applied to profitability to 
recognise that prior year’s growth 
projects were now coming on-line 
and would be captured in the 
production and NPAT metrics. 

STI measure

Personnel safety

Measured by the number of 
lost-time injuries per million hours 
worked.

Process safety

Measured by the number of  
Tier 1 incidents of loss of 
containment of hydrocarbons 
and the level of Safety Critical 
Maintenance performed on plant 
and equipment in enclosed and 
open areas.

Environmental incidents

Measured by the number 
of environmental incidents 
of moderate or greater 
consequence.

Production

Underlying net profit after tax 
(“NPAT”) 

)

%
0
2
(
S
H
E

)

%
0
4
(
y
t
i
l
i

b
a
t
fi
o
r
P

58  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

Production of 54.1 mmboe was in 
line with the 2014 target and was 
6% above 2013.

2014 Underlying NPAT exceeded 
target. 

35%

 
 
STI measure

Project delivery

Progress against milestones in 
key projects (including GLNG, 
PNG LNG, Bonaparte LNG, 
Cooper Infrastructure Expansion 
program, Peluang and Dua) are 
identified and measured.

Reserves replacement  
& resource add

The volume of proven and 
probable (2P) reserves and 
contingent resources (2C)   
added by the Company 
organically (through exploration 
and exploitation efforts as 
opposed to acquisitions) 
compared to the volume of 
reserves used in the current 
year’s production. 

)

%
5
3
(
h
t
w
o
r
G

Rationale

Performance

Project delivery underpins the 
future production, growth and 
profitability of the Company.  
In the current climate of rising 
costs and large capital expenditure 
commitments, it is essential that 
the Company delivers its long-term 
projects on time and within budget 
to achieve future production.

The Company’s ability to replace the 
reserves it uses in production and 
to convert contingent resources 
into proven and probable reserves 
is critical to the long-term future of 
the Company.

l

e
u
a
v
r
e
h
t
O

)

%
5
(
d
d
a

Other value add

To capture any other 
achievements that were  
not covered by the rest  
of the specific objectives.

*reduced to 58% by Board discretion

The Company wishes to incentivise 
and reward high performance even 
though some achievements may 
not be captured in the scorecard.

Score

24%

0%

GLNG is >90% complete and on 
track for 1st LNG in the 2nd half 
of 2015. Key 2014 achievements 
included completion of all major gas 
field process facilities, completion of 
the 420-kilometre gas transmission 
pipeline, last placement of the  
111 LNG train modules, completion 
of the LNG loading jetty and 
hydrotesting of both LNG storage 
tanks.

Other development project targets 
were also achieved with PNG 
LNG online three months ahead 
of schedule, and Peluang and 
Dua online as planned. Bonaparte 
LNG did not proceed to Front End 
Engineering Design due to a review 
of alternative development options.

While the reserve replacement 
and resource add targets were 
not achieved in 2014, Santos still 
maintains a high level of 2P reserve 
to production ratio equivalent to  
23 years at the 2014 production rate 
of 54 mmboe.

Having regard to the loss in 
shareholder value due to the global 
oil price decline, the Board decided 
on balance not to allocate any score 
for this item.

Total

78%*

|  59

 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report
continued

LTI

The following figure outlines Santos’ TSR performance for the last 10 years.

figure 1: 10-year company performance history

TSR Of SANTOS ANd S&P/ASX 100 2005–2014
Index Level

300

250

200

150

100

50

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Santos Total Shareholder Return

2010
S&P/ASX 100 Index Total Return

2011

2012

2013

2014

Since 2008 and up to late-2014, Santos’ share price performed well in comparison to the ASX 100 Index. However, in line with the global 
oil price decline of more than 50% in 2014, the Company’s share price declined from a high of $15.19 to $8.25 as at 31 December 2014. 
This is reflected in the Company’s TSR for the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014 of -30.9% ranked at the 20th percentile 
against the ASX 100.

As a result, none of the performance-based SARs granted to the CEO and Senior Executives as part of the 2012–2014 LTI grant vested.

This reflects the alignment of the LTI program with the interests and long-term returns of shareholders.

More details about how performance targets are set and tested for the purposes of STI and LTI awards are set out in the section 
“Detailed information about linking Company performance to incentives” on pages 70 and 71.

Table 4 sets out the Company’s performance over the past five years in respect of several key financial and non-financial indicators and 
the STI and LTI awards during this period.

Table 4: Key metrics of company performance 2010–2014

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Injury frequency

total recordable case frequency rate

lost time injury frequency rate

Production (mmboe)

Reserve replacement rate – 2P organic (%)

Net profit/(loss) after tax $m

Dividends per ordinary share (cents)

3.3

0.9

49.9

330

498

42

3.3

1.2

47.2

173

751

30

5.0

0.7

52.1

136

518

30

3.8

0.6

51.0

3

516

30

Share price – closing price on first trading day of year

$14.29

$13.19

$12.34

$11.11

TSR percentile ranking relative to ASX100 –  
3-year performance to 31 December

LTI performance (% vesting) –  

shown against final year of performance period

Average STI paid (% of maximum)

87th

83%

78%

39th

0%

69%

33rd

0%

68%

46th

0%

60%

1.  Closing share price at 31 December 2014 was $8.25.

2.  Whilst the 2014 company performance result was 78%, the actual STI payout was reduced by the Board to 58%.

3.5

0.67

54.1

0

(935)

35

$14.631

20th

0%

58%2

60  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
CEO REMuNERATION

The People & Remuneration Committee directly engaged and received independent external advice on Mr Knox’s remuneration 
package, which was benchmarked against the remuneration paid to CEOs of peer companies in the oil and gas sector and closely 
related mining and engineering sectors. This advice was received and considered by the Committee and the Board without the CEO  
or management being present.

Details of the CEO’s 2014 remuneration arrangements are provided below in this overview of earnings:

fixed remuneration

What was the increase 
in the CEO’s fixed 
remuneration?

Short-term incentives

What was the 
maximum STI the  
CEO could receive?

How is performance 
assessed for STI 
purposes?

In 2014 Mr Knox’s TFR, including base salary and superannuation, increased by 3.0% from $2,351,250 to 
$2,421,787. In 2013 the CEO received no TFR increase.

Mr Knox has a maximum potential STI opportunity of 100% of his TFR, $2,421,787.

Mr Knox’s performance is assessed by the Board against: 

 • the Company scorecard (see Table 3 “STI scorecard” on page 58) for 75% of his award; and 

 • for the remaining 25%, a set of additional goals set by the Board at the beginning of the year, which may 

include the long-term vision of the Company, specific strategic objectives and organisational development. 

Mr Knox’s interests are therefore aligned with the Company’s and shareholders’ interests.

How much STI will the 
CEO receive in respect 
of 2014 performance?

Following assessment of Mr Knox’s performance, and recommendation from the Committee, which took 
into account the reduced Company STI score of 58%, the Board determined that Mr Knox’s STI for 2014 
performance would also be reduced to 58% of maximum. This has a total value equivalent to $1,404,600,  
70% ($983,200) will be paid in cash and the balance as Deferred STI shares. 

The difference between the actual STI determined by the Board and the CEO’s maximum STI potential will  
not be carried forward.

Long-term incentives

How much LTI was 
granted to the CEO in 
2014?

What proportion of 
prior year LTI grants 
vested in 2014?

In accordance with the approval of shareholders at the May 2014 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”), Mr Knox 
was granted:

 • 277,665 SARs with a three-year performance period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016; and

 • 283,264 SARs with a four-year performance period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017. 

The grants were issued on the terms of the annual LTI program outlined on page 71, with the same 
performance conditions.

Performance Award 

Nil. For the 4th consecutive year, the performance-based LTI award did not vest. 

The CEO’s annual LTI grant for 2011, with a performance period 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2013, was 
tested in early 2014. As the performance hurdle was not achieved, there was no vesting and the entire grant 
was forfeited. 

The testing of the 2012 LTI grant with a performance period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014 occurred in 
early 2015. As the performance hurdle was not achieved, again there was no vesting and the entire grant was 
forfeited.

|  61

Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report
continued

Service agreement and termination entitlements

The Company entered into a service agreement with the CEO on 28 July 2008, which is ongoing until termination by the CEO or the 
Company.

The service agreement provides that the Company may terminate the CEO’s employment on giving 12 months’ notice. Where the 
Company exercises this general right to terminate, it must make a payment to the CEO equivalent to his TFR for the full notice period. 
Pro-rata STI entitlements, subject to performance, will apply to the date of termination and the Board retains discretion to vest any 
outstanding LTI, having regard to performance and reasons for termination.

The Company may terminate the CEO’s employment without notice at any time for cause. No payment in lieu of notice, or any payment 
in respect of STI or LTI is payable under the agreement in this circumstance.

Mr Knox may initiate termination of his service agreement by giving the Company six months’ notice, in which case he will be entitled  
to payment of TFR in respect of the notice period, and pro-rata STI to the date of termination subject to performance. The Board 
retains discretion to vest any outstanding LTI, having regard to performance and reasons for termination. Mr Knox may also initiate 
termination of his service agreement immediately if there is a fundamental change in his role or responsibilities without his consent. 
In this circumstance the service agreement provides for payment of 12 months’ TFR, full STI for the year in which employment is 
terminated, and a pro-rata portion of the following year’s STI, subject to current year performance. Pro-rata vesting of outstanding  
LTI will apply, based on the expired portion of the performance period and performance achieved to the termination date.

Mr Knox’s termination arrangements were approved at the Company’s AGM in May 2012. Under that approval on cessation of  
Mr Knox‘s employment, the Board has discretion to vest or leave on foot any unvested deferred STI.

SENIOR EXECuTIVE REMuNERATION

Overview of 2014 earnings

fixed remuneration

What was the increase 
in Senior Executives’ 
fixed remuneration?

Senior Executives’ TFR increases as part of the annual 2014 salary review were between 3.0%–3.5%. 

Remuneration details for each individual are provided in Table 7: “2013 and 2014 Senior Executive remuneration 
details” on page 66.

How were 
remuneration increases 
determined? 

Senior Executives’ TFR increases were determined with reference to the market for similar roles, taking into 
account individuals’ skills, experience and performance, in peer companies in the oil and gas sector and closely 
related mining and engineering sectors.

Short-term incentives

What was the 
maximum STI Senior 
Executives could 
receive?

How were STI 
payments calculated? 

As outlined in last year’s report, the maximum STI opportunity of Senior Executives was increased, in response 
to independent external benchmarking that showed that the STI opportunity for the Company’s executives 
lagged that of their peers. All Senior Executives had a maximum STI opportunity of 85% of their TFR in 2014.

To promote collaboration among Senior Executives and to focus their efforts towards the overall benefit of 
the Company, 60% of their STI was based on Company performance. The remaining 40% was based on each 
executive’s individual performance against business; operational; financial and qualitative objectives such as 
specific business units Environment, Health and Safety, and production and profitability targets as well as 
leadership and staff development measures.

How was performance 
assessed for STI 
purposes?

Company performance is assessed by the Committee against the overall Company annual scorecard  
(see Table 3: “STI scorecard” on page 58 and the section “Detailed Information about Linking Company 
Performance to Incentives” on pages 70 and 71). 

How much STI will 
Senior Executives 
receive in respect of 
2014 performance?

The individual performance of Senior Executives is assessed by the CEO against targets set within their own 
area of responsibility. The targets may consist of delivery of key project milestones and production and cost 
targets. The CEO’s assessment is reviewed and endorsed by the Committee.

The Company’s performance against the 2014 STI scorecard as assessed by the Board resulted in a score of 
78%. However the Board, with the full support of the CEO, exercised its discretion and reduced the Company 
STI score to 58%. 

STI awards made to individual Senior Executives range from 55% to 65% of maximum, depending on each 
executive’s individual performance assessment (see Table 7: “2013 and 2014 Senior Executive remuneration 
details” on page 66). 

The difference between the actual STI endorsed by the Committee and maximum STI potential will not be 
carried forward.

62  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

Long-term incentives

How much LTI was 
granted to Senior 
Executives in 2014?

What are the 
performance 
conditions?

What proportion of 
prior year LTI grants 
vested in 2014?

In 2014, all Senior Executives received an LTI award equivalent to 60% of TFR for the three- and four-year 
performance periods ending on 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2017, respectively. As explained in the 
‘Remuneration Policy and Framework’ section on page 56, the transitional three-year grant was made to avoid 
a ‘gap’ in annual vesting opportunity caused by the shift to four-year performance periods.

Vesting is based on the Company’s relative TSR performance over the relevant performance period. The 
comparator group for 75% of each grant is the ASX 100 and the comparator group for the remaining 25% is 
the S&P GEI. See the vesting schedule provided in the section “Detailed Information about Linking Company 
Performance to Incentives” on pages 70 and 71.

Performance Award 

Nil. For the 4th consecutive year, the performance based LTI award did not vest. 

The 2011 LTI grant, with a performance period 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2013, was tested in early 2014.  
As the performance hurdle was not achieved, there was no vesting of the grant and this was forfeited. 

The testing of the 2012 LTI grant, with a performance period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014, occurred in 
early 2015. As the performance hurdle was not achieved, again there was no vesting of the grant and this was 
forfeited. 

Deferred Award 

Grants of deferred rights awarded in 2011 vested on 11 March 2014 and are shown in Table 1: “Actually Realised 
remuneration (non-IFRS)” on page 54, Table 7: “2013 and 2014 Senior Executive remuneration details” on  
page 66 and Table 9: “2014 SARs outcomes for Senior Executives” on page 67. Since 2012, the Company has 
only awarded performance-based SARs as LTI. Accordingly, there are no further deferred rights on foot.

Service agreements and termination entitlements

The Company has entered into service agreements with the Senior Executives. For all existing Senior Executives, the service 
agreements are ongoing until termination by the Company upon giving 12 months’ notice, or by the Senior Executive giving six months’ 
notice. For new Senior Executives, the periods have been reduced so that employment may be terminated by both the Company and 
Senior Executive upon giving six months’ notice. In a Company-initiated termination, the Company may make a payment in lieu of notice 
equivalent to the TFR the Senior Executive would have received over the notice period. All Senior Executives’ service agreements may 
be terminated immediately for cause, whereupon no payments in lieu of notice or other termination payments are payable under the 
agreement.

|  63

Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report
continued

AT-RISK REMuNERATION SuMMARy

At-risk remuneration

A higher proportion of the CEO’s total remuneration package is “at risk” relative to that of the Senior Executives because the CEO has 
the greatest scope to personally influence the Company’s performance.

Table 5: Relative weightings of remuneration components for CEO and Senior Executives1

CEO

Senior Executives

2014

2013

2014

2013

At-risk Remuneration

fixed remuneration

STI2

33.33%

33.33%

40.80%

47.60%

33.33%

33.33%

34.70%

23.80%

LTI

33.33%

33.33%

24.50%

28.60%

Total

100%

100%

100%

100%

1 

 These figures do not reflect the actual relative value derived by the Executive from each of the components, which is dependent on actual performance against targets for the “at risk” 
components. The figures represent the maximum potential of each component.

2  Also includes deferred STI component.

NON-EXECuTIVE dIRECTOR REMuNERATION

Remuneration policy

The diagram below shows the key objectives of Santos’ Non-executive Director remuneration policy and how these are implemented 
through the Company’s remuneration framework.

SECuRING ANd RETAINING 
TALENTEd, QuALIfIEd dIRECTORS

PROMOTING INdEPENdENCE  
ANd IMPARTIALITy

ALIGNING dIRECTOR ANd 
SHAREHOLdER INTERESTS

Fee levels are set with regard to:

 • time commitment and workload;

 • the risk and responsibility  
attached to the role;

 • experience and expertise; and

 • market benchmarking.

 • Fee levels do not vary according 
to the performance of the 
Company or individual Director 
performance from year to year.

 • Santos’ market capitalisation  

is considered in setting the 
aggregate fee pool and in 
benchmarking of Board and 
Committee fees.

 • Santos encourages its  

Non-Executive directors  
to build a long-term stake  
in the Company and established 
a Minimum Shareholding 
Requirement of 15,000 shares  
for all Non-executive Directors 
within three-years.

 • Non-executive Directors  

can acquire shares through 
acquisition on market during 
trading windows.

Maximum aggregate amount

Total fees paid to all Non-executive Directors in a year, including Board Committee fees, must not exceed $2,600,000, being the amount 
approved by shareholders at the 2013 AGM.

Directors may also be paid additional fees for special duties or exertions, and are entitled to be reimbursed for all business-related 
expenses. No additional fees were paid during the year.

Remuneration

The Directors resolved to defer indefinitely a 4% average fee increase, which would otherwise have taken effect from 1 October 2014.

Remuneration details for the Non-executive Directors are provided in Table 11: “2013 and 2014 Non-executive Director remuneration 
details” on page 69.

64  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

fee structure

Table 6: Non-executive directors’ fees per annum1 

Board

Audit & Risk Committee

Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee

Finance Committee

Nomination Committee2

People and Remuneration Committee

1  Fees are shown exclusive of superannuation.

Chair2

$503,550

$42,000

$22,000

$22,000

N/A

$30,000

Member

$167,550

$21,000

$15,000

$15,000

$10,000

$16,000

2 

 The Chair of the Board does not receive any additional fees for serving on or chairing any Board committee. The Chair of the Board is the Chair of the Nomination Committee, in accordance 
with its Charter.

Superannuation and retirement benefits

Superannuation contributions are made on behalf of Non-executive Directors in accordance with the requirements of the Company’s 
statutory superannuation obligations. Non-executive Directors are not entitled to retirement benefits (other than mandatory statutory 
entitlements).

|  65

Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report
continued

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66  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 8 contains details of the number and value of SARs granted, vested and lapsed for Mr Knox in 2014. Mr Knox did not have any 
options granted, vesting or lapsing in 2014. Mr Knox did not exercise any options in 2014.

Table 8: 2014 SARs outcomes for CEO

SARs

Granted

Vested

Lapsed

Number

Maximum  
value1

560,9293

4,648,5843

Number

–

Value

–

Number

(193,935)

Value2

(1,599,964)

1. 

 Maximum value represents the fair-value of LTI grants received in 2014 determined in accordance with AASB 2 Share-based payments. The fair-values of the grants as at the grant date  
of 29 May 2014 were $8.03 and $8.28 (weighted $8.09) for the transitional three-year grants, and $8.41 and $8.70 (weighted $8.48) for the four-year grants. Details of the assumptions 
underlying the valuations are set out in note 29 to the financial statements. The minimum total value of the grant, if the applicable vesting conditions are not met, is nil in all cases.

2.   The value of performance based SARs in respect of the performance period ended 31 December 2014 at the closing share price on that date of $8.25, for which nil vesting was effected by the 

Board on 17 February 2015.

3.  The number and fair-value of the SARs granted in 2014 is higher than previous years due to the transitionary three-year grant, see explanation at page 56.

Table 9 contains details of the number and value of SARs granted, vested and lapsed for Senior Executives in 2014. No Senior Executive 
had any options granted, vesting or lapsing in 2014. No options were exercised in 2014.

Table 9: 2014 SARs outcomes for Senior Executives

JH Anderson

JL Baulderstone

TJ Brown

AJ Seaton

Total

Granted

Vested

Lapsed

Number1

98,9485

107,7195

100,7405

107,1105

414,517

Maximum  
value2

695,0465

756,6565

707,6345

752,3795

2,911,715

Number

6,159

6,621

6,025

5,167

Value3

86,226

92,694

84,350

72,338

Number

(40,274)

(42,737)

(38,536)

(44,302)

Value4

(332,261)

(352,580)

(317,922)

(365,492)

23,972

335,608

(165,849)

(1,368,255)

1. 

 The grants made to the Senior Executives during the year constitute their full LTI awards for the three- and four-year performance periods ending on 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2017, 
respectively.

2.   Maximum value represents the fair-value of the SARs as at the grant date of 9 April 2014, determined in accordance with AASB 2 Share-based payments. The fair values of the grants as at the 
grant date of 9 April 2014 were $6.55 and $6.68 (weighted $6.65) for the transitional three-year grants and $7.37 and $7.40 (weighted $7.39) for the four-year grants. Monte Carlo simulation 
was used to determine the value of the SARs granted. Details of the assumptions underlying the valuation are set out in note 29 to the financial statements. The minimum total value of the 
grant, if the applicable vesting conditions are not met, is nil in all cases.

3.  These figures show the value of service-based SARs, which vested on 11 March 2014 at a closing share price of $14.00.

4.   These figures show the value of performance-based SARs in respect of the performance period ended 31 December 2014 at the closing share price on that date of $8.25, for which nil vesting 

was effected by the Board on 17 February 2014.

5.  The number and fair-value of the SARs granted in 2014 is higher than previous years due to the transitionary three-year grant, see explanation at page 56.

|  67

Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report
continued

Table 10 outlines the LTI grants that were tested or still in progress in 2014.

Table 10: LTI grants

Grant year Grant type

Vesting condition(s)

Performance/ 
vesting period

Status

2011

Performance award

Relative TSR performance 
against ASX 100 companies

1 January 2011  
to 31 December 2013

Testing completed. Resulted 
in 0% of the grant vesting.

Deferred award

Continuous service

2 March 2011  
to 1 March 2014

2012

CEO Strategy grant

See note 29(d) to the 
financial statements

See note 29(d) to the 
financial statements

Vested in full to Senior 
Executives who met the 
service condition

In progress

2013

2014

Performance award

Performance award

Three-year transitionary 
Performance award

Four-year Performance 
award

Relative TSR performance 
against ASX 100 companies

1 January 2012  
to 31 December 2014

Testing completed. Resulted 
in 0% of the grant vesting.

Relative TSR performance 
against ASX 100 companies

1 January 2013  
to 31 December 2015

Relative TSR performance 
against ASX 100 companies 
(75%) and S&P GEI (25%)

Relative TSR performance 
against ASX 100 companies 
(75%) and S&P GEI (25%) 

1 January 2014  
to 31 December 2016

1 January 2014  
to 31 December 2017

In progress

In progress

In progress

Full details of all grants made prior to 2014 can be found in note 29 to the financial statements and in prior remuneration reports.

68  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

Details of the fees and other benefits paid to Non-executive Directors in 2014 are set out in Table 11. No share-based payments were 
made to any Non-executive Directors.

Table 11: 2013 and 2014 Non-executive director remuneration details

Short-term benefits

directors’ 
fees (incl. 
Committee 
fees)

fees for  
special duties  
or exertions

Retirement 
benefits

Other Superannuation10

Share-based 
payments

$

35,314

–

503,046

382,727

186,517

286,249

213,046

223,584

222,066

211,102

203,623

183,790

72,387

203,568

225,046

198,584

240,046

217,658

166,537

–

$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

$

3,355

–

18,279

17,122

17,492

16,410

18,279

17,122

1,259

1,325

786

680

6,715

17,122

18,279

17,122

18,279

17,122

600

–

$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

$

38,669

–

521,325

399,849

204,009

302,659

231,325

240,706

223,325

212,427

204,409

184,470

79,102

220,690

243,325

215,706

258,325

234,780

167,137

–

director

YA Allen1

KC Borda2

PR Coates3

KA Dean4

RA Franklin

H Goh5

RM Harding6

JS Hemstritch7

GJW Martin8

SD Sheffield9

year

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

1  Ms Allen was appointed a Director and became a member of the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee (“EHSS”) Committee on 22 October 2014.

2  Mr Borda became Chair of the Board on 10 May 2013.

3  Mr Coates retired from the position of Chair of the Board on 10 May 2013. However, he remained a Director of the Board. He became a member of the EHSS Committee on 14 May 2014.

4  Mr Dean ceased to be Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee as at 1 January 2014.

5  Mr Goh became a member of the Audit & Risk Committee on 22 October 2014.

6  Mr Harding retired from the Board on 16 May 2014.

7  Ms Hemstritch became Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee on 1 January 2014.

8  Mr Martin became a member of the Audit & Risk Committee and Chair of the Finance Committee in August 2013.

9  Mr Sheffield was appointed as a Director on 24 February 2014 and became a member of the Finance Committee on 14 May 2014.

10  Includes superannuation guarantee payments. Superannuation guarantee payments are made to Mr Franklin, Mr Goh and Mr Sheffield only in relation to days worked in Australia.

|  69

 
Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report
continued

dETAILEd INfORMATION ABOuT LINKING COMPANy PERfORMANCE TO INCENTIVES

Short-term incentives

How are the 
Company’s short-term 
performance targets 
determined?

What is measured 
in the Company’s 
annual performance 
scorecard?

The Company’s short-term performance targets comprise a combination of strategic, financial and operational 
targets, all of which are agreed with the Board and directly related to Santos’ strategic plan. These are 
captured in the Company’s annual performance scorecard.

The Company scorecard includes a range of Company performance measures used to drive balanced business 
performance. These measures include lagging indicators to assess the Company’s past performance, as well 
as forward-looking indicators to ensure the Company is positioning itself effectively for future growth.

As described in Table 3: “STI scorecard” on page 58, the areas covered by the scorecard include:

How is Company 
performance 
assessed?

 • environment, health, safety and sustainability (20% weighting);

 • profitability, namely production and NPAT (40% weighting);

 • growth, namely project delivery, reserves replacement and resources add (35% weighting); and

 • other value add, namely other achievements not specifically captured in the scorecard (5% weighting).

The Board believes that this scorecard is balanced and focuses CEO and Senior Executive attention on 
achieving the key conditions and milestones necessary to deliver Santos’ strategic plan.

Company performance is formally assessed by the Committee against the overall Company scorecard at the 
end of each financial year, and this forms the basis of a recommendation to the Board.

Each metric is assessed against an agreed target and assigned a percentage weighting of the total scorecard. 
The actual versus target performance of each metric is assigned a score between 0% and 100%. The 
weightings are then applied to these scores to derive a rating for that metric. The sum of each metric’s rating 
is used to determine the Company’s overall performance score.

The Board believes the above method of assessment is rigorous and provides a balanced assessment of the 
Company’s performance.

How does Company 
performance impact 
the STI program?

Firstly, the Company’s overall performance score sets the budget available for STI allocations across the 
organisation in respect of that performance year. This is calculated by applying the percentage performance 
score to the maximum potential STIs of all eligible employees.

Secondly, the Company’s overall performance score contributes to the actual STI payment made to individuals 
in a given year. For the CEO, the Company performance outcome determines 75% of his STI payment. 
The other 25% is based on performance against additional goals. For Senior Executives, the Company 
performance outcome determines 60% of their STI payments. The other 40% is based on their individual 
performance assessments.

Finally, from 2014, 30% of the STI award for the CEO and Senior Executives will be delivered in the form of 
Deferred STI shares subject to a two-year deferral period. This ensures that the CEO and Senior Executives 
remain exposed to changes in the share price between the date of grant and the date of vesting, and 
promotes long-term performance in alignment with long-term shareholder returns.

70  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

Long-term incentives

How are  
long-term incentives 
linked to Company 
performance? 

LTI aligns the rewards received by the CEO and Senior Executives with the longer-term performance of 
Santos relative to other ASX 100 companies and international energy sector peers. Recipients also have the 
opportunity to grow the long-term value of their LTI by delivering results for the Company that increase the 
share price.

All 2014 LTI grants were solely performance based, ensuring further alignment with shareholder interests.

How is LTI awarded?

All LTI grants are delivered in the form of SARs, i.e. a conditional entitlement to a fully paid ordinary share at 
zero price subject to satisfaction of the performance condition. Nothing is payable by Executives if and when 
SARs vest. For SARs granted since 2012, the Board has discretion to settle them in cash if they vest.

What is the 
performance period?

SARs issued under the annual LTI program after 2014 will have a four-year performance period. This 
period represents an appropriate balance between providing a genuine and foreseeable incentive to Senior 
Executives and fostering a long-term view of shareholder interests.

What performance 
hurdles are applied to 
the LTI?

Why has relative 
TSR been chosen as 
the company’s LTI 
performance hurdle?

Vesting of the 2014 LTI grants is based on the Company’s relative TSR against the companies comprising the 
ASX 100 (75%) and S&P GEI (25%) on 1 January 2014. The Board has discretion to adjust the comparator 
group; for example, to take account of takeovers, mergers and demergers that occur during the performance 
period. Relative TSR performance is tested by an independent third party and reviewed by the Board prior to 
vesting.

The Board believes that relative TSR effectively aligns the interests of individual Executives with that of 
the Company’s shareholders by motivating Executives to achieve superior shareholder outcomes relative to 
Santos’ competitors for investor capital and its energy sector peers. TSR takes into account share price and 
dividend yield and is, therefore, a robust and objective measure of shareholder returns. Individual LTI awards  
in 2014 were divided so that the TSR hurdle for 75% of the award is measured relative to companies in the 
ASX 100 and 25% is measured against companies in the S&P GEI.

Why have the ASX 100 
and S&P Global Energy 
Index been chosen?

The ASX 100 represents the companies in which most of the Company’s shareholders would invest as an 
alternative to Santos. If Santos performs well relative to these companies, it means that Santos shareholders’ 
investments have performed well relative to alternative investments.

The S&P GEI was chosen as a second comparator group because the global energy market is of increasing 
relevance to Santos. Many of the companies that comprise the S&P GEI have oil and gas operations and are 
likely to be affected by similar global cyclical issues as Santos. Santos’ major competitors are included in the 
index, along with other leading industry players based in various countries.

How is vesting 
determined?

Vesting of the 2014 LTI grants will be in accordance with the following schedule:

TSR percentile ranking 

% of grant vesting

<51st percentile

=51st percentile

52nd to 75th percentile

0%

50%

Further 2% for each percentile improvement above  
the 50th percentile

76th to 100th percentile

100%

This vesting scale applies to both the CEO and Senior Executives’ annual LTI grants. There is no re-testing  
of the performance condition. SARs that do not vest upon testing of the performance condition will lapse.

When can vested 
SARs be traded?

Upon vesting of SARs, shares will automatically be allocated to the Executive. Trading in these shares is 
subject to compliance with the Company’s Securities Trading Policy.

As a result of changes to the Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations the information that follows in the tables overleaf 
was in prior years included as notes in the financial statements.

|  71

Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report
continued

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|  73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report

directors’ Report
continued

INdEMNIfICATION

Rule 61 of the Company’s Constitution provides that the Company indemnifies, on a full indemnity basis and to the full extent permitted 
by law, officers of the Company for all losses or liabilities incurred by the person as an officer of the Company, a related body corporate 
or trustee of a company-sponsored superannuation fund. Rule 61 does not indemnify an officer for any liability involving a lack of good 
faith. 

Rule 61 also permits the Company to purchase and maintain a Directors’ and Officers’ insurance policy. 

In conformity with Rule 61, the Company is party to Deeds of Indemnity in favour of each of the Directors referred to in this report who 
held office during the year and certain Senior Executives of the consolidated entity. The indemnities operate to the full extent permitted 
by law and are not subject to a monetary limit. Santos is not aware of any liability having arisen, and no claims have been made, during or 
since the financial year ending 31 December 2014 under the Deeds of Indemnity.

During the year, the Company paid premiums in respect of Directors’ and Officers’ Liability and Legal Expenses insurance contracts for 
the year ended 31 December 2014 and since the end of the year the Company has paid, or agreed to pay, premiums in respect of such 
contracts for the year ending 31 December 2015. The insurance contracts insure against certain liability (subject to exclusions), persons 
who are or have been directors or officers of the Company and its controlled entities. A condition of the contracts is that the nature of 
the liability indemnified and the premium payable not be disclosed.

NON-AudIT SERVICES

During the year the Company’s auditor, Ernst & Young, was paid the following amounts in relation to non-audit services it provided:

Taxation and other services 

Assurance services 

$116,000

$798,000

The Directors are satisfied, based on the advice of the Audit & Risk Committee, that the provision of the non-audit services detailed 
above by Ernst & Young is compatible with the general standard of independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act. 

The reason for forming this opinion is that all non-audit services have been reviewed by the Audit & Risk Committee to ensure they do 
not impact the impartiality and objectivity of the auditor.

A copy of the auditor’s independence declaration as required under Section 307C of the Corporations Act is set out on page 156.

ROuNdING

Australian Securities and Investments Commission Class Order 98/100, dated 10 July 1998, applies to the Company. Accordingly, 
amounts have been rounded off in accordance with that Class Order, unless otherwise indicated.

This report is made out on 20 February 2015 in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

director 

director

74  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
Financial Report

Inventories

Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidated Income Statement
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Contents
  75  Financial Report
  76 
  77 
  78  
  79  
  80  
  81  
  81  
  95  
  98  
 100  
 101  
 102  
 103  
 103  
 104  
 104  
 105  
 106  
 107  
 107  
 109  
 109  
 110  
 113  
 113  
 114  
 115  
 116  
 117  
 118  
 119  
 120  
 124  
 125  
 128  
 141  
 141  
 141  
 142  
 143  
 144  
 145  
 148  
 153  
 154  
 155  
Independent Auditor’s Report
 156   Auditor’s Independence Declaration

1 
2   Segment information
3   Revenue and Other Income
4   Expenses
5   Net Finance Costs
6   Taxation Expense
7   Cash and Cash Equivalents
8   Trade and Other Receivables
9  
10   Other Financial Assets
11   Exploration and Evaluation Assets
12   Oil and Gas Assets
13   Other Land, Buildings, Plant and Equipment
14  
Impairment of Non-current Assets
15   Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
16   Trade and Other Payables
17  
18   Provisions
19   Other Financial Liabilities
20  
21   Reserves and Retained Earnings
22   Dividends
23   Earnings per Share
24   Consolidated Entities
25   Acquisitions and Disposals of Subsidiaries
26  
27   Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows
28   Employee Benefits
29   Share-based Payment Plans
30   Key Management Personnel Disclosures
31   Related Parties
32   Remuneration of Auditors
33   Commitments for Expenditure
34   Contingent Liabilities
35   Parent Entity Disclosures
36   Deed of Cross Guarantee
37   Financial Risk Management
38   Events After the End of the Reporting Period
Directors’ Declaration

Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings

Joint Arrangements

Issued Capital

|  75

Financial Report

Consolidated Income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2014

Product sales   
Cost of sales   

Gross profit   
Other revenue 
Other income  
Impairment of non-current assets 
Other expenses 
Finance income 
Finance costs  
Share of net profit of joint ventures 

(Loss)/profit before tax 

Income tax benefit/(expense) 
Royalty-related taxation benefit/(expense) 

Total taxation benefit/(expense) 

net (loss)/profit for the period 

net (loss)/profit attributable to: 
owners of santos Limited 
non-controlling interests 

earnings per share attributable to the  
equity holders of santos Limited (¢) 
Basic (loss)/earnings per share 

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share 

Dividends per share (¢) 
Paid during the period 

Declared in respect of the period 

Note 

3 
4 

3 
3 
4 
4 
5 
5 
26(b) 

6 
6 

23 

23 

22 

22 

2014 
$million 

4,037 
(2,899) 

1,138 
62 
12 
(2,356) 
(320) 
19  
(116) 
17 

(1,544) 

482 
127 

609 

(935) 

(935) 
– 

(935) 

(95.6) 

(95.6) 

35 

35 

2013 
$million

3,602
(2,505)

1,097
49
24
(26)
(272)
45
(62)
14

869

(296)
(57)

(353)

516

516
–

516

53.3

53.0

30

30

The consolidated income statement is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

76  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 December 2014

net (loss)/profit for the period 

other comprehensive income, net of tax: 

Other comprehensive income to be reclassified  
to profit or loss in subsequent periods: 

Exchange gain on translation of foreign operations 
Tax effect 

Loss on foreign currency loans designated as hedges of  

net investments in foreign operations 

Tax effect 

Loss on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges 
Tax effect 

net other comprehensive income to be reclassified  

to profit or loss in subsequent periods 

Items not to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods: 

Remeasurement of defined benefit obligation 
Tax effect 

net other comprehensive income not being reclassified  

to profit or loss in subsequent periods 

other comprehensive income, net of tax 

total comprehensive (loss)/income 

total comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to: 

owners of santos Limited 
non-controlling interests 

Note 

2014 
$million 

(935) 

2013 
$million

516 

6 

21 

6 

21 

6 

21 

28 
6 

21 

623 
– 

623 

(450) 
135 

(315) 

(13) 
4 

(9) 

299 

– 
– 

– 

– 

299 

(636) 

(636) 
– 

(636) 

768
(1)

767

(433)
130

(303)

(5)
1

(4)

460

20
(6)

14

14

474

990

990
–

990

The consolidated statement of comprehensive income is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

|  77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

Consolidated statement of Financial Position
as at 31 December 2014

Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Prepayments   
Inventories 
Other financial assets 
Tax receivable  

total current assets 

non-current assets 
Receivables 
Prepayments   
Investments in joint ventures 
Other financial assets 
Exploration and evaluation assets 
Oil and gas assets 
Other land, buildings, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax assets 

total non-current assets 

total assets   

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Deferred income 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
Current tax liabilities 
Provisions 
Other financial liabilities 

total current liabilities 

non-current liabilities 
Deferred income 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Provisions 
Other financial liabilities 

total non-current liabilities 

total liabilities 

net assets 

equity 
Issued capital   
Reserves  
Retained earnings 

Equity attributable to owners of Santos Limited 
Non-controlling interests 

total equity 

Note 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

7 
8 

9 
10 

8 

26 
10 
11 
12 
13 
15 

16 

17 

18 
19 

17 
15 
18 
19 

20 
21 
21 

775 
633 
91 
443 
66 
57 

644
793
202
419
3
17

2,065 

2,078

10 
189 
97 
166 
1,106 
18,422 
267 
23 

20,280 

22,345 

1,382 
51 
327 
14 
169 
3 

1,946 

150 
7,925 
594 
2,136 
181 

10,986 

12,932 

9,413 

6,905 
346 
2,166 

9,417 
(4) 

9,413 

31
96
110
236
1,964
15,823
259
12

18,531

20,609

1,235
91
189
22
185
4

1,726

82
5,582
1,227
1,748
32

8,671

10,397

10,212

6,749
47
3,420

10,216
(4)

10,212

The consolidated statement of financial position is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

78  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 December 2014

Note 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

Cash flows from operating activities 
Receipts from customers 
Interest received  
Overriding royalties received 
Insurance proceeds received 
Dividends received 
Pipeline tariffs and other receipts 
Income taxes refunded 
Royalty-related taxation refunded 
Payments to suppliers and employees 
Exploration and evaluation – seismic and studies 
Royalty and excise paid 
Borrowing costs paid 
Carbon costs paid 
Income taxes paid 
Overriding royalty costs 
Royalty-related taxation paid 

net cash provided by operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Payments for:  

Exploration and evaluation assets 
Oil and gas assets 
Other land, buildings, plant and equipment 
Acquisitions of exploration and evaluation assets 
Acquisitions of oil and gas assets 
Acquisitions of controlled entities 
Proceeds from disposal of oil and gas assets  
Income taxes paid on disposal of non-current assets 
Borrowing costs paid 
Other investing activities 

net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Dividends paid 
Drawdown of borrowings 
Repayment of borrowings 
Proceeds from issues of ordinary shares 

net cash provided by financing activities 

27 

25 
3 

net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 
Effects of exchange rate changes on the balances of cash held in foreign currencies 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 

7 

4,399 
18 
11 
5 
18 
130 
30 
– 
(2,222) 
(150) 
(97) 
(49) 
(52) 
(145) 
(4) 
(49) 

1,843 

(455) 
(2,834) 
(52) 
– 
(33) 
(8) 
1 
– 
(223) 
(7) 

(3,611) 

(196) 
2,167 
(86) 
10 

1,895 

127 
644 
4 

775 

The consolidated statement of cash flows is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

3,726
54
12
1
14
67
26
22
(1,785)
(109)
(83)
–
(41)
(214)
(4)
(58)

1,628

(472)
(3,514)
(51)
(143)
(62)
–
46
(8)
(218)
3

(4,419)

(157)
1,432
(22)
9

1,262

(1,529)
2,147
26

644

|  79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

Consolidated statement of Changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2014

equity attributable to owners of santos Limited 

Issued translation 
reserve 
capital 
$million 
$million 

Hedging  Retained 
earnings 
reserve 
$million 
$million 

note 

non-
total  controlling 
interests 
$million 

equity 
$million 

total 
equity 
$million

Balance at 1 January 2013 
Profit for the period 
Other comprehensive income/(loss)  

for the period 

Total comprehensive income/(loss)  

for the period 

Transactions with owners in their  
capacity as owners: 

Shares issued 
Dividends to shareholders 
Share-based payment transactions 

20 
22 
29 

Balance at 31 December 2013 

Balance at 1 January 2014 
Loss for the period 
Other comprehensive income/(loss)  

for the period 

Total comprehensive income/(loss)  

for the period 

Transactions with owners in their  
capacity as owners: 

Shares issued 
Dividends to shareholders 
Share-based payment transactions 

20 
22 
29 

6,608 
– 

– 

– 

141 
– 
– 

6,749 

6,749 
– 

– 

– 

156 
– 
– 

(407) 
– 

464 

(6) 
– 

(4) 

3,163 
516 

9,358 
516 

(4) 
– 

9,354
516

14 

474 

464 

(4) 

530 

990 

– 
– 
– 

57 

57 
– 

308 

– 
– 
– 

– 
(289) 
16 

141 
(289) 
16 

(10) 

3,420 

10,216 

(4) 

10,212

3,420 
(935) 

10,216 
(935) 

(4) 
– 

10,212
(935)

(10) 
– 

(9) 

– 

299 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

474

990

141
(289)
16

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

299

(636)

156
(341)
22

308 

(9) 

(935) 

(636) 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
(341) 
22 

156 
(341) 
22 

Balance at 31 December 2014 

6,905 

365 

(19) 

2,166 

9,417 

(4) 

9,413

The consolidated statement of changes in equity is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

80  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes

The consolidated financial report of Santos 
Limited (“the Company”) for the year 
ended 31 December 2014 was authorised 
for issue in accordance with a resolution of 
the Directors on 20 February 2015.

The consolidated financial report of the 
Company for the year ended 31 December 
2014 comprises the Company and its 
controlled entities (“the Group”). Santos 
Limited (the parent) is a company limited 
by shares incorporated in Australia, whose 
shares are publicly traded on the Australian 
Securities Exchange (“ASX”) and is the 
ultimate parent entity in the Group. The 
Group is a for-profit entity for the purpose 
of preparing the financial report. The nature 
of the operations and principal activities of 
the Group are described in the Directors’ 
Report.

(a)  statement of compliance

 The consolidated financial report is a 
general purpose financial report which 
has been prepared in accordance with 
the requirements of the Corporations 
Act 2001, Australian Accounting 
Standards and other authoritative 
pronouncements of the Australian 
Accounting Standards Board 
(“AASB”). The consolidated financial 
report complies with Australian 
Accounting Standards as issued by 
the AASB and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as 
issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board.

(b)  Basis of preparation

 The consolidated financial report is 
presented in Australian dollars.

 The consolidated financial report 
is prepared on the historical cost 
basis, except for derivative financial 
instruments, fixed rate notes that are 
hedged by an interest rate swap or a 
cross-currency swap, and available-
for-sale financial assets, which are 
measured at fair value.

 The Company is of a kind referred  
to in ASIC Class Order 98/100 dated  
10 July 1998 (updated by Class Order 
05/641 effective 28 July 2005), and 
in accordance with that Class Order 
amounts in the consolidated financial 

report and Directors’ Report have 
been rounded to the nearest million 
dollars, unless otherwise stated.

 Changes in accounting policies and 
disclosures 

 The Group applied the following 
mandatory amendments to accounting 
standards applicable for the first time 
for the financial year beginning  
1 January 2014:

 • AASB 2011-4 Amendments to 

Australian Accounting Standards 
to Remove Individual Key 
Management Personnel 
Disclosure Requirements;

 • AASB 1053 Application of Tiers of 
Australian Accounting Standards;

 • AASB 2012-3 Amendments to 

Australian Accounting Standards 
– Offsetting Financial Assets and 
Financial Liabilities;

 • AASB 2013-3 Amendments to 

AASB 136 – Recoverable Amount 
Disclosures for Non-Financial 
Assets;

 • AASB 2013-4 Amendments to 

Australian Accounting Standards 
– Novation of Derivatives and 
Continuation of Hedge Accounting;

 • AASB 2013-5 Amendments to 

Australian Accounting Standards 
– Investment Entities;

 • AASB 2013-7 Amendments to 

AASB 1038 arising from AASB 10 
in relation to Consolidation and 
Interests of Policyholders;

 • AASB 2013-9 Amendments to 

Australian Accounting Standards 
– Conceptual Framework, 
Materiality and Financial 
Instruments;

 • Interpretation 21 Levies; and

 • AASB 1031 Materiality.

 With the exception of the standards 
below, these standards did not impact 
the consolidated financial statements 
and disclosures of the Group.

 AASB 2011-4 Amendments to 
Australian Accounting Standards to 

Remove Individual Key Management 
Personnel Disclosure Requirements

 This amendment removes the 
individual KMP disclosure requirements 
for all disclosing entities in relation to 
equity holdings, loans and other related 
party transactions. This information is 
disclosed in the Remuneration Report. 

 AASB 2013-3 Amendments to AASB 
136 – Recoverable Amount Disclosures 
for Non-Financial Assets

 This amendment increases the 
disclosure requirements in AASB 
136 Impairment of Assets. The 
amendments include the requirement 
to disclose additional information about 
recoverable amounts and the fair value 
measurement when the recoverable 
amount of impaired assets is based on 
fair value less costs of disposal.

 New standards and interpretations 
not yet adopted

 The Group has not elected to apply 
any pronouncements before their 
effective date for the annual reporting 
period ended 31 December 2014.

 A number of new standards, 
amendments to standards and 
interpretations are effective for  
annual periods beginning on or after  
1 January 2015, and have not been 
applied in preparing these consolidated 
financial statements. The Group’s 
assessment of the impact of these 
new standards, amendments to 
standards and interpretations is set 
out below:

 • AASB 9 Financial Instruments 

 AASB 9 as issued replaces AASB 
139 and includes a logical model 
for classification, measurement 
and derecognition of financial 
assets, a single, forward-looking 
‘expected loss’ impairment model 
and a substantially reformed 
approach to hedge accounting. 
The standard is not applicable 
until 1 January 2018, but is 
available for early adoption. The 
main changes to the classification 
and measurement of financial 
assets and liabilities are:

|  81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD) 

 • Financial assets that are debt 
instruments will be classified 
based on: (1) the objective of 
the entity’s business model 
for managing the financial 
assets; and (2) the 
characteristics of the 
contractual cash flows;

 • Allows an irrevocable election 
on initial recognition to 
present gains and losses on 
investments in equity 
instruments that are not held 
for trading in other 
comprehensive income. 
Dividends in respect of these 
investments that are a return 
on investment can be 
recognised in profit or loss 
and there is no impairment or 
recycling on disposal of the 
instrument;

 • Financial assets can be 

designated and measured at 
fair value through profit or 
loss at initial recognition if 
doing so eliminates or 
significantly reduces a 
measurement or recognition 
inconsistency that would 
arise from measuring assets 
or liabilities, or recognising 
the gains and losses on them, 
on different bases; and

 • Where the fair value option  
is used for financial liabilities, 
the change attributable to 
changes in credit risk are 
presented in other 
comprehensive income, and 
the remaining change is 
presented in profit or loss.

 • AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts 

with Customers 

 AASB 15 as issued replaces AASB 
111, AASB 118 and related IFRIC 
Interpretations. The core principle 
of AASB 15 is that an entity 
recognises revenue in accordance 
with the transfer of promised 
goods or services to customers 
in an amount that reflects the 
consideration to which the 

82  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

entity expects to be entitled in 
exchange for those goods or 
services. An entity recognises 
revenue in accordance with that 
core principle by applying the 
following steps:

 Step 1: Identify the contract(s) 
with a customer

 Step 2: Identify the performance 
obligations in the contract

 Step 3: Determine the transaction 
price

 Step 4: Allocate the transaction 
price to the performance 
obligations in the contract

 Step 5: Recognise revenue when 
(or as) the entity satisfies a 
performance obligation.

 • AASB 2014-3 Amendments to 

Australian Accounting Standards 
– Accounting for Acquisitions of 
Interests in Joint Operations

 This standard sets out the 
guidance on the accounting for 
acquisitions of interests in joint 
operations in which the activity 
constitutes a business.

 • AASB 2015-2 Amendments to 

Australian Accounting Standards 
– Disclosure Initiative: 
Amendments to AASB 101

 AASB 2015-2 provides 
clarification regarding the 
disclosure requirements in 
AASB 101. Specifically, the 
Standard proposes narrow-
focus amendments to address 
some of the concerns expressed 
about existing presentation and 
disclosure requirements and to 
ensure entities are able to use 
judgement when applying a 
Standard in determining what 
information to disclose in their 
financial statements.

 • AASB 2015-3 Amendments to 

Australian Accounting Standards 
arising from the withdrawal of 
AASB 1031 - Materiality

 AASB 2015-3 effects the 
withdrawal of AASB 1031 by 
amending AASB 108 Accounting 
Policies, Changes in Accounting 
Estimates and Errors to 
supersede AASB 1031 and deletes 
references to AASB 1031 in 
certain Australian Accounting 
Standards.

 These amendments have not yet been 
adopted by the Group and the Group 
is currently assessing the impact of 
these standards.

 Several other amendments to 
standards and interpretations will 
apply on or after 1 January 2015, and 
have not yet been applied, however 
they are not expected to impact the 
Group’s annual consolidated financial 
statements or half-year condensed 
consolidated financial statements.

 The accounting policies set out below 
have been applied consistently to all 
periods presented in the consolidated 
financial statements. The accounting 
policies have been consistently applied 
by the Group.

(c)  Basis of consolidation 

 Subsidiaries are entities controlled by 
the Company. Control exists when 
the Company is exposed to, or has 
the rights to, variable returns from its 
involvement with an entity and has the 
ability to affect those returns through 
its power over the entity. There is a 
general presumption that a majority of 
voting rights results in control. Where 
the Group has less than a majority 
of voting rights, all other relevant 
facts and circumstances, including 
other contractual arrangements and 
potential voting rights, are considered 
in assessing whether the Group 
has power over an investee. The 
financial statements of subsidiaries are 
included in the consolidated financial 
statements from the date that control 
commences until the date that control 
ceases.

 The acquisition of subsidiaries is 
accounted for using the acquisition 
method of accounting. The 
acquisition method of accounting 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD)

involves recognising at acquisition 
date, separately from goodwill, the 
identifiable assets acquired, the 
liabilities assumed and any non-
controlling interest in the acquiree. The 
assets acquired and liabilities assumed 
are measured at their acquisition date 
fair values (refer note 1(g)).

 The difference between the above 
items and the fair value of the 
consideration, including the fair value 
of the pre-existing investment in the 
acquiree, is goodwill or a discount on 
acquisition.

 If the Group loses control over a 
subsidiary it will:

 • derecognise the assets and 

liabilities of the subsidiary;

 • derecognise the carrying value  

of any non-controlling interest;

 • derecognise the cumulative 

translation differences, recorded  
in equity;

 • recognise the fair value of the 

consideration received;

 • recognise the fair value of any 
investment retained; and

 • recognise any surplus or deficit  
in the income statement.

 A change in ownership interest of a 
subsidiary that does not result in the 
loss of control is accounted for as an 
equity transaction.

 Investments in subsidiaries are carried 
at their cost of acquisition, less any 
impairment charges, in the parent 
entity’s financial statements.

 Intra-group balances and any 
unrealised gains and losses or income 
and expenses arising from intra-group 
transactions are eliminated in preparing 
the consolidated financial statements.

Non-controlling interests

 Non-controlling interests in the net 
assets of consolidated entities are 
allocated their share of net profit 
after tax in the income statement, 
and are identified separately from the 
Group’s equity in those entities. Losses 

are attributed to the non-controlling 
interests even if that results in a deficit 
balance.

Joint arrangements

 The Group’s investments in joint 
arrangements are classified as either 
joint operations or joint ventures; 
depending on the contractual rights 
and obligations each investor has, 
rather than the legal structure of  
the joint arrangement.

Joint operations

 Santos’ exploration and production 
activities are often conducted through 
joint arrangements governed by joint 
operating agreements, production 
sharing contracts or similar contractual 
relationships. A summary of the 
Group’s interests in its material joint 
operations is included in note 26. 

 A joint operation involves the joint 
control, and often the joint ownership, 
of one or more assets contributed to, 
or acquired for the purpose of, the 
joint operation and dedicated to the 
purposes of the joint operation.  
The assets are used to obtain benefits 
for the parties to the joint operation. 
Each party may take a share of the 
output from the assets and each 
bears an agreed share of expenses 
incurred. Each party has control over 
its share of future economic benefits 
through its share of the joint operation. 
The interests of the Group in joint 
operations are brought to account by 
recognising in the financial statements 
the Group’s share of jointly controlled 
assets, share of expenses and liabilities 
incurred, and the income from the sale 
or use of its share of the production of 
the joint operation in accordance with 
the revenue policy in note 1(x).

Joint ventures

 The Group has interests in joint 
ventures, whereby the venturers 
have contractual arrangements 
that establish joint control over the 
economic activities of the entities.  
The Group recognises its interest in 
joint ventures using the equity method 
of accounting.

 Under the equity method, the 
investment in a joint venture is 
initially recognised in the consolidated 
statement of financial position at cost 
and adjusted thereafter to recognise 
the Group’s share of post-acquisition 
changes to the Group’s share of 
net assets of the joint venture. 
Goodwill relating to the joint venture 
is included in the carrying amount of 
the investment and is not amortised. 
After application of the equity method, 
the Group determines whether it is 
necessary to recognise any impairment 
loss with respect to the Group’s net 
investment in the joint venture. 

 The Group’s share of the joint 
venture’s post-acquisition profits 
or losses is recognised in the 
income statement, and its share 
of post-acquisition movements 
in reserves is recognised in the 
statement of changes in equity and, 
when applicable, in the statement 
of comprehensive income. The 
cumulative post-acquisition 
movements are recorded against the 
carrying amount of the investment. 
Dividends receivable from the joint 
venture reduce the carrying amount 
of the investment in the consolidated 
financial statements of the Group.  
The Group’s share in the joint venture’s 
profits and losses resulting from 
transactions between the Group and 
the joint venture is eliminated. 

 When the Group’s share of losses in 
a joint venture equals or exceeds its 
interest in the joint venture, including 
any unsecured long-term receivables 
and loans, the Group does not 
recognise further losses, unless it has 
incurred obligations or made payments 
on behalf of the joint venture. The 
reporting dates of the joint venture 
and the Group are identical and the 
joint venture’s accounting policies are 
consistent with those used by the 
Group for like transactions and events 
in similar circumstances.

|  83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD) 

(d)  Foreign currency

 Functional and presentation 
currency

 Both the functional and presentation 
currency of Santos Limited is 
Australian dollars. Some subsidiaries 
have a functional currency other than 
Australian dollars which is translated to 
the presentation currency (see below).

Transactions and balances

 Transactions in foreign currencies 
are initially recorded in the functional 
currency by applying the exchange 
rate ruling at the date of the 
transaction. Monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies are retranslated at the 
foreign exchange rate ruling at the 
reporting date. Foreign exchange 
differences arising on translation are 
recognised in the income statement. 

 Foreign exchange differences that 
arise on the translation of monetary 
items that form part of the net 
investment in a foreign operation are 
recognised in the translation reserve in 
the consolidated financial statements.

 Non-monetary assets and liabilities 
that are measured in terms of 
historical cost in a foreign currency 
are translated using the exchange rate 
at the date of the initial transaction. 
Non-monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies that 
are stated at fair value are translated 
to the functional currency at foreign 
exchange rates ruling at the dates the 
fair value was determined.

Group companies

 The results of subsidiaries with 
a functional currency other than 
Australian dollars are translated to 
Australian dollars as at the date of 
each transaction. The assets and 
liabilities are translated to Australian 
dollars at foreign exchange rates 
ruling at the reporting date. Foreign 
exchange differences arising on 
retranslation are recognised directly in 
the translation reserve.

84  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 Exchange differences arising from 
the translation of the net investment 
in foreign operations and of related 
hedges are recognised in the 
translation reserve. They are released 
into the income statement upon 
disposal of the foreign operation.

(e)  Derivative financial instruments

 The Group regularly uses derivative 
financial instruments to hedge its 
exposures to changes in foreign 
exchange rates, commodity prices 
and interest rates arising in the normal 
course of business. The principal 
derivatives that may be used are 
forward foreign exchange contracts, 
cross-currency interest rate swaps, 
interest rate swaps, commodity 
crude oil price swaps and option 
contracts. Their use is subject to 
a comprehensive set of policies, 
procedures and limits approved by 
the Board of Directors. The Group 
does not trade in derivative financial 
instruments for speculative purposes.

 Derivative financial instruments 
are recognised initially at fair value. 
Subsequent to initial recognition, 
derivative financial instruments are 
stated at fair value. Where derivatives 
qualify for hedge accounting (refer 
note 1(f)), recognition of any resultant 
gain or loss depends on the nature of 
the item being hedged, otherwise the 
gain or loss on remeasurement to fair 
value is recognised immediately in the 
income statement.

 The fair value of these derivative 
financial instruments is the estimated 
amount that the Group would receive 
or pay to terminate the contracts at 
the reporting date, taking into account 
current market prices and the current 
creditworthiness of the contract 
counterparties.

Embedded derivatives

 Derivatives embedded in other 
financial instruments or other host 
contracts are treated as separate 
derivatives when their risks and 
characteristics are not closely related 
to those of the host contract and the 
host contracts are not measured at 

 fair value with changes in fair value 
recognised in the income statement.

(f)  Hedging

Hedge effectiveness

 Hedge accounting (see below) is only 
applied where the derivative financial 
instrument provides an effective 
hedge of the hedged item. Where a 
derivative financial instrument provides 
a partially effective hedge, any gain 
or loss on the ineffective part is 
recognised immediately in the income 
statement.

Fair value hedge

 Where a derivative financial instrument 
hedges the changes in fair value of 
a recognised asset or liability or an 
unrecognised firm commitment (or 
an identified portion of such asset, 
liability or firm commitment), any gain 
or loss on the hedging instrument is 
recognised in the income statement. 
The hedged item is stated at fair value 
in respect of the risk being hedged, 
with any gain or loss being recognised 
in the income statement.

Cash flow hedge

 Where a derivative financial instrument 
is designated as a hedge of the 
variability in cash flows of a recognised 
asset or liability, or a highly probable 
forecast transaction, any gain or loss 
on the derivative financial instrument 
is recognised directly in equity. When 
the forecast transaction subsequently 
results in the recognition of a non-
financial asset or non-financial liability, 
or the forecast transaction for a 
non-financial asset or non-financial 
liability becomes a firm commitment 
for which fair value hedging is applied, 
the associated cumulative gain or loss 
is removed from equity and included in 
the initial cost or other carrying amount 
of the non-financial asset or non-
financial liability. If a hedge of a forecast 
transaction subsequently results in 
the recognition of a financial asset 
or a financial liability, the associated 
gains and losses that were recognised 
directly in equity are reclassified into the 
income statement in the same period or 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD)

periods during which the asset acquired 
or liability assumed affects the income 
statement.

 For cash flow hedges, other than 
those covered by the preceding 
paragraph, the associated cumulative 
gain or loss is removed from equity and 
recognised in the income statement 
in the same period or periods during 
which the hedged forecast transaction 
affects the income statement.

 When a hedging instrument expires 
or is sold, terminated or exercised, or 
the entity revokes designation of the 
hedge relationship, but the hedged 
forecast transaction is still expected 
to occur, the cumulative gain or loss 
at that point remains in equity and is 
recognised in accordance with the 
above policy when the transaction 
occurs. If the hedged transaction is 
no longer expected to take place, the 
cumulative unrealised gain or loss 
recognised in equity is recognised 
immediately in the income statement.

 Hedge of monetary assets and 
liabilities

 When a derivative financial instrument 
is used to hedge economically the 
foreign exchange exposure of a 
recognised monetary asset or liability, 
hedge accounting is not applied 
and any gain or loss on the hedging 
instrument is recognised in the income 
statement.

 Hedge of net investment in a 
foreign operation

 The gain or loss on an instrument 
used to hedge a net investment in a 
foreign operation is recognised directly 
in equity. On disposal of the foreign 
operation, the cumulative value of 
any such gains or losses recognised 
directly in equity is transferred to the 
income statement.

(g)  Acquisition of assets

 All assets acquired are recorded at 
their cost of acquisition, being the 
amount of cash or cash equivalents 
paid, and the fair value of assets given, 
shares issued or liabilities incurred. 
The cost of an asset comprises 

the purchase price including any 
incidental costs directly attributable 
to the acquisition; any costs directly 
attributable to bringing the asset to 
the location and condition necessary 
for it to be capable of operating; 
and the estimate of the costs of 
dismantling and removing the asset 
and restoring the site on which it is 
located determined in accordance with 
note 1(q).

Business combinations

 A business combination is a 
transaction in which an acquirer 
obtains control of one or more 
businesses. The acquisition method of 
accounting is used to account for all 
business combinations regardless of 
whether equity instruments or other 
assets are acquired. 

 The acquisition method is only applied 
to a business combination when 
control over the business is obtained. 
Subsequent changes in interests in a 
business where control already exists 
are accounted for as transactions 
between owners.

 The cost of the business combination 
is measured as the fair value of the 
assets given, shares issued and 
liabilities incurred or assumed at the 
date of acquisition. The cost includes 
the fair value of any contingent 
consideration. Subsequent changes 
to the fair value of the contingent 
consideration which is deemed to be 
an asset or liability will be recognised 
in either the income statement or 
in other comprehensive income. 
Where the contingent consideration 
is classified as equity, it shall not be 
remeasured.

 Costs directly attributable to the 
business combination are expensed  
as incurred.

 Where settlement of any part of 
cash consideration is deferred, the 
amounts payable in the future are 
discounted to their present value as 
at the acquisition date. The discount 
rate used is the entity’s incremental 
borrowing rate, being the rate at which 
a similar borrowing could be obtained 

from an independent financier under 
comparable terms and conditions.

 The excess of the consideration 
transferred, the amount of any non-
controlling interest in the acquiree and 
the acquisition date fair value of any 
previous equity interest in the acquiree 
over the fair value of the Group’s 
share of the net identifiable assets 
acquired is recorded as goodwill. If 
those amounts are less than the fair 
value of the net identifiable assets 
of the subsidiary acquired and the 
measurement of all amounts has been 
reviewed, the difference is recognised 
directly in the income statement as a 
bargain purchase.

(h)   exploration and evaluation 

expenditure

 Exploration and evaluation expenditure 
in respect of each area of interest is 
accounted for using the successful 
efforts method of accounting. The 
successful efforts method requires all 
exploration and evaluation expenditure 
to be expensed in the period it 
is incurred, except the costs of 
acquiring interests in new exploration 
and evaluation assets, the costs of 
successful wells and appraisal costs 
relating to determining development 
feasibility, which are capitalised as 
intangible exploration and evaluation 
assets.

 An area of interest refers to an 
individual geological area where the 
presence of oil or a natural gas field 
is considered favourable or has been 
proved to exist, and in most cases will 
comprise an individual prospective oil 
or gas field.

 Exploration and evaluation expenditure 
is recognised in relation to an area of 
interest when the rights to tenure of 
the area of interest are current and 
either:

(i) 

 such expenditure is expected to 
be recovered through successful 
development and commercial 
exploitation of the area of interest 
or, alternatively, by its sale; or

|  85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD) 

(ii) 

 the exploration activities in the 
area of interest have not yet 
reached a stage that permits 
reasonable assessment of 
the existence of economically 
recoverable reserves and active 
and significant operations in, or in 
relation to, the area of interest are 
continuing.

  Where an ownership interest in an 
exploration and evaluation asset 
is exchanged for another, the 
transaction is recognised by reference 
to the carrying value of the original 
interest. Any cash consideration 
paid, including transaction costs, is 
accounted for as an acquisition of 
exploration and evaluation assets. 
Any cash consideration received, 
net of transaction costs, is treated 
as a recoupment of costs previously 
capitalised with any excess accounted 
for as a gain on disposal of non-
current assets.

 The carrying amounts of the Group’s 
exploration and evaluation assets 
are reviewed at each reporting date, 
in conjunction with the impairment 
review process referred to in note 
1(p), to determine whether any of the 
following indicators of impairment 
exists:

(i) 

(ii) 

 tenure over the licence area has 
expired during the period or will 
expire in the near future, and is 
not expected to be renewed; or

 substantive expenditure on 
further exploration for and 
evaluation of mineral resources in 
the specific area is not budgeted 
or planned; or

(iii)   exploration for and evaluation 

of resources in the specific area 
have not led to the discovery of 
commercially viable quantities 
of resources, and the Group has 
decided to discontinue activities 
in the specific area; or

(iv)   sufficient data exist to indicate 
that although a development is 
likely to proceed, the carrying 
amount of the exploration and 

evaluation asset is unlikely to be 
recovered in full from successful 
development or from sale.

 Where an indicator of impairment 
exists, a formal estimate of the 
recoverable amount is made and any 
resultant impairment loss is recognised 
in the income statement.

 When approval of commercial 
development of a discovered oil or 
gas field occurs, the accumulated 
exploration and evaluation expenditure 
is transferred to oil and gas assets – 
assets in development. 

(i)  oil and gas assets

 Oil and gas assets are usually single 
oil or gas fields being developed for 
future production or which are in 
the production phase. Where several 
individual oil or gas fields are to be 
produced through common facilities, 
the individual oil or gas field and the 
associated production facilities are 
managed and reported as a single oil 
and gas asset.

Assets in development

 When the technical and commercial 
feasibility of an undeveloped oil or 
gas field has been demonstrated 
and approval of commercial 
development occurs, the field enters 
its development phase. The costs of 
oil and gas assets in the development 
phase are separately accounted for 
as tangible assets and include past 
exploration and evaluation costs, 
development drilling and other 
subsurface expenditure, surface plant 
and equipment and any associated 
land and buildings. Other subsurface 
expenditures include the costs of 
de-watering coal seam gas fields to 
provide access to the coal seams to 
enable production from coal seam 
gas reserves. De-watering costs are 
the costs of extracting, transporting, 
treating and disposing of water during 
the development phases of the coal 
seam gas fields.

 When commercial operation 
commences the accumulated costs 

 are transferred to oil and gas assets – 
producing assets.

Producing assets

 The costs of oil and gas assets in 
production are separately accounted 
for as tangible assets and include past 
exploration and evaluation costs, pre-
production development costs and the 
ongoing costs of continuing to develop 
reserves for production and to expand 
or replace plant and equipment and 
any associated land and buildings.

 These costs are subject to 
depreciation and depletion in 
accordance with note 1(k).

 Ongoing exploration and evaluation 
activities

 Often the initial discovery and 
development of an oil or gas asset will 
lead to ongoing exploration for, and 
evaluation of, potential new oil or gas 
fields in the vicinity with the intention 
of producing any near field discoveries 
using the infrastructure in place.

 Exploration and evaluation expenditure 
associated with oil and gas assets 
is accounted for in accordance with 
the policy in note 1(h). Exploration 
and evaluation expenditure amounts 
capitalised in respect of oil and gas 
assets are separately disclosed in  
note 12.

(j) 

 Land, buildings, plant and 
equipment

 Land and buildings are measured at 
cost less accumulated depreciation  
on buildings, less any impairment 
losses recognised.

 Plant and equipment is stated at 
cost less accumulated depreciation 
and any accumulated impairment 
losses. Such cost includes the cost of 
rotable spares and insurance spares 
that are purchased for specific plant 
and equipment items. Similarly, the 
cost of major cyclical maintenance is 
recognised in the carrying amount of 
the related plant and equipment as 
a replacement only if it is eligible for 
capitalisation. Any remaining carrying 
amount from the cost of  

86  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD)

the previous major cyclical 
maintenance is derecognised. All 
other repairs and maintenance are 
recognised in the income statement as 
incurred.

 Depreciation on buildings, plant and 
equipment is calculated in accordance 
with note 1(k).

(k)  Depreciation and depletion

 Depreciation charges are calculated 
to write off the depreciable value of 
buildings, plant and equipment over 
their estimated economic useful lives 
to the Group. Each component of an 
item of buildings, plant and equipment 
with a cost that is significant in 
relation to the total cost of the asset 
is depreciated separately. The residual 
value, useful life and depreciation 
method applied to an asset are 
reviewed at the end of each annual 
reporting period.

 Depreciation of onshore buildings, 
plant and equipment and corporate 
assets is calculated using the straight-
line method of depreciation on an 
individual asset basis from the date 
the asset is available for use, unless a 
units of production method represents 
a more systematic allocation of the 
asset’s depreciable amount over its 
economic useful life.

 The estimated useful lives for each 
class of onshore assets for the current 
and comparative periods are generally 
as follows:

 • Buildings 

20 – 50 years

 • Plant and equipment: 

- Computer equipment  3 –   5 years
- Motor vehicles 
4 –   7 years
- Furniture and fittings 10 – 20 years
10 – 30 years
- Pipelines 
10 – 50 years
- Plant and facilities 

 Depreciation of offshore plant and 
equipment is calculated using the units 
of production method for an asset 
or group of assets from the date of 
commencement of production.

 Depletion charges are calculated 
using the units of production method 
based on heating value which will 

amortise the cost of carried forward 
exploration, evaluation and subsurface 
development expenditure (“subsurface 
assets”) over the life of the estimated 
Proven plus Probable (“2P”) 
hydrocarbon reserves for an asset or 
group of assets, together with future 
subsurface costs necessary to develop 
the hydrocarbon reserves in the 
respective asset or group of assets.

 The heating value measurement 
used for the conversion of volumes 
of different hydrocarbon products is 
barrels of oil equivalent.

 Depletion is not charged on costs 
carried forward in respect of assets 
in the development stage until 
production commences.

(i) 

(ii) 

 drilling and maintenance stocks, 
which include plant spares, 
consumables and maintenance 
and drilling tools used for 
ongoing operations, are valued at 
weighted average cost; and

 petroleum products, which 
comprise extracted crude 
oil, liquefied petroleum gas, 
condensate and naphtha stored 
in tanks and pipeline systems and 
processed sales gas and ethane 
stored in subsurface reservoirs, 
are valued using the absorption 
cost method in a manner 
which approximates specific 
identification.

(n)  trade and other receivables

(l)  Available-for-sale financial assets

 Financial instruments classified as 
being available for sale are stated 
at fair value, where that fair value 
can be reliably measured, with any 
resultant gain or loss being recognised 
directly in equity. In the instance that 
an instruments fair value cannot be 
reliably measured, the instrument 
is carried at cost and tested for 
impairment, with any impairment 
charge being recorded within profit or 
loss.

 The fair value of financial instruments 
classified as available for sale is their 
quoted bid price at the close of 
business on the reporting date.

 Financial instruments classified as 
available for sale are recognised 
or derecognised on the date of 
commitment to purchase or sell the 
investments. When these investments 
are derecognised, the cumulative gain 
or loss previously recognised directly 
in equity is recognised in the income 
statement.

(m) Inventories

 Inventories are stated at the lower 
of cost and net realisable value. Net 
realisable value is the estimated 
selling price in the ordinary course of 
business, less the estimated costs of 
completion and selling expenses. Cost 
is determined as follows:

 Trade and other receivables are initially 
recognised at fair value, which in 
practice is the equivalent of cost, less 
any impairment losses.

 Long-term receivables are discounted 
and are stated at amortised cost, less 
any impairment losses.

 Trade and other receivables are 
assessed for indicators of impairment 
at each reporting date. Where a 
receivable is impaired the amount 
of the impairment is the difference 
between the asset’s carrying value and 
the present value of estimated future 
cash flows, discounted at the original 
effective interest rate. The carrying 
amount of the receivable is reduced 
through the use of an allowance 
account. Changes in the allowance 
account are recognised in the income 
statement. 

(o)  Cash and cash equivalents

 Cash and cash equivalents comprise 
cash balances and short-term deposits 
that are readily convertible to known 
amounts of cash, are subject to an 
insignificant risk of changes in value, 
and generally have an original maturity 
of three months or less.

|  87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD) 

(p)  Impairment

 The carrying amounts of the Group’s 
assets, other than inventories and 
deferred tax assets, are reviewed 
at each reporting date to determine 
whether there is any indication of 
impairment. Where an indicator of 
impairment exists, a formal estimate of 
the recoverable amount is made.

 Oil and gas assets, land, buildings, 
plant and equipment are assessed 
for impairment on a cash-generating 
unit basis. A cash-generating unit 
is the smallest grouping of assets 
that generates independent cash 
inflows, and generally represents an 
individual oil or gas field. Impairment 
losses recognised in respect of 
cash-generating units are allocated 
to reduce the carrying amount of the 
assets in the unit on a pro-rata basis.

 Individual assets or sub-component 
groups of assets within a cash-
generating unit may become impaired 
if circumstances related to their 
ongoing use change or there is an 
indication that the benefits to be 
obtained from ongoing use are likely 
to be less than the carrying value of 
the individual asset or sub-component 
group of assets.

 Exploration and evaluation assets are 
assessed for impairment in accordance 
with note 1(h).

 An impairment loss is recognised in 
the income statement whenever 
the carrying amount of an asset or 
its cash-generating unit exceeds its 
recoverable amount.

 Where a decline in the fair value of 
an available-for-sale financial asset 
has been recognised directly in equity 
and there is objective evidence that 
the asset is impaired, the cumulative 
loss that had been recognised directly 
in equity is recognised in the income 
statement even though the financial 
asset has not been derecognised. The 
amount of the cumulative loss that is 
recognised in the income statement is 
the difference between the acquisition 
cost and current fair value, less any 

88  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

impairment loss on that financial asset 
previously recognised in the income 
statement.

Calculation of recoverable amount

 The recoverable amount of an asset is 
the greater of its fair value less costs 
to sell and its value in use. In assessing 
value in use, an asset’s estimated 
future cash flows are discounted to 
their present value using a pre-tax 
discount rate that reflects current 
market assessments of the time value 
of money and the risks specific to 
the asset. Where an asset does not 
generate cash flows that are largely 
independent from other assets or 
groups of assets, the recoverable 
amount is determined for the cash-
generating unit to which the asset 
belongs.

 For oil and gas assets, the estimated 
future cash flows for the value-in-use 
calculation are based on estimates, 
the most significant of which are 
2P hydrocarbon reserves, future 
production profiles, commodity 
prices, operating costs and any future 
development costs necessary to 
produce the reserves. Under a fair 
value less costs to sell calculation, 
future cash flows are based on 
estimates of 2P hydrocarbon reserves 
in addition to other relevant factors, 
such as value attributable to additional 
resource and exploration opportunities 
beyond 2P reserves based on 
production plans. 

 Estimates of future commodity 
prices are based on the Group’s best 
estimate of future market prices with 
reference to external market analysts’ 
forecasts, current spot prices and 
forward curves. Future commodity 
prices are reviewed at least annually. 
Where volumes are contracted, future 
prices are based on the contracted 
price. Future Brent price estimates 
assume US$55/bbl in 2015, US$70/
bbl in 2016, US$80/bbl in 2017, 
US$90/bbl in 2018 and US$90/bbl 
(2014 real) from 2019. 

 Forecasts of the foreign exchange rate 
for foreign currencies, where relevant, 

are estimated with reference to 
observable external market data and 
forward values, including analysis of 
broker and consensus estimates.  
The future estimated rate applied is 
A$/US$ of 0.80 in all years.

 The discount rates applied to the 
future forecast cash flows are based 
on the Group’s post-tax weighted 
average cost of capital, adjusted for 
risks where appropriate, including 
functional currency of the asset, and 
risk profile of the countries in which 
the asset operates.

Reversals of impairment

 An impairment loss is reversed if there 
has been an increase in the estimated 
recoverable amount of a previously 
impaired asset. An impairment loss 
is reversed only to the extent that 
the asset’s carrying amount does 
not exceed the carrying amount that 
would have been determined, net 
of depreciation or depletion, if no 
impairment loss had been recognised.

 Impairment losses recognised in 
the income statement on equity 
instruments classified as available-for-
sale financial assets are not reversed.

(q)  Provisions

 A provision is recognised in the 
statement of financial position when 
the Group has a present legal or 
constructive obligation as a result of 
a past event and it is probable that 
an outflow of resources embodying 
economic benefits will be required 
to settle the obligation and a reliable 
estimate can be made of the amount 
of the obligation.

 Provisions are measured at the 
present value of management’s best 
estimate of the expenditure required 
to settle the present obligation using a 
discounted cash flow methodology. If 
the effect of the time value of money 
is material, the provision is discounted 
using a current pre-tax rate that 
reflects current market assessments 
of the time value of money and, where 
appropriate, the risks specific to the 
liability. The increase in the provision 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD)

resulting from the passage of time is 
recognised in finance costs.

Restoration

 Provisions for future environmental 
restoration are recognised where 
there is a present obligation as a 
result of exploration, development, 
production, transportation or storage 
activities having been undertaken, 
and it is probable that an outflow of 
economic benefits will be required to 
settle the obligation. The estimated 
future obligations include the costs of 
removing facilities, abandoning wells 
and restoring the affected areas.

 The provision for future restoration 
costs is the best estimate of 
the present value of the future 
expenditure required to settle 
the restoration obligation at the 
reporting date, based on current 
legal requirements. Future restoration 
costs are reviewed annually and any 
changes in the estimate are reflected 
in the present value of the restoration 
provision at the reporting date, with a 
corresponding change in the cost of 
the associated asset.

 The amount of the provision for 
future restoration costs relating 
to exploration, development and 
production facilities is capitalised and 
depleted as a component of the cost 
of those activities.

Remediation

 Provisions for remediation costs are 
recognised where there is a present 
obligation as a result of an unexpected 
event that occurs outside of the 
planned operations of an asset.

 The provision for future remediation 
costs is the best estimate of the 
present value of the future expenditure 
required to settle the remediation 
obligation at the reporting date, based 
on current legal requirements. Future 
remediation costs are reviewed annually 
and any changes in the estimate are 
reflected in the present value of the 
remediation provision at the reporting 
date, with a corresponding charge to 
the income statement.

Carbon tax

 The Group estimates its emissions 
liability in accordance with the Clean 
Energy Act 2011 (Cth) and associated 
pronouncements, based on covered 
emissions arising from facilities for 
which the Group has operational 
control. 

 The determination of covered 
emissions includes both measured and 
estimated data based on operational 
activities and judgement in regard to 
the expected liable facilities for the 
relevant compliance period under the 
legislation. 

 Carbon permits are purchased when 
the provision for carbon is required 
to be settled. The carbon provision 
is derecognised from the statement 
of financial position when purchased 
permits are delivered to the Australian 
Government in settlement of the 
liability. 

 On 17 July 2014, the Clean Energy 
Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Act 
2014 (Cth) received Royal Assent, 
abolishing carbon tax with effect from 
1 July 2014. The carrying amount of 
the provision for carbon, relating to 
the liability incurred up to the date of 
repeal, is disclosed in note 18.

(r)  employee benefits

  Wages, salaries and sick leave

 Liabilities for wages and salaries, 
including non-monetary benefits that 
are expected to be settled within 
12 months of the reporting date are 
recognised in respect of employees’ 
services up to the reporting date. 
They are measured at the amounts 
expected to be paid when the liabilities 
are settled. Expenses for non-vesting 
sick leave are recognised when the 
leave is taken and are measured at the 
rates paid or payable.

Long-term service benefits

 Liabilities for long service leave and 
annual leave that is not expected 
to be taken within 12 months of the 
respective service being provided, 
are recognised and measured as 

the present value of the estimated 
future cash outflows to be made in 
respect of employees’ services up 
to the reporting date. The obligation 
is calculated using expected future 
increases in wage and salary rates, 
experience of employee departures 
and periods of service. Expected 
future payments are discounted 
using the rates attached to the 
Commonwealth Government bonds 
at the reporting date which have 
maturity dates approximating the 
terms of the Group’s obligations.

 The obligations are presented as 
current liabilities in the statement  
of financial position if the Group does 
not have the unconditional right to 
defer settlement for at least 12 months 
after the reporting date, regardless 
of when the actual settlement is 
expected to occur. 

Defined contribution plans

 The Group contributes to several 
defined contribution superannuation 
plans. Obligations for contributions 
are recognised as an expense in the 
income statement as incurred.

Defined benefit plan

 The Group’s net obligation in respect 
of the defined benefit superannuation 
plan is calculated by estimating 
the amount of future benefit that 
employees have earned in return for 
their service in the current and prior 
periods; that benefit is discounted 
to determine its present value, and 
the fair value of any plan assets is 
deducted.

 The discount rate is the yield at the 
reporting date on Commonwealth 
Government bonds that have maturity 
dates approximating the terms of the 
Group’s obligations. The calculation is 
performed by a qualified actuary using 
the projected unit credit method.

|  89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD) 

 When the benefits of the plan are 
improved, the portion of the increased 
benefit relating to past service by 
employees is recognised as an expense 
in the income statement on a straight 
line basis over the average period 
until the benefits become vested. 
To the extent that the benefits vest 
immediately, the expense is recognised 
immediately in the income statement.

 Actuarial gains or losses that arise in 
calculating the Group’s obligation in 
respect of the plan are recognised 
directly in retained earnings.

 When the calculation results in plan 
assets exceeding liabilities to the 
Group, the recognised asset is limited 
to the net total of any unrecognised 
actuarial losses and past service costs 
and the present value of any future 
refunds from the plan or reductions in 
future contributions to the plan.

 Past service cost is the increase in the 
present value of the defined benefit 
obligation for employee services in 
prior periods, resulting in the current 
period from the introduction of, 
or changes to, post-employment 
benefits or other long-term employee 
benefits. Past service cost may be 
either positive (where benefits are 
introduced or improved) or negative 
(where existing benefits are reduced).

Share-based payment transactions

 Santos executive share-based 
payment plans

 The Santos Executive Share Option 
Plan allows eligible executives to 
acquire shares in the capital of the 
Company. 

 The fair value of options granted is 
recognised as an employee expense 
with a corresponding increase in 
equity. The fair value is measured at 
grant date and recognised over the 
period during which the executive 
becomes unconditionally entitled 
to the options. The fair value of the 
options granted is measured using a 
Monte Carlo simulation method, taking 
into account the terms and market 
conditions upon which the options 

90  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

were granted. The amount recognised 
as an expense is only adjusted  
when the options do not vest due  
to non-market-related conditions.

 Share Acquisition Rights (“SARs”) 
issued under the Santos Employee 
Equity Incentive Plan (“SEEIP”) 
allow eligible executives to receive 
SARs upon the satisfaction of set 
market and non-market performance 
conditions. The fair value of the SARs 
granted under this plan is measured 
by discounting the share price on the 
grant date using the assumed dividend 
yield for the term of the SAR. The 
amount recognised as an expense is 
adjusted each reporting period based 
on an estimate of the likelihood of 
achieving the performance conditions. 

 The fair value of SARs issued to 
eligible executives under the Executive 
Long-term Incentive Program is 
recognised as an employee expense 
with a corresponding increase in 
equity. The fair value is measured at 
grant date and recognised over the 
period during which the executive 
becomes unconditionally entitled 
to the SARs. The fair value of the 
performance-based SARs granted 
is measured using a Monte Carlo 
simulation method, taking into account 
the terms and market conditions upon 
which the SARs were granted. The 
fair value of the deferred-based SARs 
granted is measured by discounting 
the share price on the grant date 
using the assumed dividend yield for 
the term of the SAR. The amount 
recognised as an expense is only 
adjusted when the SARs do not vest 
due to non-market-related conditions.

 Cash-settled share-based payment 
plans

 The Group recognises the fair value 
of cash-settled share-based payment 
transactions as an employee expense 
with a corresponding increase in the 
liability for employee benefits. The fair 
value of the liability is measured initially, 
and at the end of each reporting 
period until settled, at the fair value of 
the cash-settled share-based payment 
transaction, by using a Monte Carlo 

 simulation method, taking into account 
the terms and conditions on which  
the cash-settled share-based payment 
transactions were granted, and the 
extent to which the employees have 
rendered service to date.

General employee share plans

 Santos operates two general employee 
share plans, Share1000 Plan and 
ShareMatch Plan, under the Santos 
Employee Share Purchase Plan, 
which are open to eligible executives 
and employees. The Share1000 
Plan provides for grants of fully paid 
ordinary shares in the capital of the 
Company up to a value determined by 
the Board.

 The fair value per share is determined 
by the Volume Weighted Average 
Price (“VWAP”) of ordinary Santos 
shares on the ASX during the week 
up to and including the date of issue 
of the shares. The fair value of shares 
granted is recognised as an employee 
expense with a corresponding increase 
in issued capital.

 The ShareMatch Plan allows eligible 
executives and employees to purchase 
shares through salary sacrifice over 
a maximum 12-month period, and to 
receive matched SARs at a ratio set  
by the Board.

 The fair value per share is determined 
by the VWAP of ordinary Santos 
shares on the ASX during the week 
up to and including the date of issue 
of the shares. The fair value of shares 
is recognised as an increase in issued 
capital with a corresponding increase 
in loans receivable.

 The fair value of matched SARs is 
measured by discounting the share 
price on the grant date using the 
assumed dividend yield for the 
term of the matched SAR. The fair 
value is measured at grant date and 
recognised as an employee expense 
with a corresponding increase in 
equity over the period during which 
the eligible executive or employee 
becomes unconditionally entitled to 
the SARs.

 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD) 

 Santos Eastern Star Gas Limited 
Employee Incentive Plan

 Under the Santos Eastern Star Gas 
Limited Employee Incentive Plan, 
eligible employees were granted 
ordinary shares in Santos, in exchange 
for Eastern Star Gas Limited (“ESG”), 
(now Santos NSW Pty Ltd), shares 
issued under the Eastern Star Gas 
Limited Employee Incentive Plan 
pursuant to the acquisition of ESG. 
The cost of the ESG shares acquired 
is determined by reference to the fair 
value of the equity and associated 
interest-free employee loans, which 
is measured using a Monte Carlo 
simulation method, taking into account 
the contractual life of the loans and 
the expectation of early repayment, 
with a corresponding increase in 
equity.

 These fully paid ordinary shares are 
not quoted on the ASX as they are 
subject to trading restrictions while 
the loans are outstanding. Under 
the terms of the plan, Santos holds 
a lien over the issued shares and 
the employees have no obligation 
to repay the outstanding loans. The 
loans are granted with terms of up to 
five years, and if the loans were not 
repaid before expiration of the term, 
the entitlement to the shares would be 
forfeited and the shares would be sold 
on-market by Santos. The loans are 
not recognised as receivables and an 
increase in issued capital is recognised 
upon receipt of payment of the loans 
or proceeds of sales.

(s)  Interest-bearing borrowings

 Interest-bearing borrowings are 
recognised initially at fair value, net of 
transaction costs incurred. Subsequent 
to initial recognition, interest-bearing 
borrowings are stated at amortised 
cost with any difference between 
cost and redemption value being 
recognised in the income statement 
over the period of the borrowings on 
an effective interest basis.

 Fixed rate notes that are hedged by an 
interest rate swap are recognised at 
fair value (refer note 1(f)).

(t)  Borrowing costs

Transaction costs

 Borrowing costs, including interest 
and finance charges relating to major 
oil and gas assets under development 
up to the date of commencement 
of commercial operations, are 
capitalised as a component of the 
cost of development. Where funds 
are borrowed specifically for qualifying 
projects the actual borrowing costs 
incurred are capitalised. Where the 
projects are funded through general 
borrowings the borrowing costs are 
capitalised based on the weighted 
average borrowing rate (refer note 
17). Borrowing costs incurred after 
commencement of commercial 
operations are expensed.

 All other borrowing costs are 
recognised in the income statement in 
the period in which they are incurred.

(u)  Deferred income

 A liability is recorded for obligations 
under sales contracts to deliver 
natural gas in future periods for which 
payment has already been received.

 Deferred income is also recognised 
on asset-sale agreements where 
consideration is received prior to all 
conditions precedent being fulfilled.

(v)  trade and other payables

 Trade and other payables are 
recognised when the related  
goods or services are received, at  
the amount of cash or cash equivalent 
that will be required to discharge the 
obligation, gross of any settlement 
discount offered. Trade payables are 
non-interest bearing and are settled  
on normal terms and conditions.

(w)  share capital 

Ordinary share capital

 Ordinary share capital is classified as 
equity.

Dividends

 Dividends are recognised as a liability 
at the time the Directors resolve to 
pay or declare the dividend.

 Transaction costs of an equity 
transaction are accounted for as a 
deduction from equity, net of any 
related income tax benefit.

(x)  Revenue

 Revenue is recognised in the income 
statement when the significant risks 
and rewards of ownership have been 
transferred to the buyer. Revenue 
is recognised and measured at the 
fair value of the consideration or 
contributions received, net of goods 
and services tax or similar taxes, to the 
extent it is probable that the economic 
benefits will flow to the Group and the 
revenue can be reliably measured.

Sales revenue

 Sales revenue is recognised on 
the basis of the Group’s interest in 
a producing field (“entitlements” 
method), when the physical product 
and associated risks and rewards of 
ownership pass to the purchaser, 
which is generally at the time of ship 
or truck loading, or on the product 
entering the pipeline.

 Revenue earned under a production 
sharing contract (“PSC”) is recognised 
on a net entitlements basis according 
to the terms of the PSC.

Dividends

 Dividend revenue from controlled 
entities is recognised as the dividends 
are declared, and from other parties as 
the dividends are received.

Overriding royalties

 Royalties recognised on farmed-out 
operating lease rights are recognised 
as revenue as they accrue in 
accordance with the terms of the 
overriding-royalty agreements.

 Pipeline tariffs and processing tolls

 Tariffs and tolls charged to other 
entities for use of pipelines and 
facilities owned by the Group are 
recognised as revenue as they accrue 
in accordance with the terms of the 
tariff and tolling agreements.

|  91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD) 

Trading revenue

 Trading revenue represents the net 
revenue derived from the purchase 
and subsequent sale of hydrocarbon 
products from third parties where the 
risks and benefits of ownership of the 
product do not pass to the Group, or 
where the Group acts as an agent 
or broker with compensation on a 
commission or fee basis.

(y)  Interest income

 Interest income is recognised in the 
income statement as it accrues, using 
the effective interest method. This is 
a method of calculating the amortised 
cost of a financial asset and allocating 
the interest income over the relevant 
period using the effective interest 
rate, which is the rate that exactly 
discounts estimated future cash 
receipts through the expected life of 
the financial asset to the net carrying 
amount of the financial asset.

(z)  other income

 Other income is recognised in the 
income statement at the fair value 
of the consideration received or 
receivable, net of goods and services 
tax, when the significant risks and 
rewards of ownership have been 
transferred to the buyer or when the 
service has been performed.

 The gain or loss arising on disposal 
of a non-current asset is included as 
other income at the date control of 
the asset passes to the buyer. The 
gain or loss on disposal is calculated as 
the difference between the carrying 
amount of the asset at the time of 
disposal and the net proceeds on 
disposal.

(aa) Leases

 The determination of whether 
an arrangement is or contains a 
lease is based on the substance of 
the arrangement and requires an 
assessment of whether the fulfilment 
of the arrangement is dependent on 
the use of a specific asset or assets 
and whether the arrangement conveys 
a right to use the asset.

92  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 Leases are classified as finance leases 
when the terms of the lease transfer 
substantially all the risks and rewards 
incidental to ownership of the leased 
asset to the lessee. All other leases are 
classified as operating leases.

 Finance leases are capitalised at the 
lease’s inception at the fair value 
of the leased property or, if lower, 
the present value of the minimum 
lease payments. The corresponding 
liability to the lessor is included in 
the statement of financial position 
as a finance lease obligation. Lease 
payments are apportioned between 
finance charges and reduction of the 
lease obligations so as to achieve 
a constant rate of interest on the 
remaining balance of the liability. 
Assets under finance lease are 
depreciated over the shorter of the 
estimated useful life of the asset and 
the lease term if there is no reasonable 
expectation that the Group will obtain 
ownership by the end of the lease 
term.

 Operating lease payments are 
recognised as an expense on a 
straight-line basis over the lease term, 
except where another systematic  
basis is more representative of the 
time pattern in which economic 
benefits from the leased asset are 
consumed. Contingent rentals arising 
under operating leases are recognised 
as an expense in the period in which 
they are incurred.

(ab) Carbon tax

 On 17 July 2014, the Clean Energy 
Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Act 
2014 (Cth) received Royal Assent, 
abolishing carbon tax with effect from 
1 July 2014.

 Carbon costs incurred to the date of 
repeal are recognised as an operating 
expense in the income statement as 
emissions are produced.

 Carbon costs that are recovered from 
customers are recognised as sales 
revenue in the income statement in 
accordance with note 1(x).

(ac) Goods and services tax

 Revenues, expenses and assets 
are recognised net of the amount 
of goods and services tax (“GST”), 
except where the amount of GST 
incurred is not recoverable from the 
Australian Taxation Office (“ATO”). 
In these circumstances the GST is 
recognised as part of the cost of 
acquisition of the asset or as part of 
the expense.

 Receivables and payables are stated 
with the amount of GST included. The 
net amount of GST recoverable from, 
or payable to, the ATO is included 
as a current asset or liability in the 
statement of financial position.

 Cash flows are included in the statement 
of cash flows on a gross basis. The GST 
components of cash flows arising 
from investing and financing activities 
which are recoverable from, or payable 
to, the ATO are classified as operating 
cash flows.

 Similar taxes in other tax jurisdictions 
are accounted for in a like manner.

(ad) taxation

Income tax

 Income tax on the profit or loss for 
the year comprises current and 
deferred tax. Income tax is recognised 
in the income statement except to 
the extent that it relates to items 
recognised directly in equity, in which 
case it is recognised in equity.

 Current tax is the amount of income 
tax payable on the taxable profit 
or loss for the year, using tax rates 
enacted or substantively enacted at 
the reporting date, and any adjustment 
to tax payable in respect of previous 
years.

 Deferred tax is determined using 
the statement of financial position 
approach, providing for temporary 
differences between the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities for 
financial reporting purposes and the 
appropriate tax bases. The following 
temporary differences are not provided 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD) 

for: the initial recognition of assets or 
liabilities that affect neither accounting 
nor taxable profit; and differences 
relating to investments in subsidiaries 
to the extent it is probable that they 
will not reverse in the foreseeable 
future. The amount of deferred tax 
provided is based on the expected 
manner of realisation or settlement 
of the carrying amount of assets and 
liabilities, using tax rates enacted or 
substantively enacted at the reporting 
date.

 A deferred tax asset is recognised only 
to the extent that it is probable that 
future taxable profits will be available 
against which the asset can be 
utilised. For Petroleum Resource Rent 
Tax (“PRRT”) purposes, the impact of 
future augmentation on expenditure is 
included in the determination of future 
taxable profits when assessing the 
extent to which a deferred tax asset 
can be recognised in the statement of 
financial position. Deferred tax assets 
are reduced to the extent that it is no 
longer probable that the related tax 
benefit will be realised.

 The Company and all of its wholly 
owned Australian resident entities 
are part of a tax-consolidated group 
under Australian taxation law. Santos 
Limited is the head entity in the 
tax-consolidated group. Current tax 
expense or benefit-deferred tax 
liabilities and deferred tax assets 
arising from temporary differences of 
the members of the tax-consolidated 
group are allocated amongst the 
members of the tax-consolidated 
group using a “stand-alone taxpayer” 
approach in accordance with 
Interpretation 1052 Tax Consolidation 
Accounting and are recognised in the 
separate financial statements of each 
entity. Current tax liabilities and assets 
and deferred tax assets arising from 
unused tax losses and tax credits of 
the members of the tax-consolidated 
group are recognised by the Company 
(as head entity in the tax-consolidated 
group).

 The Company and the other entities 
in the tax-consolidated group have 
entered into a tax funding agreement. 
Tax contribution amounts payable 
under the tax funding agreement are 
recognised as payable to or receivable 
by the Company and each other 
member of the tax-consolidated 
group. Where the tax contribution 
amount recognised by each member 
of the tax-consolidated group for 
a particular period under the tax 
funding agreement is different from 
the aggregate of the current tax 
liability or asset and any deferred tax 
asset arising from unused tax losses 
and tax credits in respect of that 
period assumed by the Company, 
the difference is recognised as a 
contribution from (or distribution to) 
equity participants.

 The Company and the other entities in 
the tax-consolidated group have also 
entered into a tax sharing agreement 
pursuant to which the other entities 
may be required to contribute to the 
tax liabilities of the Company in the 
event of default by the Company or 
upon leaving the tax-consolidated 
group.

Royalty-related taxation

 PRRT, Resource Rent Royalty and 
Timor-Leste’s Additional Profits Tax 
are accounted for as income tax as 
described above.

 From 1 July 2012, the existing PRRT 
regime was extended to apply to 
all Australian petroleum production 
sourced from projects located onshore, 
in territorial waters and the North 
West Shelf project area. On transition 
to the extended PRRT regime, a 
starting tax base is immediately 
available to be deducted against the 
relevant project profits, giving rise to 
a potential deferred tax asset. The 
recoverability of a deferred tax asset 
arising from transition to the extended 
PRRT regime has been assessed as 
described above.

(ae)  Discontinued operations and  

non-current assets held for sale

 A discontinued operation is a 
significant component of the Group 
that has been disposed of, or is 
classified as held for sale, and that 
represents a separate major line of 
business or geographical area of 
operations, and is part of a single 
coordinated plan to dispose of such a 
line of business or area of operations. 
The results of discontinued operations 
are presented separately on the face 
of the income statement and the 
assets and liabilities are presented 
separately on the statement of 
financial position.

 Non-current assets and disposal 
groups are classified as held for sale 
and measured at the lower of their 
carrying amount and fair value less 
costs to sell if their carrying amount 
will be recovered principally through 
a sale transaction. They are not 
depreciated or amortised. For an asset 
or disposal group to be classified as 
held for sale, it must be available for 
immediate sale in its present condition 
and its sale must be highly probable.

 An impairment loss is recognised for 
any initial or subsequent write-down 
of the asset (or disposal group) to 
fair value less costs to sell. A gain 
is recognised for any subsequent 
increases in fair value less costs to 
sell of an asset (or disposal group) 
but not in excess of any cumulative 
impairment loss previously recognised. 
A gain or loss not previously 
recognised by the date of the sale 
of the non-current asset (or disposal 
group) is recognised at the date of 
derecognition.

|  93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD)

(af)  significant accounting 

judgements, estimates and 
assumptions

 The carrying amounts of certain 
assets and liabilities are often 
determined based on management’s 
judgement regarding estimates and 
assumptions of future events. The 
reasonableness of estimates and 
underlying assumptions is reviewed 
on an ongoing basis. Revisions to 
accounting estimates are recognised 
in the period in which the estimate 
is revised if the revision affects only 
that period or in the period of the 
revision and future periods if the 
revision affects both current and 
future periods. The key judgements, 
estimates and assumptions that have 
a significant risk of causing a material 
adjustment to the carrying amount of 
certain assets and liabilities within the 
next annual reporting period are:

 Estimates of reserve 
quantities

 The estimated quantities of 
Proven plus Probable hydrocarbon 
reserves reported by the Group 
are integral to the calculation 
of depletion and depreciation 
expense and to assessments of 
possible impairment of assets. 
Estimated reserve quantities are 
based upon interpretations of 
geological and geophysical models 
and assessments of the technical 
feasibility and commercial viability 
of producing the reserves. These 
assessments require assumptions 
to be made regarding future 
development and production 
costs, commodity prices, 
exchange rates and fiscal regimes. 
The estimates of reserves may 
change from period to period as 
the economic assumptions used 
to estimate the reserves can 
change from period to period, 
and as additional geological data 
is generated during the course of 
operations. Reserves estimates 
are prepared in accordance 
with the Group’s policies 

94  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

and procedures for reserves 
estimation which conform to 
guidelines prepared by the 
Society of Petroleum Engineers. 

Exploration and evaluation

 The Group’s policy for exploration 
and evaluation expenditure 
is discussed in note 1(h). The 
application of this policy requires 
management to make certain 
estimates and assumptions as to 
future events and circumstances, 
particularly in relation to the 
assessment of whether economic 
quantities of reserves have been 
found. Any such estimates and 
assumptions may change as new 
information becomes available. If, 
after having capitalised exploration 
and evaluation expenditure, 
management concludes that 
the capitalised expenditure 
is unlikely to be recovered by 
future exploitation or sale, then 
the relevant capitalised amount 
will be written off in the income 
statement. The carrying amount 
of exploration and evaluation 
assets and are disclosed in notes 
11 and 14 respectively.

Provision for restoration

 The Group estimates the future 
removal and restoration costs of 
oil and gas production facilities, 
wells, pipelines and related assets 
at the time of installation of 
the assets and reviews these 
assessments periodically. In most 
instances the removal of these 
assets will occur many years in 
the future. The estimate of future 
removal costs therefore requires 
management to make judgements 
regarding the removal date, future 
environmental legislation, the 
extent of restoration activities 
required and future removal 
technologies.

 The carrying amount of the 
provision for restoration is 
disclosed in note 18.

 Impairment of oil and gas 
assets

 The Group reviews the carrying 
values of its oil and gas assets on 
a semi-annual basis. This requires 
an assessment to determine 
if there are any indicators of 
impairment or reversals of 
impairment. Where such an 
indication exists, the recoverable 
amount of the cash-generating 
unit to which the assets belong 
is then estimated based on the 
present value of future cash 
flows. For oil and gas assets, 
the expected future cash flow 
estimation is always based on 
a number of factors, variables 
and assumptions, the most 
important of which are estimates 
of reserves, future production 
profiles, commodity prices, 
costs and foreign exchange 
rates. In most cases, the present 
value of future cash flows is 
most sensitive to estimates of 
future oil price and discount 
rates. A change in the modelled 
assumptions in isolation could 
materially change the recoverable 
amount. However, due to 
the interrelated nature of the 
assumptions, movements in any 
one variable can have an indirect 
impact on others and individual 
variables rarely change in isolation. 
Additionally, management can 
be expected to respond to 
some movements, to mitigate 
downsides and take advantage of 
upsides, as circumstances allow. 
Consequently, it is impracticable 
to estimate the indirect impact 
that a change in one assumption 
has on other variables and hence, 
on the likelihood, or extent, of 
impairments or reversals of 
impairments under different sets 
of assumptions in subsequent 
reporting periods. In the event 
that future circumstances vary 
from these assumptions, the 
recoverable amount of the 
Group’s oil and gas assets could 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  sIGnIFICAnt ACCountInG PoLICIes (ContInueD) 

change materially and result in 
impairment losses or the reversal 
of previous impairment losses. 
The carrying amount of oil and 
gas assets are discussed further 
in notes 12 and 14 respectively.

 Impairment of other land, 
buildings, plant and equipment 

 The Group assesses whether 
other land, buildings, plant and 
equipment is impaired on a 
semi-annual basis. This requires 

an estimation of the recoverable 
amount of the cash-generating 
unit to which the assets belong. 
The carrying amount of other 
land, buildings, plant and 
equipment are discussed in notes 
13 and 14 respectively.

2.  seGment InFoRmAtIon

The Group has identified its operating segments to be the four business units of Eastern Australia; Western Australia and Northern 
Territory (“WA & NT”); Asia Pacific; and Gladstone LNG (“GLNG”), based on the different geographical regions and the similarity 
of assets within those regions. This is the basis on which internal reports are provided to the Chief Executive Officer for assessing 
performance and determining the allocation of resources within the Group.

The Asia Pacific operating segment includes operations in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, India, Malaysia and Bangladesh. 

The Chief Executive Officer monitors the operating results of its business units separately for the purposes of making decisions about 
allocating resources and assessing performance. Segment performance is measured based on earnings before interest, tax, impairment, 
exploration and evaluation, and gains or losses on sale of non-current assets and controlled entities (“EBITX”). Corporate and exploration 
expenditure and inter-segment eliminations are included in the segment disclosure for reconciliation purposes.

The Group operates primarily in one business: the exploration for, and development, production, transportation and marketing of, 
hydrocarbons. Revenue is derived primarily from the sale of gas and liquid hydrocarbons and the transportation of crude oil.

|  95

 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

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96  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

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|  97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

2.  seGment InFoRmAtIon (ContInueD) 

Note 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

3,115 
337 
492 
155 

4,099 

15,410 
3,561 
921 

19,892 

1,687 
1,878 
317 
155 

4,037 

12 
25 
25 

62 

3,173
307
17
154

3,651

14,117
3,051
988

18,156

1,282
1,834
310
176

3,602

10
20
19

49

4,099 

3,651

5 
– 
5 
(1) 
3 

12 

1
9
7
(2)
9

24

Revenue from external customers by geographical location of production 
Australia   
Vietnam   
Papua New Guinea 
Other countries 

Total revenue 

3 

During the year, revenue from one customer amounted to $1,153 million  
(2013: $1,405 million from two customers), arising from sales  
from all segments of the Group.

non-current assets (other than financial assets and deferred tax assets)  
by geographical location 
Australia   
Papua New Guinea 
Other countries 

3.  Revenue AnD otHeR InCome  

Product sales:  

Gas, ethane and liquefied gas 
Crude oil  
Condensate and naphtha 
Liquefied petroleum gas 

Total product sales* 

Other revenue: 

Overriding royalties 
Pipeline tariffs and processing tolls 
Other 

Total other revenue 

Total revenue 

Other income:  

Insurance recoveries 
Net gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets 
Net gain on sale of oil and gas assets 
Net loss on sale of other land, buildings, plant and equipment 
Other 

Total other income 

*  Total product sales include third-party product sales of $932 million (2013: $830 million).

98  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.  Revenue AnD otHeR InCome (ContInueD) 

net gain on sale of non-current assets 
Proceeds on disposals 
Book value of oil and gas assets disposed 
Book value of other land, buildings, plant and equipment disposed 
Recoupment of prior year exploration and evaluation expenditure 
Book value of working capital disposed 

Total net gain on sale of non-current assets 

Comprising: 

Net gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets 
Net gain on sale of oil and gas assets 
Net loss on sale of other land, buildings, plant and equipment  

Reconciliation to cash inflows from proceeds on disposal of non-current assets 
Proceeds after recoupment of current year exploration and evaluation expenditure 
Amounts received in prior periods 
Amounts receivable  

Amounts received from current year disposals 

Total proceeds on disposal of non-current assets 

Comprising: 

Proceeds from disposal of oil and gas assets 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

7 
(2) 
(1) 
– 
– 

4 

– 
5 
(1) 

4 

7 
– 
(6) 

1 

1 

1 

1 

55
(38)
(2)
(1)
–

14

9
7
(2)

14

55
(9)
–

46

46

46

46

|  99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

Note 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

4.  exPenses 

Cost of sales:   

Cash cost of production: 

Production costs: 

Production expenses 
Production facilities operating leases 

Total production costs 

Other operating costs: 

Pipeline tariffs, processing tolls and other 
Royalty and excise 
Carbon costs 
Shipping costs 

Total other operating costs 

Total cash cost of production 
Depreciation and depletion 
Third-party product purchases 
Increase in product stock 

Total cost of sales 

Impairment of non-current assets: 

Net impairment loss on exploration and evaluation assets 
Net impairment loss on oil and gas assets 
Net impairment loss on other land, buildings, plant and equipment  
Net impairment loss on investments in joint ventures 
Net impairment loss on other assets 

14 
14 
14 
26(b) 

Total impairment of non-current assets 

Other expenses: 
Selling 
Corporate 
Depreciation 
Foreign exchange losses/(gains)* 
Losses from change in fair value of derivative financial assets  

designated as fair value through profit or loss 

Fair value hedges, (gains)/losses: 

On the hedging instrument 
On the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk 

Exploration and evaluation expensed 

Total other expenses 

* 

 The foreign exchange losses for the year ended 31 December 2014 include the following significant  
amounts in relation to foreign functional currency subsidiaries: $166 million loss (2013: $171 million loss)  
relating to the effects of foreign exchange on Australian dollar denominated tax bases and $166 million  
gain (2013: $171 million gain) on foreign functional currency intercompany loans.

(Loss)/profit before tax includes the following: 

Depreciation and depletion: 

Depletion of subsurface assets 
Depreciation of plant and equipment 
Depreciation of buildings 

Total depreciation and depletion 
Minimum lease payments 

100  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

762 
101 

863 

136 
99 
30 
18 

283 

1,146 
988 
786 
(21) 

2,899 

1,170 
1,163 
– 
14 
9 

2,356 

25 
93 
– 
5 

4 

(83) 
20 
256 

320 

459 
527 
2 

988 
101 

617
73

690

122
85
57
–

264

954
885
745
(79)

2,505

6
9
11
–
–

26

30
78
3
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2

(91)
82
192

272

441
444
3

888
73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.  net FInAnCe Costs 

Finance income: 

Interest income 

Total finance income 

Finance costs:  

Interest expense: 

Interest paid to third parties 
Deduct borrowing costs capitalised 

Unwind of the effect of discounting on provisions 

Total finance costs 

Net finance costs 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

19 

19 

290 
(236) 

54 
62 

116 

97 

45

45

228
(228)

–
62

62

17

|  101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

6.  tAxAtIon exPense 

Recognised in the income statement: 

Income tax expense 
Current tax (benefit)/expense 
Current year 
Adjustments for prior years 

Deferred tax (benefit)/expense 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 
Adjustments for prior years 

Total income tax (benefit)/expense 

Royalty-related taxation expense 
Current tax expense 
Current year 
Adjustments for prior years 

Deferred tax benefit 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 
Adjustments for prior years 

Total royalty-related taxation (benefit)/expense 

numerical reconciliation between tax expense and pre-tax net (loss)/profit: 

(Loss)/profit before tax 

Prima facie income tax (benefit)/expense at 30% (2013: 30%) 
Increase/(decrease) in income tax (benefit)/expense due to: 

Foreign losses not recognised 
Non-deductible expenses 
Exchange and other translation variations 
Tax adjustments relating to prior years 
Other 

Income tax (benefit)/expense 
Royalty-related taxation (benefit)/expense 

Total taxation (benefit)/expense 

Deferred tax charged/(credited) directly to equity: 

Net exchange loss on translation of foreign operations 
Net gain on foreign currency loans designated as hedges  

of net investments in foreign operations 

Net gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges 
Remeasurement of defined benefit obligation 

102  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

(156) 
(4) 

(160) 

(310) 
(12) 

(322) 

(482) 

47 
– 

47 

(174) 
– 

(174) 

(127) 

(1,544) 

(463) 

17 
12 
(16) 
(6) 
(26) 

(482) 
(127) 

(609) 

– 

(135) 
(4) 
– 

(139) 

52
2

54

245
(3)

242

296

49
8

57

–
–

–

57

869

261

14
5
13
(2)
5

296
57

353

1

(130)
(1)
6

(124)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.  CAsH AnD CAsH equIvALents 

Cash at bank and in hand 
Short-term deposits 

2014 
$million 

775 
– 

775 

2013 
$million

563
81

644

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents represent fair value. Bank balances and short-term deposits earn interest at floating 
rates based upon market rates.

The Group’s usual cash management process includes investing cash in short-term deposits. As at 31 December 2014, no cash was  
placed in term deposits with original maturities greater than three months (2013: nil). Deposits held with financial institutions approved  
by the Board are readily convertible to cash with commensurate interest adjustments if required.

Restricted cash balances

Barracuda Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in Papua New Guinea, held cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2014 of 
US$4 million (2013: US$3 million) which can only be repatriated to Australia with the permission of the Internal Revenue Commission of 
Papua New Guinea in accordance with the financing plan submitted in respect of PDL 3.

In accordance with the terms of the PNG LNG project financing, cash relating to the Group’s interest in undistributed cash flows of the 
PNG LNG project is required to be held in secured bank accounts. As at 31 December 2014, US$35 million (2013: nil) was held in these 
accounts.

8.  tRADe AnD otHeR ReCeIvABLes 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

Current   
Trade receivables 
Other receivables 

non-current  
Other receivables 

Ageing of trade and other receivables at the reporting date: 

Trade and other receivables not yet due 
Past due not impaired: 

Less than one month 
One to three months 
Three to six months 
Six to twelve months 
Greater than twelve months 

Considered impaired: 

Greater than twelve months 

424 
209 

633 

10 

630 

7 
1 
– 
– 
5 

– 

643 

523
270

793

31

757

33
6
9
15
4

–

824

Trade receivables are non interest-bearing and settlement terms are generally within 30 days. Trade receivables that are neither past due 
nor impaired relate to a number of independent customers for whom there is no recent history of default.

Impaired receivables

An allowance for impairment loss is recognised when there is objective evidence that an individual trade or other receivable is impaired. 
No impairment loss (2013: nil) was recognised by the Group during the year.

|  103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

9. 

InventoRIes 

Petroleum products  
Drilling and maintenance stocks  

Total inventories at lower of cost and net realisable value 

Inventories included above that are stated at net realisable value  

10.  otHeR FInAnCIAL Assets 

Current   
Amounts held in escrow 
Receivables due from other related entities 
Interest rate swap contracts 

non-current  
Interest rate swap contracts 
Cross-currency swap contracts 
Embedded derivatives 
Available-for-sale financial assets 
Other 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

293 
150 

443 

53 

61 
– 
5 

66 

136 
– 
1 
10 
19 

166 

260
159

419

59

–
1
2

3

142
65
5
10
14

236

Included within other non-current financial assets of $19 million at 31 December 2014 is an allowance for impairment loss of $9 million 
(2013: nil) in relation to the Group’s decision to withdraw from the Indonesian coal bed methane production sharing contract. 

104  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11.   exPLoRAtIon AnD 

evALuAtIon Assets 

subsurface 
assets 
$million 

Plant and 
equipment 
$million 

total 
$million 

Subsurface 
assets 
$million 

2014 

2013

Plant and 
equipment 
$million 

Total 
$million

Cost  
Less impairment 

Balance at 31 December 

Reconciliation of movements 
Balance at 1 January  
Acquisitions of exploration and  

evaluation assets 

Additions  
Disposals and recoupment 
Exploration and evaluation expensed 
Impairment losses 
Transfer to oil and gas assets  

in development 

Transfer to oil and gas assets  

in production 
Exchange differences 

Balance at 31 December 

Comprising: 

Acquisition costs 
Successful exploration wells 
Exploration and evaluation assets  

pending determination of success 

2,310 
(1,230) 

1,080 

1,936 

64 
450 
– 
(92) 
(1,170) 

(10) 

(123) 
25 

1,080 

391 
573 

116 

1,080 

26 
– 

26 

28 

– 
1 
– 
(3) 
– 

– 

– 
– 

26 

18 
8 

– 

26 

2,336 
(1,230) 

1,106 

1,984 
(48) 

1,936 

1,964 

1,482 

64 
451 
– 
(95) 
(1,170) 

(10) 

(123) 
25 

1,106 

409 
581 

116 

1,106 

149 
533 
(1) 
(90) 
(6) 

(9) 

(131) 
9 

1,936 

1,205 
669 

62 

1,936 

28 
– 

28 

28 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

28 

17 
11 

– 

28 

2,012
(48)

1,964

1,510

149
533
(1)
(90)
(6)

(9)

(131)
9

1,964

1,222
680

62

1,964

|  105

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

12.  oIL AnD GAs Assets 

Cost  
Less accumulated depreciation,  

depletion and impairment 

2014 

subsurface 
assets 
$million 

Plant and 
equipment 
$million 

total 
$million 

Subsurface 
assets 
$million 

2013

Plant and 
equipment 
$million 

Total 
$million

12,494 

19,259 

31,753 

11,120 

15,843 

26,963

(7,864) 

(5,467) 

(13,331) 

(6,478) 

(4,662) 

(11,140)

Balance at 31 December 

4,630 

13,792 

18,422 

4,642 

11,181 

15,823

Reconciliation of movements 
Assets in development 
Balance at 1 January 
Acquisition of oil and gas assets 
Additions  
Capitalised depreciation 
Transfer from exploration and 

evaluation assets 

Transfer to oil and gas assets  

in production 
Net impairment reversals 
Exchange differences 

1,225 
– 
248 
– 

10 

7,832 
– 
1,637 
15 

9,057 
– 
1,885 
15 

– 

10 

(1,094) 
– 
35 

(4,386) 
– 
469 

(5,480) 
– 
504 

899 
30 
304 
– 

9 

(162) 
9 
136 

4,499 
– 
2,485 
11 

– 

(96) 
20 
913 

Balance at 31 December 

424 

5,567 

5,991 

1,225 

7,832 

Producing assets 
Balance at 1 January 
Acquisitions of oil and gas assets 
Additions  
Transfer from exploration and  

evaluation assets 

Transfer from oil and gas assets  

in development 

Disposals  
Depreciation and depletion  
Net impairment losses 
Impairment of exploration and evaluation  

expenditure pending commercialisation 

Exchange differences 

Balance at 31 December 

total oil and gas assets 

Comprising: 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure  

pending commercialisation 

Other capitalised expenditure 

3,417 
6 
757 

123 

1,094 
(7) 
(459) 
(820) 

(70) 
165 

4,206 

4,630 

184 
4,446 

4,630 

3,349 
10 
879 

6,766 
16 
1,636 

– 

123 

4,386 
(3) 
(499) 
(273) 

– 
376 

5,480 
(10) 
(958) 
(1,093) 

(70) 
541 

8,225 

12,431 

13,792 

18,422 

– 
13,792 

13,792 

184 
18,238 

18,422 

3,071 
13 
403 

131 

162 
(34) 
(441) 
(28) 

– 
140 

3,417 

4,642 

190 
4,452 

4,642 

3,088 
– 
570 

– 

96 
(21) 
(410) 
(10) 

– 
36 

3,349 

11,181 

– 
11,181 

11,181 

5,398
30
2,789
11

9

(258)
29
1,049

9,057

6,159
13
973

131

258
(55)
(851)
(38)

–
176

6,766

15,823

190
15,633

15,823

106  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13.  otHeR LAnD, BuILDInGs, 

PLAnt AnD equIPment 

Land and 
buildings 
$million 

Plant and 
equipment 
$million 

total 
$million 

Land and 
buildings 
$million 

2014 

Cost  
Less accumulated depreciation  

and impairment 

Balance at 31 December 

Reconciliation of movements 
Balance at 1 January 
Additions  
Disposals  
Impairment losses 
Depreciation  
Exchange differences  

Balance at 31 December 

92 

(10) 

82 

80 
4 
– 
– 
(2) 
– 

82 

483 

575 

(298) 

(308) 

185 

267 

179 
49 
(1) 
– 
(43) 
1 

185 

259 
53 
(1) 
– 
(45) 
1 

267 

91 

(11) 

80 

76 
8 
– 
(2) 
(3) 
1 

80 

2013

Plant and 
equipment 
$million 

501 

(322) 

179 

183 
50 
– 
(9) 
(45) 
– 

179 

Total 
$million

592

(333)

259

259
58
–
(11)
(48)
1

259

14.  ImPAIRment oF non-CuRRent Assets

At 31 December 2014, the Group reassessed the carrying amounts of its non-current assets for indicators of impairment in accordance 
with the Group’s accounting policy (refer notes 1(h) and 1(p)).

Estimates of recoverable amount are based on an asset’s value in use or fair value less costs to sell (level 3 fair value hierarchy), using  
a discounted cash flow method, and are most sensitive to the key assumptions described in note 1(p).

Recoverable amounts and resulting impairment write-downs recognised in the year ended 31 December 2014 are: 

2014 
Area of interest/CGu 

segment 

exploration and evaluation assets 
Gunnedah Basin 
Carnarvon Basin  

(Winchester, Zola/Bianchi) 

Browse Basin (Bassett-West) 
Bangladesh (Magnama) 
Indonesia (CBM interests) 

Eastern Australia 

WA & NT 
WA & NT 
Asia Pacific 
Asia Pacific 

Total impairment of exploration and evaluation assets 

oil and gas assets 
Cooper Basin (specific oil assets) 
Cooper Basin  

(unconventional resources) 

Mereenie 
Carnarvon Basin (Stag, Barrow,  

Thevenard, Mutineer-Exeter/ 
Fletcher Finucane) 
Vietnam (Chim Sáo/Dua)  
SE Gobe 

Eastern Australia 

Eastern Australia 
Eastern Australia 

WA & NT 
Asia Pacific 
Asia Pacific 

Total impairment of oil and gas assets 

Total impairment of non-current assets   

subsurface 
assets 
$million 

Plant and 
equipment 
$million 

  Recoverable 

total 
$million 

amount* 
$million

808 

198 
57 
49 
58 

1,170 

574 

70 
68 

113 
60 
5 

890 

2,060 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

114 

– 
32 

88 
37 
2 

273 

273 

808 

198 
57 
49 
58 

1,170 

688 

70 
100 

201 
97 
7 

1,163 

2,333 

543

nil
nil
nil
nil

883

70
145

456
336
nil

*Recoverable amounts represent the carrying values of assets before deducting the carrying value of restoration liabilities.

The post-tax discount rates that have been applied to the above non-current assets range between 8.6% and 14.4%. The impairment 
charges noted above primarily result from the lower oil price environment and, in some cases, a consequential reduction in future capital 
expenditure that diminishes or removes the path to commercialisation. With regards to Gunnedah Basin, lower reserves and a delayed 
start-up were also significant contributors to a lower recoverable amount.

|  107

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

14.  ImPAIRment oF non-CuRRent Assets (ContInueD)

2013 
Area of interest/CGu 

segment 

exploration and evaluation assets 
Indonesia 
Amadeus 

Asia Pacific 
Eastern Australia 

Total impairment of exploration and evaluation assets 

oil and gas assets 
Thevenard, Jabiru Challis 
Kipper 
Cooper Basin (SE Queensland,  
conventional and near  
field exploration) 

Other 

WA & NT 
Eastern Australia 

Eastern Australia 
Asia Pacific 

Total impairment/(reversal) of oil and gas assets 

Total impairment/(reversal) of non-current assets 

  subsurface 
assets 
$million 

Plant and 
equipment 
$million 

total 
$million

5 
1 

6 

14 
(9) 

25 
(11) 

19 

25 

– 
– 

– 

12 
(20) 

2 
(4) 

(10) 

(10) 

5
1

6

26
(29)

27
(15)

9

15

In 2013 the Group recorded a number of minor impairment/(reversal) charges, the most significant of which was a $29 million reversal 
to the Kipper CGU as a result of improved projected cash flows as the commercialisation strategy of the asset matures, and $25 million 
impairment to Thevenard as a result of changes in abandonment and restoration estimates. The post-tax discount rates that have been 
applied to the above non-current assets range between 8.8% and 17.0%.

other land, buildings, plant and equipment 

At 31 December 2014, the Group reassessed the carrying amount of its other land, buildings, plant and equipment assets for indicators of 
impairment. As a result, no impairment charges were identified (2013: $11 million). 

108  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15.  DeFeRReD tAx Assets 

AnD LIABILItIes 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million 

2014 
$million 

2013
$million

Assets 

Liabilities 

net

Recognised deferred tax assets  

and liabilities

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are 
attributable to the following:

Exploration and evaluation assets 
Oil and gas assets 
Other land, buildings, plant  
and equipment 

Available-for-sale financial assets 
Trade receivables 
Other receivables 
Inventories 
Derivative financial instruments 
Other assets 
Interest-bearing loans  

and borrowings 

Other liabilities 
Provisions 
Royalty-related taxation 
Other items 
Tax value of carry-forward losses  

recognised 

Tax assets/(liabilities) 
Set-off of tax 

Net tax assets/(liabilities) 

19 
– 

– 
– 
3 
– 
– 
4 
– 

151 
3 
130 
– 
– 

303 

613 
(590) 

23 

16 
– 

6 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
7 

100 
33 
271 
– 
– 

54 

(274) 
(721) 

(3) 
(24) 
– 
(7) 
(5) 
– 
(16) 

(7) 
– 
– 
(120) 
(7) 

– 

– 
(24) 
(3) 
(6) 
(2) 
(64) 
(10) 

– 
(2) 
– 
(411) 
(11) 

– 

487 
(475) 

12 

(1,184) 
590 

(1,702) 
475 

(594) 

(1,227) 

unrecognised deferred tax assets
Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the following items: 

Temporary differences in relation to investments in subsidiaries 
Deductible temporary differences relating to royalty-related taxation (net of income tax) 
Other deductible temporary differences 
Tax losses 

(556) 
(613) 

(255) 
(721) 

(540)
(613)

(3) 
(24) 
3 
(7) 
(5) 
4 
(16) 

144 
3 
130 
(120) 
(7) 

303 

(571) 
– 

(571) 

6
(24)
(3)
(6)
(2)
(64)
(3)

100
31
271
(411)
(11)

54

(1,215)
–

(1,215)

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

5,536 
5,567 
172 
443 

11,718 

3,396
4,286
250
390

8,322

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of these items because it is not probable that the temporary differences  
will reverse in the future and that there will be sufficient future taxable profits against which the benefits can be utilised. Tax losses of  
$79 million (2013: $58 million) will expire between 2021 and 2028. The remaining deductible temporary differences and tax losses do not 
expire under current tax legislation.

16.  tRADe AnD otHeR PAyABLes 

Trade payables 
Non-trade payables 

2014 
$million 

1,235 
147 

1,382 

2013 
$million

1,127
108

1,235

|  109

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

17.  InteRest-BeARInG LoAns AnD BoRRoWInGs 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

This note provides information about the contractual terms of the Group’s interest-bearing loans and borrowings. For more information 
about the Group’s exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risk, see note 37.

Current   
Finance leases 
Commercial paper   
Bank loans – unsecured 
Medium-term notes 
Long-term notes 

non-current  
Finance leases 
Bank loans – secured 
Bank loans – unsecured 
Medium-term notes 
Long-term notes 
Subordinated notes 

2 
140 
19 
102 
64 

327 

7 
2,282 
3,269 
– 
777 
1,590 

7,925 

1
100
17
–
71

189

5
1,860
1,119
105
838
1,655

5,582

The Group has entered into interest rate swap contracts to manage the exposure to interest rates. This has resulted in a weighted  
average interest rate on interest-bearing liabilities of 4.32% as at 31 December 2014 (2013: 5.21%).

All borrowings are unsecured, with the exception of the secured bank loans and finance leases. 

All interest-bearing loans and borrowings, with the exception of secured bank loans and finance leases, are borrowed through Santos 
Finance Ltd, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Santos Limited. 

All interest-bearing loans and borrowings by Santos Finance Ltd are guaranteed by Santos Limited.

Details of major credit facilities

(a)  Bank loans – secured

secured assets 

 year of maturity 

Currency 

PNG LNG 

PNG LNG

2024/2026 

USD 

effective interest rate 

2014 
% 

4.26 

2013 
% 

4.73 

2014 
$million 

2013
$million

2,282 

1,860

 Loan facilities for the PNG LNG project, in which Santos entities hold an equity interest of 13.5%, were entered into by the joint 
venture participants on 15 December 2009 and are provided by 17 commercial banks and six export credit agencies, bear fixed 
and floating rates of interest and have estimated final maturity dates (subject to the date of financial completion of the PNG LNG 
project) of December 2024 and December 2026 respectively. 

 During 2013 supplemental loan financing was raised by the joint venture participants. The funds were sourced from co-venturer and 
commercial bank lenders. 

As at 31 December 2014, US$109 million (A$133 million) (2013: US$313 million (A$351 million)) of the facility limit remains undrawn. 

110  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17.  InteRest-BeARInG LoAns AnD BoRRoWInGs (ContInueD)

Details of major credit facilities (continued)

(a)  Bank loans – secured (continued)

PNG LNG (continued)

 The facilities include security over assets and entitlements of the participants in respect of the project. The carrying values of the  
Group’s assets pledged as security are:

Trade and other receivables 
Oil and gas assets – Producing assets  

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

176 
3,498 

3,674 

96
2,994

3,090

 As referred to in note 7, under the terms of the project financing, cash relating to the Group’s interest in undistributed project cash 
flows is required to be held in secured bank accounts. Funds held in these accounts attributable to the Group may be withdrawn  
on the provision of acceptable credit support to the lenders. As at 31 December 2014, letters of credit totalling US$290 million 
(A$354 million) (2013: nil) had been issued.

(b)  Bank loans – unsecured

Term bank loans

year of maturity 

2015 – 2017 

effective interest rate 

Currency 

USD 

2014 
% 

0.40 

2013 
% 

0.60 

2014 
$million 

2013
$million

59 

71

 Term bank loans bear interest at the relevant interbank reference rate. The amount outstanding at 31 December 2014 is  
US$48 million (A$59 million) (2013: US$63 million (A$71 million)).

Export credit agency supported loan facilities

 At 31 December 2014, the Group had loan facilities of US$1,730 million (A$2,115 million) (2013: US$1,200 million (A$1,347 million)) 
supported by various export credit agencies, which have estimated maturity dates (subject to the date of practical completion of the 
GLNG project) between 2016 and 2024. 

year of maturity 

2016 – 2024 

effective interest rate 

Currency 

USD 

2014 
% 

2.79 

2013 
% 

3.39 

2014 
$million 

2013
$million

2,083 

966

 Export credit agency loans bear interest at the relevant interbank reference rate plus a margin. The principal outstanding at  
31 December 2014 is US$1,730 million (A$2,115 million) (2013: US$888 million (A$997 million)). 

Bilateral bank loan facility

During the year the Group entered into an additional loan facility of A$1,000 million which matures in 2018.

 As at 31 December 2014, the Group had bilateral bank loan facilities of A$2,050 million (2013: A$1,050 million) and US$1,100 million 
(A$1,345 million) (2013: US$1,100 million (A$1,235 million)) which mature between 2016 and 2018. 

As at 31 December 2014, the Group had drawn A$1,150 million (2013: $100 million) of these bank loan facilities.

|  111

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

17.  InteRest-BeARInG LoAns AnD BoRRoWInGs (ContInueD)

Details of major credit facilities (continued)

(c)  medium-term notes

 The Group has a $1,000 million (2013: $1,000 million) Australian medium-term note program under which the following were issued in 
2005:

year of issue 

 year of maturity 

2005 

2015 

effective interest rate 

2014 
% 

3.23 

2013 
% 

3.58 

2014 
$million 

2013
$million

102 

105

The principal outstanding at 31 December 2014 is A$100 million (2013: A$100 million).

(d)  Long-term notes

 The Group has issued long-term notes in the US Private Placement market with varying maturities. The Group has the following notes on 
issue:

year of issue 

 year of maturity 

2000 
2002 
2007 

2015 
2017 – 2022 
2017 – 2027 

effective interest rate 

2014 
% 

2.00 
1.87 
1.28 

2013 
% 

1.98 
1.80 
1.24 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

64 
105 
672 

841 

62
174
673

909

 Long-term notes bear interest at 6.05% to 8.44% (2013: 5.95% to 8.44%) fixed rate interest, which has been swapped to floating 
rate commitments. In January 2013, the Group entered into interest rate swap contracts, under which it has a right to receive interest 
at floating US dollar rates and pay interest at fixed US dollar interest rates. These contracts are in place to cover coupon payments 
through to the end of 2016. 

The principal outstanding at 31 December 2014 is US$627 million (A$766 million) (2013: US$688 million (A$772 million)).

(e)  subordinated notes

 The Group has issued €1,000 million in subordinated notes, which mature after 60 years but which can be redeemed at the Group’s  
option on or after 22 September 2017.

year of issue 

 year of maturity 

2010  

2070 

effective interest rate 

2014 
% 

6.11 

2013 
% 

6.25 

2014 
$million 

2013
$million

1,590 

1,655

 The subordinated notes accrue fixed coupons at a rate of 8.25% (2013: 8.25%) per annum for the first seven years, and thereafter 
on a floating rate basis plus a 6.85% margin. The subordinated notes are not convertible into Santos Limited ordinary shares.

(f)  Commercial paper

 The Group has an A$800 million (2013: A$800 million) uncommitted, revolving Australian dollar commercial paper program. As at  
31 December 2014, the Group had drawn A$140 million (2013: A$100 million) of commercial paper.

112  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18.  PRovIsIons 

Current   
Employee benefits 
Restoration 
Remediation 
Carbon 
Other 

non-current  
Employee benefits 
Defined benefit obligations (refer note 28) 
Restoration 
Carbon 

movement in provisions

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

104 
36 
– 
20 
9 

169 

13 
2 
2,121 
– 

2,136 

96
42
2
34
11

185

12
3
1,726
7

1,748

Movements in each class of provision during the financial year, other than provisions relating to employee benefits, are set out below:

total restoration  total remediation 
$million 

$million 

total carbon 
$million 

total 
$million

Balance at 1 January 2014 
Provisions made during the year 
Provisions used during the year 
Unwind of discount  
Disposal of provision 
Change in discount rate 
Exchange differences 

Balance at 31 December 2014 

Restoration

1,768 
74 
(53) 
62 
(8) 
278 
36 

2,157 

2 
– 
(2) 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

41 
29 
(50) 
– 
– 
– 
– 

20 

1,811
103
(105)
62
(8)
278
36

2,177

Provisions for future removal and restoration costs are recognised when there is a present obligation as a result of exploration,  
development, production, transportation or storage activities having been undertaken, and it is probable that an outflow of economic 
benefits will be required to settle the obligation. The estimated future obligations include the costs of removing facilities, abandoning  
wells and restoring the affected areas.

Remediation

Provisions for remediation costs are recognised when there is a present obligation as a result of an unexpected event that occurs  
outside of the planned operations of an asset.

Carbon

Provisions for carbon costs are recognised when there is a present obligation to settle the Group’s emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

19.  otHeR FInAnCIAL LIABILItIes 

Current   
Other 

non-current  
Cross-currency swap contracts 
Other 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

3 

3 

154 
27 

181 

4

4

–
32

32

|  113

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

20.  IssueD CAPItAL 

983,750,151 (2013: 972,088,279) listed ordinary shares, fully paid 
43,000 (2013: 54,500) ordinary shares, paid to one cent 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

6,905 
– 

6,905 

6,749
–

6,749

In accordance with changes to applicable corporations legislation effective from 1 July 1998, the shares issued do not have a par value  
and there is no limit on the authorised share capital of the Company.

Note 

2014 
2013 
number of shares  

2014 
$million 

2013
$million

movement in fully paid ordinary shares 
Balance at 1 January 
Santos Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRP”) 
Santos Employee Share1000 Plan 
Santos Employee ShareMatch Plan 
Shares issued on exercise of options 
Shares issued on vesting of Share Acquisition Rights 
Santos ESG Employee Incentive Plan 
Santos Executive Share Plan 

  972,088,279 
10,342,340 
111,507 
536,383 
99,400 
560,742 
– 
11,500 

29(a) 
29(a) 
29(b) 
29(a,b) 
29(c) 
29(f) 

961,184,172 
9,744,359 
138,408 
501,039 
10,000 
510,301 
– 
– 

6,749 
145 
2 
8 
1 
– 
– 
– 

Balance at 31 December 

  983,750,151 

972,088,279 

6,905 

6,608
132
2
6
–
–
1
–

6,749

Fully paid ordinary shares carry one vote per share, which entitles the holder to participate in dividends and the proceeds on winding up of 
the Company in proportion to the number of and amounts paid on the shares held. The market price of the Company’s ordinary shares on 
31 December 2014 was $8.25 (2013: $14.63).

santos Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The Santos Dividend Reinvestment Plan is in operation. Shares are allocated at the arithmetic average of the daily weighted average 
market price of the Company’s shares on the ASX over a period of 10 business days commencing on the second business day after the 
Dividend Record Date. At this time, the Board has determined that a 1.5% discount will apply to the Santos Dividend Reinvestment Plan 
on the final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2014. The last date for the receipt of an election notice to participate in the Santos 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan is the record date, 27 February 2015. 

Capital risk management

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, allowing returns to shareholders 
and benefits for other stakeholders to be maintained, and to retain an efficient capital structure. In order to optimise the capital structure, 
the Group may adjust its dividend distribution policy, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares, draw or repay debt or undertake 
other corporate initiatives consistent with its strategic objectives.

In applying these objectives, the Group aims to:

 • minimise the weighted average cost of capital whilst retaining appropriate financial flexibility;

 • ensure ongoing access to a range of debt and equity markets; and

 • maintain an investment grade credit rating. 

A range of financial metrics are used to monitor the capital structure including ratios measuring Gearing, Funds from Operations to Debt 
(“FFO-to-Debt”) and Debt over Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (“Debt-to-EBITDA”). The Group monitors 
these capital structure metrics on both an actual and forecast basis.

During December 2014, Santos Limited’s corporate credit rating was lowered to BBB with negative outlook by Standard & Poor’s. 

114  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21.  ReseRves AnD RetAIneD eARnInGs 

Reserves 
Balance at 1 January 2013 
Net exchange gain on translation of foreign operations 
Net loss on foreign currency loans designated as hedges 

of net investments in foreign operations 

Net loss on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges 

Balance at 31 December 2013 

Balance at 1 January 2014 
Net exchange gain on translation of foreign operations 
Net loss on foreign currency loans designated as hedges  

of net investments in foreign operations 

Net loss on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges 

Balance at 31 December 2014 

nature and purpose of reserves

Translation reserve

translation 
reserve 
$million 

Hedging 
reserve 
$million 

total 
$million

(407) 
767 

(303) 
– 

57 

57 
623 

(315) 
– 

365 

(6) 
– 

– 
(4) 

(10) 

(10) 
– 

– 
(9) 

(19) 

(413)
767

(303)
(4)

47

47
623

(315)
(9)

346

The translation reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign 
operations where their functional currency is different from the presentation currency of the reporting entity, as well as from the 
translation of liabilities that hedge the Company’s net investment in a foreign subsidiary and exchange differences that arise on the 
translation of monetary items that form part of the net investment in a foreign operation. 

Hedging reserve

The hedging reserve comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments 
related to hedged transactions that have not yet occurred.

Retained earnings

Balance at 1 January  
Net (loss)/profit after tax 
Remeasurement of defined benefit obligation 
Share-based payments 
Dividends paid 

Balance at 31 December 

2014 
$million 

3,420 
(935) 
– 
22 
(341) 

2,166 

2013 
$million

3,163
516
14
16
(289)

3,420

|  115

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

22.  DIvIDenDs

Dividends recognised during the year

Dividends recognised during the year by the Company are:

2014 
Interim 2014 ordinary 
Final 2013 ordinary 

2013 
Interim 2013 ordinary 
Final 2012 ordinary 

Dividend 
per share 
¢ 

total 
$million 

Franked/ 
unfranked 

Payment 
date

20 
15 

35 

15 
15 

30 

195 
146 

341 

145 
144 

289 

Franked 
Franked 

30 sep 2014
26 mar 2014

Franked 
Franked 

30 Sep 2013
28 Mar 2013

Franked dividends paid during the year were franked at the tax rate of 30%.

Dividends declared in respect of the year

Dividends declared in respect of the year by the Company are:

2014 
Final 2014 ordinary* 
Interim 2014 ordinary 

2013 
Final 2013 ordinary 
Interim 2013 ordinary 

Dividend 
per share 
¢ 

total 
$million 

Franked/ 
unfranked 

Payment  

Date

15 
20 

35 

15 
15 

30 

148 
195 

343 

146 
145 

291 

Franked 
Franked 

25 mar 2015
30 sep 2014

Franked 
Franked 

26 Mar 2014
30 Sep 2013

* After the reporting date, the final 2014 ordinary dividend of 15 cents per share was proposed by the Directors. The financial effect of these dividends has not been brought to account in the 

financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014 and will be recognised in subsequent financial reports. 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

Dividend franking account   

30% franking credits available to the shareholders of Santos Limited for future distribution,  
after adjusting for franking credits which will arise from the payment of the current tax  
liability at 31 December 

737 

845

The impact on the dividend franking account of dividends proposed after the reporting date but not recognised as a liability is to reduce  
it by $63 million (2013: $63 million).

116  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23.  eARnInGs PeR sHARe

Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit or loss for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of  
Santos Limited by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit or loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of Santos 
Limited by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of ordinary 
shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

Earnings used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share reconciles to the net profit or loss after tax in the income 
statement as follows:

Earnings used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share 

2014 
$million 

(935) 

2013 
$million

516

 The weighted average number of shares used for the purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share reconciles to the number used  
to calculate basic earnings per share as follows:

Basic earnings per share 

Partly paid shares 
Executive share options 
Share acquisition rights 

Diluted earnings per share 

earnings per share attributable to the equity holders of santos Limited 

Basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

2014 
number of shares

2013

978,166,528 

967,518,485

– 
– 
– 

41,933
493,628
4,690,743

978,166,528 

972,744,789

2014 
¢ 

(95.6) 

(95.6) 

2013 
¢

53.3

53.0

Partly paid shares issued under the Santos Executive Share Plan, options issued under the Santos Executive Share Option Plan and  
Share Acquisition Rights (“SARs”) issued to eligible executives and employees have been classified as potential ordinary shares and 
included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share in 2013, but excluded in 2014 as the impact is anti-dilutive due to the net  
loss after tax. The number of shares included in the calculation in 2013 is that assumed to be issued for no consideration, being the 
difference between the number that would have been issued at the exercise price and the number that would have been issued at the 
average market price. The weighted average number of shares used for the purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share in 2013 
was retrospectively adjusted for the effect of a 2.5% discount applicable to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan in respect of the 2013 final 
dividend and 2014 interim dividend. 

During the year 99,400 (2013: 10,000) options, 560,742 (2013: 482,799) SARs and 11,500 (2013: nil) partly paid shares were converted to 
ordinary shares. The diluted earnings per share calculation includes that portion of these options, SARs and partly paid shares assumed 
to be issued for nil consideration, weighted with reference to the date of conversion. The weighted average number included in 2014 is nil 
(2013: 134,381) as the resulting impact is anti-dilutive owing to the net loss after tax.

During the year 51,300 (2013: 142,235) options and 803,868 (2013: 737,503) SARs lapsed. The diluted earnings per share calculation 
includes that portion of these options and SARs assumed to be issued for nil consideration, weighted with reference to the date the 
options and SARs lapsed. The weighted average number included in 2014 is nil (2013: 25,097) as the resulting impact is anti-dilutive,  
owing to the net loss after tax.

|  117

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

24.  ConsoLIDAteD entItIes 

name

Country of incorporation name

Country of incorporation

santos Limited (Parent Company)
Controlled entities1: 
Alliance Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd2
Basin Oil Pty Ltd2
Bridgefield Pty Ltd
Bridge Oil Developments Pty Ltd2
Bronco Energy Pty Ltd
Canso Resources Pty Ltd
Doce Pty Ltd
Fairview Pipeline Pty Ltd
Farmout Drillers Pty Ltd
Gidgealpa Oil Pty Ltd
Kipper GS Pty Ltd

Controlled entities of Kipper GS Pty Ltd
Santos Carbon Pty Ltd

Controlled entity of Santos Carbon Pty Ltd
SB Jethro Pty Ltd

Moonie Pipeline Company Pty Ltd
Reef Oil Pty Ltd2
Santos Asia Pacific Pty Ltd

Controlled entities of Santos Asia Pacific Pty Ltd
Santos (Sampang) Pty Ltd
Santos (Warim) Pty Ltd

Santos Australian Hydrocarbons Pty Ltd
Santos (BOL) Pty Ltd2

Controlled entity of Santos (BOL) Pty Ltd
Bridge Oil Exploration Pty Ltd

Santos Browse Pty Ltd
Santos CSG Pty Ltd
Santos Darwin LNG Pty Ltd2
Santos Direct Pty Ltd
Santos Facilities Pty Ltd
Santos Finance Ltd
Santos GLNG Pty Ltd

Controlled entity of Santos GLNG Pty Ltd
Santos GLNG Corp

Santos (Globe) Pty Ltd
Santos International Holdings Pty Ltd

Controlled entities of Santos International Holdings

Pty Ltd
Barracuda Ltd
CJSC South Petroleum Company1
Lavana Ltd
Sanro Insurance Pte Ltd
Santos Americas and Europe Corporation

Controlled entities of Santos Americas and 

Europe Corp
Santos TPY Corp

Controlled entities of Santos TPY Corp
Santos Queensland Corp
Santos TOG Corp

Controlled entities of Santos TOG Corp
Santos TOGA Pty Ltd
Santos TPY CSG Corp

Santos Bangladesh Ltd
Santos Baturaja Pty Ltd

118  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

AUS  

Controlled entities of Santos International Holdings

AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  

AUS  

AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  

AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  

Pty Ltd (cont)

Santos (BBF) Pty Ltd

Controlled entities of Santos (BBF) Pty Ltd
Santos (SPV) Pty Ltd

Controlled entity of Santos (SPV) Pty Ltd
Santos (Madura Offshore) Pty Ltd

Santos Belida Pty Ltd
Santos (Donggala) Pty Ltd
Santos Egypt Pty Ltd
Santos EOM Pty Ltd
Santos Hides Ltd
Santos International Pte Ltd
Santos International Operations Pty Ltd
Santos Niugini Exploration Ltd
Santos OIG Pty Ltd
Santos (Papalang) Pty Ltd
Santos (Popodi) Pty Ltd
Santos Sabah Block R Limited3
Santos Sangu Field Ltd
Santos (UK) Limited

Controlled entities of Santos (UK) Limited
Santos Northwest Natuna B.V. 
Santos Sabah Block S Limited3
Santos Petroleum Ventures B.V.

Santos Vietnam Pty Ltd
Zhibek Resources Ltd1

AUS  
AUS Santos (JBJ1) Pty Ltd
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS Santos (JPDA 06–104) Pty Ltd
AUS Santos (JPDA 91–12) Pty Ltd

Controlled entities of Santos (JBJ1) Pty Ltd
Santos (JBJ2) Pty Ltd

Controlled entity of Santos (JBJ2) Pty Ltd
Shaw River Power Station Pty Ltd

Santos (NARNL Cooper) Pty Ltd2

USA Santos NSW Pty Ltd
AUS  
AUS  

Controlled entities of Santos NSW Pty Ltd
Santos NSW (Betel) Pty Ltd
Santos NSW (Hillgrove) Pty Ltd
Santos NSW (Holdings) Pty Ltd

PNG  
KGZ  
PNG  
SGP  
USA  

USA  

USA  
USA  

 Controlled entities of Santos NSW (Holdings) 

Pty Ltd

Santos NSW (LNGN) Pty Ltd
Santos NSW (Pipeline) Pty Ltd
Santos NSW (Sales) Pty Ltd
Santos NSW (Narrabri Energy) Pty Ltd

 Controlled entities of Santos NSW (Narrabri
Energy) Pty Ltd
Santos NSW (Eastern) Pty Ltd
Santos NSW (Sulu) Pty Ltd
Santos NSW (Tooncomet) Pty Ltd
Santos NSW (Narrabri Power) Pty Ltd
Santos NSW (Operations) Pty Ltd

AUS  
USA Santos (N.T.) Pty Ltd
GBR  
AUS  

Controlled entity of Santos (N.T.) Pty Ltd
Bonaparte Gas & Oil Pty Ltd

AUS

AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
PNG
SGP
AUS
PNG
AUS
AUS
AUS
GBR
GBR
GBR

NLD
GBR
NLD
AUS
GBR
AUS

AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24.  ConsoLIDAteD entItIes (continued)

name

Country of incorporation name

Country of incorporation

Santos Offshore Pty Ltd2
Santos Petroleum Pty Ltd2
Santos QLD Upstream Developments Pty Ltd
Santos QNT Pty Ltd2

Controlled entities of Santos QNT Pty Ltd
Outback Energy Hunter Pty Ltd
Santos QNT (No. 1) Pty Ltd2

Controlled entities of Santos QNT (No. 1) Pty Ltd
Santos Petroleum Management Pty Ltd
Santos Petroleum Operations Pty Ltd
TMOC Exploration Pty Ltd

Santos QNT (No. 2) Pty Ltd2

AUS  
AUS  
AUS  
AUS  

 Controlled entities of Santos QNT (No. 2) Pty Ltd

(cont)

Santos Upstream Pty Ltd

Santos TPC Pty Ltd
Santos Wilga Park Pty Ltd

AUS Santos Resources Pty Ltd
AUS Santos (TGR) Pty Ltd

Santos Timor Sea Pipeline Pty Ltd

AUS Santos Ventures Pty Ltd
AUS  
AUS SESAP Pty Ltd
AUS Vamgas Pty Ltd2

(formerly Santos International Ventures Pty Ltd)

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS

 Controlled entities of Santos QNT (No. 2) Pty Ltd
Moonie Oil Pty Ltd
Petromin Pty Ltd
Santos (299) Pty Ltd (in liquidation)
Santos Exploration Pty Ltd
Santos Gnuco Pty Ltd

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

notes
1.  Beneficial interests in all controlled entities are 100%, except:

•	 CJSC	South	Petroleum	Company	(70%);	and
•	 Zhibek	Resources	Ltd	(75%).

2.  Company is party to a Deed of Cross Guarantee. Refer note 36.
3.  Company incorporated during the year.

Country of incorporation
AUS  –  Australia
GBR  –  United Kingdom
KGZ  –  Kyrgyz Republic
NLD  –  Netherlands
PNG  –  Papua New Guinea
SGP  –  Singapore
USA  –  United States of America

25.  ACquIsItIons AnD DIsPosALs oF suBsIDIARIes

(a)  Acquisitions

During the financial year the following controlled entities were acquired and their operating results have been included in the income 
statement from the date of acquisition:

name of entity 

Date of  
acquisition 

  Contribution 
to 
   consolidated 
Purchase  profit since 
acquisition 
$million

Beneficial 
interest 
acquired  consideration 
$million 

% 

Outback Energy Hunter Pty Ltd 

29 October 2014 

100% 

8 

 Outback Energy Hunter Pty Ltd owns a 35% entitlement  
of the PEL570 licence.

 Reconciliation to cash (inflow)/outflow from payments  
for acquisition of controlled entities:

Cash paid 
Net cash acquired with subsidiaries 

Total cash paid for current year acquisition 
Deferred consideration paid 

Net consolidated cash outflow 

There were no acquisitions of controlled entities during 2013.

(b)  Disposal of controlled entity

There were no disposals of controlled entities during 2014. 

–

8
–

8
–

8

|  119

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

26.  JoInt ARRAnGements

(a)  Joint operations

The following are the material joint operations in which the Group has an interest:

Joint operation 

Cash-generating unit  Principal activities 

Interest 
2014 
% 

Interest 
2013
%

oil and gas assets – Producing assets 
Bayu-Undan 
Casino 
Chim Sáo 
Fairview 
Halyard/Spar 
John Brookes 
Madura Offshore PSC (Maleo) 
Mutineer-Exeter 
Reindeer 
Roma 
SA Fixed Factor Area 
Sampang PSC (Oyong, Wortel) 
Stag  
SWQ Unit 
Fletcher 
Finucane  
PNG LNG 
Spar WA-45-L 

Bayu-Undan 
Casino 
Vietnam (Block 12W) 
GLNG 
Varanus Island 
Varanus Island 
Madura PSC 
Mutineer-Exeter 
Reindeer 
GLNG 
Cooper Basin 
Sampang PSC 
Stag 
Cooper Basin 
Mutineer-Exeter 
Mutineer-Exeter 
PNG LNG 
Varanus Island 

Gas and liquids production 
Gas production 
Oil and gas production 
Gas production 
Gas production 
Gas production 
Gas production 
Oil production 
Gas production 
Gas production 
Oil and gas production 
Oil and gas production 
Oil and gas production 
Gas production 
Oil production 
Oil production 
Gas and liquids production 
Gas production 

11.5 
50.0 
31.9 
22.8 
45.0 
45.0 
67.5 
37.5 
45.0 
30.0 
66.6 
45.0 
66.7 
60.1 
50.0 
37.5 
13.5 
45.0 

oil and gas assets – Assets in development 
GLNG Downstream 
Kipper 

GLNG 
Kipper 

LNG facilities in development 
Gas development 

30.0 
35.0 

exploration and evaluation assets   
EPP43 
EP161, 162 and 189 
Caldita/Barossa 
Tern & Frigate 
Petrel 
PEL1 and 12 
PEL238 and PAL2 
PEL238 and PAL2 (Conventional) 
Northwest Natuna 

Ceduna Basin 
McArthur Basin 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Contingent oil or gas resource  50.0 
50.0 
Contingent gas resource 
25.0 
Contingent gas resource 
40.0 
Gas development 
35.0 
Gas development 
65.0 
Contingent gas resource 
80.0 
Contingent gas resource 
69.2 
Contingent gas resource 
50.0 
Oil resource 
30.0 
Gas development 
75.0 
Contingent gas resource 
24.8 
Contingent gas resource 

  WA-274-P 
  WA-323-P 
  WA-49-R 

120  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

11.5
50.0
31.9
22.8
45.0
45.0
67.5
37.5
45.0
30.0
66.6
45.0
66.7
60.1
50.0
37.5
13.5
45.0

30.0
35.0

–
–
25.0
40.0
35.0
65.0
80.0
69.2
50.0
30.0
75.0
24.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26.  JoInt ARRAnGements (ContInueD)

(b)  share of investments in joint ventures

The Group recognises its interests in the following joint ventures using the equity method of accounting:

Joint venture 

CJSC KNG Hydrocarbons 
Darwin LNG Pty Ltd 
Easternwell Drilling Services Holdings Pty Ltd 
GLNG Operations Pty Ltd 
GLNG Property Pty Ltd 
Lohengrin Pty Ltd 

Interest 
2014 
% 

– 
11.5 
50.0 
30.0 
30.0 
50.0 

Interest 
2013 
%

54.0
11.5
50.0
30.0
30.0
50.0

 The Group’s only material joint venture is Darwin LNG Pty Ltd, which is accounted for using the equity method in the consolidated 
financial report. Darwin LNG Pty Ltd operates the Darwin LNG liquefaction facility which currently processes gas from the Bayu 
Undan gas fields. 

 Summarised financial information of the joint venture, based on the amounts presented in its financial statements, and a 
reconciliation to the carrying amount of the investment in the consolidated financial statements, are set out below:

% of 
ownership 
interest 

quoted* 
fair value

name of 
entity 

Place of 
business or 
incorporation 

2014 
% 

2013 
% 

nature of  measurement 
method 

relationship 

2014 

2013 

Darwin LNG Pty Ltd  Australia 

11.5 

11.5 

Joint venture  Equity method 

– 

–

* Private entity – no quoted price is available.

|  121

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

26.  JoInt ARRAnGements (ContInueD)

(b)  share of investments in joint ventures (continued)

summarised balance sheet 
Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Other current assets 

total current assets 

non-current assets 

Current liabilities  
Financial liabilities (excluding trade payables) 
Other current liabilities 

total current liabilities 

non-current liabilities 
Other non-current liabilities 

total non-current liabilities 

net assets 

Reconciliation to carrying amount 
opening net assets 1 January  
Profit for the period 
Exchange gain on translation of foreign operations 
Reduction in capital 
Dividends paid 

Closing net assets 

Group’s share (%) 
Group’s share of closing net assets ($million) 

Carrying amount of investments in joint ventures ($million) 

summarised statement of comprehensive income 

Revenue  
Depreciation and amortisation 
Income tax expense 

Profit for the period 
Other comprehensive income 

total comprehensive income  

Dividends received from joint venture 

122  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

Darwin LnG Pty Ltd

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

65 
286 

351 

880 

150 
182 

332 

52 

52 

847 

844 
141 
67 
(65) 
(140) 

847 

11.5 
97 

97 

3,317 
(133) 
(67) 

141 
67 

208 

16 

128
216

344

883

147
182

329

54

54

844

769
115
124
(63)
(101)

844

11.5
97

97

3,029
(101)
(44)

115
124

239

12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26.  JoInt ARRAnGements (ContInueD)

(b)  share of investments in joint ventures (continued)

Individually immaterial joint ventures 

 In addition to its interest in the joint venture disclosed above,  
the Group also has interests in a number of individually immaterial  
joint ventures that are accounted for using the equity method. 

Aggregate carrying amount of individually immaterial joint ventures* 
Aggregate amounts of the Group’s share of: 

Profit for the period 
Other comprehensive income 

total comprehensive income  

The Group’s share of capital expenditure commitments and minimum  
exploration commitments in respect of all joint ventures is: 

Capital expenditure commitments 
Minimum exploration commitments 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

– 

1 
– 

1 

13

1
–

1

1,302 
608 

1,535
247

* 

 At 31 December 2014 the Group reassessed the carrying amount of its investments in joint ventures for indicators of impairment. As a result, the recoverable amount of the investment  
in Easternwell Drilling was reassessed, resulting in an impairment loss of $14 million (2013: $nil).

|  123

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

27.  notes to tHe stAtement oF CAsH FLoWs 

(a)  Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities 

(Loss)/profit after income tax 
Add/(deduct) non-cash items: 
Depreciation and depletion 
Exploration and evaluation expensed 
Net impairment loss on exploration and evaluation assets 
Net impairment loss on oil and gas assets 
Net impairment loss on receivables 
Net impairment loss on investments in joint ventures 
Net impairment loss on other land, buildings, plant and equipment  
Net gains on fair value hedges 
Share-based payment expense 
Unwind of the effect of discounting on provisions 
Change in fair value of financial assets designated as at fair value  

through profit or loss 
Defined benefit plan expense 
Foreign exchange losses/(gains) 
Net gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets 
Net (gain)/loss on sale of oil and gas assets 
Net loss on sale of other land, buildings, plant and equipment  
Share of net profit of joint ventures 
Amortisation of prepaid loan transaction costs 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

(935) 

988 
95 
1,170 
1,163 
9 
14 
– 
(63) 
24 
62 

4 
2 
5 
– 
(5) 
1 
(17) 
11 

516

888
90
6
9
–
–
11
(9)
18
62

2
1
(24)
(9)
(7)
2
(14)
7

Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in assets or liabilities 
Add/(deduct) change in operating assets or liabilities, net of acquisitions or  
disposals of businesses: 

2,528 

1,549

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 
Increase in inventories 
Increase in other assets 
(Decrease)/increase in net deferred tax liabilities 
Decrease in current tax liabilities 
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables 
(Decrease)/increase in provisions 

net cash provided by operating activities 

(b)  non-cash financing and investing activities 

Santos Dividend Reinvestment Plan 

(c)  total taxation paid 

Income taxes paid 
Cash outflow from operating activities 
Cash outflow from investing activities 
Royalty-related taxation paid 
Cash outflow from operating activities 

(d)  total borrowing costs paid 

Cash outflow from operating activities 
Cash outflow from investing activities 

124  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

155 
(12) 
(42) 
(669) 
(52) 
(50) 
(15) 

1,843 

(94)
(100)
(80)
251
(75)
151
26

1,628

145 

132

(115) 
– 

(49) 

(164) 

(49) 
(223) 

(272) 

(188)
(8)

(36)

(232)

–
(218)

(218)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28.  emPLoyee BeneFIts

(a)  Defined benefit plan

 Defined benefit members of the Santos Superannuation Plan receive a lump sum benefit on retirement, death, disablement and 
withdrawal. The defined benefit section of the plan is closed to new members. All new members receive accumulation-only benefits.

 The Superannuation Industry (Supervision) legislation governs the superannuation industry and provides the framework within which 
superannuation plans operate. The Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations require an actuarial valuation to be performed 
for each defined benefit superannuation plan every three years, or every year if the plan pays defined benefit pensions. 

 The Santos Superannuation Plan’s Trustee is responsible for the governance of the Plan. The Trustee has a legal obligation to act 
solely in the best interests of Plan beneficiaries. Funding levels are reviewed regularly. Where assets are less than vested benefits, 
being those payable upon exit, a management plan must be formed to restore the coverage to at least 100%. Responsibility for 
governance of the Santos Superannuation Plan, including investment decisions and plan rules, rests solely with the Trustee.  
The defined contribution section receives fixed contributions from the Group.

 The Santos Superannuation Plan is exposed to Australia’s inflation and interest rate risks and changes in the life expectancy of 
members.

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

Amount recognised in the statement of financial position 
Deficit in plan recognised in non-current provisions (refer note 18) 
Non-current receivables  

 movements in the liability for net defined benefit obligations  
recognised in the statement of financial position 
Liability at 1 January 
Expense recognised in income statement 
Amount capitalised in oil and gas assets 
Amount recognised in retained earnings 
Employer contributions 

Liability at 31 December 

expense recognised in the income statement 
Service cost 
Net interest income 

the expense is recognised in the following line item  
in the income statement: 
Cost of sales 

Amounts recognised in other comprehensive income 
Remeasurement of defined benefit obligation 
Tax effect 

Net remeasurement of defined benefit obligation in the year 

Cumulative net remeasurement of defined benefit obligation  

recognised in other comprehensive income, net of tax 

2 
– 

2 

2 
2 
2 
– 
(4) 

2 

2 
– 

2 

2 

– 
– 

– 

(8) 

3
(1)

2

24
1
2
(20)
(5)

2

2
(1)

1

1

20
(6)

14

(8)

|  125

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

28.  emPLoyee BeneFIts (ContInueD) 

(a)  Defined benefit plan (continued) 

Reconciliation of the fair value of plan assets 
Opening fair value of plan assets 
Expected return on plan assets, excluding interest income 
Interest income 
Employer contributions 
Contributions by plan participants 
Benefits paid 
Taxes and premiums paid 
Transfers in 

Closing fair value of plan assets 

Reconciliation of the present value of the defined benefit obligations 
Opening defined benefit obligations 
Service cost 
Interest cost 
Contribution by plan participants 
Actuarial loss/(gain) arising from changes in financial assumptions 
Benefits paid 
Transfers in 
Taxes and premiums paid 

Closing defined benefit obligations 

Fair value of plan assets

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

155 
8 
6 
7 
4 
(15) 
(2) 
– 

163 

158 
6 
6 
4 
8 
(15) 
– 
(2) 

165 

150
16
4
8
3
(25)
(2)
1

155

190
6
3
3
(18)
(25)
1
(2)

158

All plan assets are held within investment funds which do not have a quoted market price in an active market.

The fair value of plan assets includes no amounts relating to:

 • any of the Group’s own financial instruments; or

 • any property occupied by, or other assets used by, the Group.

Actuarial assumptions

The principal actuarial assumptions at reporting date (expressed as weighted averages) are as follows:

Defined benefit superannuation expense 
Discount rate 
Expected average salary increase rate over the life of the plan 

Defined benefit obligation 
Discount rate 
Expected average salary increase rate over the life of the plan 

2014 
% p.a. 

2013 
% p.a.

4.2 
4.0 

2.9 
4.0 

2.9
5.0

4.2
4.0

126  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28.  emPLoyee BeneFIts (ContInueD)

(a)  Defined benefit plan (continued)

The sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to changes in the assumptions set out above is:

Impact on defined benefit obligation
0.5% decrease 
$million

0.5% increase 
$million 

Discount rate 
Expected average salary increase rate over the life of the plan 

(4) 
3 

4
(3)

 The above sensitivities are based on the last full actuarial valuation at 31 December 2014 and are applied to adjust the defined  
benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period for the assumptions concerned. 

expected contributions

The Group expects to contribute $1 million to the defined benefit superannuation plan in 2015 (2014: $5 million).

Expected defined benefit payment for the year ending: 

within one year  
between two and five years  
after five years  

Total expected defined benefit payments 

2015  
$million 

2014 
 $million

17 
82 
76 

175 

21
84
77

182

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is 6.3 years (2013: 5.8 years).

(b)  Defined contribution plans

 The Group makes contributions to several defined contribution plans. The amount recognised as an expense for the year was  
$12 million (2013: $13 million).

|  127

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns

(a)  Current general employee share plans

The Company operated two general employee share plans in 2014:

 • Share1000, governed by the Santos Employee Share Acquisition Plan rules (“Share1000 Plan”); and

 • ShareMatch, governed by the ShareMatch Plan rules (“ShareMatch Plan”).

 Broadly, the Share1000 Plan and the ShareMatch Plan provide for Australian-resident permanent eligible employees to be entitled 
to acquire shares under the plans. Eligible employees have the option to participate in either the Share1000 Plan or the ShareMatch 
Plan. Members of the Santos Leadership Team, Directors of the Company, casual employees, employees on fixed-term contracts  
and employees on international assignment are excluded from participating in the Share1000 Plan and the ShareMatch Plan.

Share1000 Plan

 The Share1000 Plan was introduced in 2010 with the first issue of shares pursuant to the plan being made in 2011. The Share1000 
Plan provides for grants of fully paid ordinary shares up to a value determined by the Board, being $1,000 per annum per eligible 
employee. A trustee funded by the Group acquires the shares directly from the Company. The trustee holds the shares on behalf of 
the participants in the plan until the shares are no longer subject to restrictions. 

 The employee’s ownership of shares allocated under the Share1000 Plan, and his or her right to deal with them, are subject to 
restrictions until the earlier of the expiration of the three-year restriction period and the time when he or she ceases to be an 
employee. During the restriction period, participants are entitled to receive dividends, participate in bonus and rights issues and 
instruct the trustee as to the exercise of voting rights.

The following shares were issued pursuant to the Share1000 Plan during the period:

Date 

2014 
21 Jan 2014 
1 Jul 2014 

2013 
3 Jan 2013 
1 Jul 2013 

Issued 
shares 

Fair value 
per share 
number 

5,037 
106,470 

111,507 

13,528 
124,880 

138,408 

$

14.3508
14.1598

11.1618
12.3542

 The fair value per share is determined by the Volume Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”) of ordinary Santos shares on the Australian 
Securities Exchange (“ASX”) during the week up to and including the date of issue of the shares.

The amounts recognised in the financial statements of the Group in relation to the Share1000 Plan during the year were:

Employee expenses 
Issued ordinary share capital 

2014 
$000 

1,580 
1,580 

2013 
$000

1,694
1,694

128  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(a)  Current general employee share plans (continued) 

ShareMatch Plan

 The ShareMatch Plan was also introduced in 2010 as an alternative to the Share1000 Plan with the first issue of shares pursuant  
to the plan being made in 2011. The ShareMatch Plan provides an opportunity for eligible employees to purchase shares through 
salary sacrifice, up to a maximum value of $5,000, and to receive a matched Share Acquisition Right (“SAR”) at a ratio set by the 
Board and with vesting subject to conditions of service. The salary sacrifice deductions are made over a maximum 12-month period.

 The employee’s ownership of shares allocated under the ShareMatch Plan, and his or her right to deal with them, are subject to 
restrictions until the earlier of the expiration of the restriction period (which will be approximately three, five or seven years from  
the date of the offer, depending on any election made by the employee) and the time when he or she ceases to be an employee. 
During the restriction period, participants are entitled to receive dividends, participate in bonus and rights issues and exercise voting 
rights. In 2014, the restriction period of two-and-a-half and three years that applied to the SARs issued under the ShareMatch Plan 
in 2011 and 2012 expired and the SARs were converted into issued shares.

The following shares were issued pursuant to the ShareMatch Plan during the period:

Date 

2014 
21 Jan 2014 
1 Jul 2014 

2013 
3 Jan 2013 
1 Jul 2013 

Issued 
shares 
number 

35,412 
500,971 

536,383 

56,319 
444,720 

501,039 

Fair value 
per share 
$

14.3508
14.1598

11.1618
12.3542

  The following shares were issued in one tranche and subsequently forfeited and reallocated in a new tranche:

original tranche 

2014 
1 Jul 2013 
1 Jul 2013 
21 Jan 2014 

2013 
4 Jan 2012 
2 Jul 2012 
2 Jul 2012 
2 Jul 2012 
3 Jan 2013 

 Reallocated tranche 

number 
of shares

21 Jan 2014 
1 Jul 2014 
1 Jul 2014 

1 Jul 2013 
3 Jan 2013 
3 Jan 2013 
1 Jul 2013 
1 Jul 2013 

491
501
70

1,062

402
2,930
163
639
376

4,510

 The fair value per share is determined by the VWAP of ordinary Santos shares on the ASX during the week up to and including the date  
of issue of the shares.

|  129

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(a)  Current general employee share plans (continued) 

 During the year the Company issued $8 million (2013: $6 million) of share capital under the ShareMatch Plan. Cash of $7 million 
(2013: $6 million) was received from employees under loan arrangements. The movement in loans receivable from employees  
during the year was:

Employee loans at 1 January  
Ordinary share capital issued during the year 
Cash received during the year 

employee loans at 31 December 

2014 
$000 

2,807 
7,617 
(6,813) 

3,611 

2013 
$000

2,439
6,175
(5,807)

2,807

 During the financial year, the Company granted 537,445 (2013: 505,549) matched SARs to eligible employees as set out below. 
Shares allocated to an employee upon the vesting of matched SARs will be subject to restrictions on dealing until the same 
restriction date as that which applies to the shares allocated under the ShareMatch Plan (effectively a maximum four-year  
restriction period from the date the shares are allocated following vesting of the matched SARs). No amount is payable on grant  
or vesting of the matched SARs.

Grant 

2014 
R18   
R19   
R04 – R06 
R07 – R09 
R10 – R12 
R13 – R15 
R16 – R17 

total 

2013 
R13 – R15 
R16 – R17 
R01 – R03 
R04 – R06 
R07 – R09 
R10 – R12 

total 

year 
of 
grant 

2014 
2014 
2011 
2012 
2012 
2013 
2013 

2013 
2013 
2011 
2011 
2012 
2012 

end of 
vesting 
period 

Beginning 
of the 
year 
number 

21 Jul 2016 
1 Jul 2016 
4 Jul 2014 
4 Jul 2014 
2 Jul 2015 
3 Jul 2015 
1 Jul 2016 

– 
– 
284,717 
35,615 
413,395 
54,362 
438,744 

Granted 
during 
the year 
number 

35,903 
501,542 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Lapsed 
number 

vested 
number 

(2,227) 
(10,165) 
(3,262) 
(1,045) 
(16,424) 
(2,458) 
(14,330) 

(626) 
(7,343) 
(281,455) 
(34,570) 
(11,136) 
(4,917) 
(12,590) 

end of 
the year 
number

33,050
484,034
–
–
385,835
46,987
411,824

1,226,833 

537,445 

(49,911) 

(352,637) 

1,361,730

3 Jul 2015 
1 Jul 2016 
4 Jul 2013 
4 Jul 2014 
4 Jul 2014 
2 Jul 2015 

– 
– 
276,217 
305,808 
39,828 
446,033 

59,412 
446,137 
– 
– 
– 
– 

(3,128) 
(5,373) 
(4,517) 
(13,141) 
(3,007) 
(20,696) 

(1,922) 
(2,020) 
(271,700) 
(7,950) 
(1,206) 
(11,942) 

54,362
438,744
–
284,717
35,615
413,395

1,067,886 

505,549 

(49,862) 

(296,740) 

1,226,833

130  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(a)  Current general employee share plans (continued) 

 The fair value of services received in return for matched SARs granted is measured by reference to the fair value of matched SARs 
granted. The estimate of the fair value of the services received is measured by discounting the share price on the grant date using 
the assumed dividend yield for the term of the matched SAR.

  matched sARs grant 

Fair value at grant date ($) 
Share price on grant date ($) 
Exercise price ($) 
Right life (weighted average, years) 
Expected dividends (% p.a.) 

Matched SARs grant 

Fair value at grant date ($) 
Share price on grant date ($) 
Exercise price ($) 
Right life (weighted average, years) 
Expected dividends (% p.a.) 

R18 

13.69 
14.41 
nil 
2.5 
2.1 

2014

R19

13.13
14.32
nil
3.0
2.9

2013

R13 – R15 

R16 – R17

10.66 
11.37 
nil 
2.5 
2.6 

11.44
12.30
nil
3.0
2.4

 The amounts recognised in the financial statements of the Group during the financial year in relation to matched SARs issued under 
the ShareMatch Plan were:

Employee expenses 
Retained earnings 

2014 
$000 

5,090 
5,090 

2013 
$000

4,576
4,576

|  131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(b)  executive Long-term Incentive Program

 The Company’s Executive Long-term Incentive (“LTI”) Program provides for invitations to be extended to eligible executives  
selected by the Board. The Program is governed by the Santos Employee Equity Incentive Plan (formerly known as the Employee 
Share Purchase Plan) rules in respect of offers of SARs and the Santos Executive Share Option Plan rules in respect of offers of 
options.

 The Santos Executive Share Option Plan rules have been in force since 1997, however no new issues of options have been made 
under the plan since 2009. The Santos Employee Share Purchase Plan rules have been used as a basis of executive compensation 
since 2003 and were amended and renamed the Santos Employee Equity Incentive Plan in 2012. Each SAR and option is a 
conditional entitlement to a fully paid ordinary share, subject to the satisfaction of performance or service conditions, on terms  
and conditions determined by the Board. The Board has the discretion to cash-settle SARs granted under the amended Santos 
Employee Equity Incentive Plan.

 SARs and options carry no voting or dividend rights until the performance or service conditions are satisfied and, in the case of 
options, when the options are exercised or, in the case of SARs, when the SARs vest and are converted into shares.

 If an employee resigns or ceases employment by summary dismissal, unvested SARs and options will in general lapse and be  
forfeited. However, if cessation occurs in certain circumstances including death, disability or redundancy, a proportion of the 
unvested SARs or options may remain on foot (i.e. remain in the plan and not lapse) or vest (and in the case of options become 
exercisable). The Board has an overriding discretion in all these circumstances. Where there is a change in control, the Board may 
determine whether, and the extent to which, SARs and options may vest. 

 The 2014 LTI Program offers consisted only of SARs. Eligible executives were granted both Performance Awards and Deferred 
Awards in 2011 but Deferred Awards were then discontinued as part of the regular LTI Program. Performance Awards only were 
granted to eligible executives in 2014 who were granted two grants of SARs, a three-year grant (1 January 2014 – 31 December 
2016) and a four-year grant (1 January 2014 – 31 December 2017).

 In each of the three-year and four-year grants, 75% of the SARs are subject to Santos’ Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) relative  
to the performance of the ASX 100 companies (“ASX 100 comparator group”) over the performance period.

  In each of the three-year and four-year grants, 25% of the SARs are subject to Santos’ TSR relative to the performance  
of the Standard & Poor’s Global 1200 Energy Index companies (“S&P GEI comparator group”) over the performance period.

Vesting of Performance Awards

 All Performance Awards are subject to hurdles based on the Company’s TSR relative to the ASX 100 over a three-year performance 
period to the end of the vesting period. There is no retesting of performance conditions. Each tranche of the Performance Awards 
vests in accordance with the following vesting schedule, relative to the TSR condition:

Grants J1 – J6, K1, K2, K5 
tsR percentile ranking  % of grant vesting 

tsR percentile ranking 

% of grant vesting

Grants L1, L5

< 50th percentile 
= 50th percentile  
51st to 75th percentile  

>= 75th percentile 

– 
50 
Further 2.0%  
for each percentile 
100 

< 51st percentile 
= 51st percentile  
52nd to 75th percentile  

>= 75th percentile 

–
51
Further 2.0% for each  percentile  
over 52nd
100 over 76th 

132  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(b)  executive Long-term Incentive Program (continued)

Vesting of Performance Awards

 Performance Awards are subject to hurdles based on the Company’s TSR relative to the ASX over a four-year performance period 
to the end of the vesting period. There is no retesting of performance conditions. Each tranche of the Performance Awards vests in 
accordance with the following vesting schedule, relative to the TSR condition:

tsR percentile ranking 

< 51st percentile 
= 51st percentile  
52nd to 75th percentile  
>= 75th percentile 

Vesting of Performance Awards

Grants L3, L7
% of grant vesting

–
51
Further 2.0% for each percentile over 52nd
100 over 76th

 Performance Awards are subject to hurdles based on the Company’s TSR relative to the S&P GEI Comparator Group over a three-
year performance period to the end of the vesting period. There is no retesting of performance conditions. Each tranche of the 
Performance Awards vests in accordance with the following vesting schedule, relative to the TSR condition:

tsR percentile ranking 

< 51st percentile 
= 51st percentile  
52nd to 75th percentile  
>= 75th percentile 

Vesting of Performance Awards

Grants L2, L6 
% of grant vesting

–
51
Further 2.0% for each percentile over 52nd
100 over 76th

 Performance Awards are subject to hurdles based on the Company’s TSR relative to the S&P GEI Comparator Group over  
a four-year performance period to the end of the vesting period. There is no retesting of performance conditions. Each tranche of 
the Performance Awards vests in accordance with the following vesting schedule, relative to the TSR condition:

tsR percentile ranking 

< 51st percentile 
= 51st percentile  
52nd to 75th percentile  
>= 75th percentile 

Vesting of Deferred Awards

Grants L4, L8 
% of grant vesting

–
51
Further 2.0% for each percentile over 52nd
100 over 76th

Each tranche of the Deferred Awards vests based on continuous service to the vesting date.

 The last tranche of Deferred Awards under the regular Executive LTI Program was granted in March 2011. Since then no further  
Deferred Awards have been granted as part of the regular Executive LTI Program. From time to time, an ad-hoc LTI grant may be 
made to a specific executive, usually for retention purposes. 

|  133

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(b)  executive Long-term Incentive Program (continued)

Restriction period

 Shares allocated on vesting of SARs granted in 2011 and 2012 may be subject to further restrictions on dealing for five or seven  
years after the original grant date, depending on whether the executive elected to extend the trading restrictions period beyond  
the vesting date. Shares allocated on the vesting of SARs that were granted prior to 2012 will be subject to further restrictions on 
dealing for a maximum of 10 years after the original grant date. No amount is payable on grant or vesting of the SARs.

Grant 

2014 
Performance 
L1 – L2  
L3 – L4 
L5 – L6 
L7 – L8 
K1 – K2 
K5 
J1 – J3 
J4 – J6 
I1 – I3 
I4 – I6 
Deferred 
K3 
K4 
DI1 – DI3 

total 

2013 
Performance 
K1 – K2 
K5 
J1 – J3 
J4 – J6 
I1 – I3 
I4 – I6 
H4 
H1 
F5 
Deferred 
K3 
K4 
DI1 – DI3 
H2 

total 

year 
of 
grant 

end of 
vesting 
period 

Beginning 
of the 
year 
number 

Granted 
during 
the year 
number 

Lapsed 
number 

vested 
number 

end of 
the year 
number

2014 
2014 
2014 
2014 
2013 
2013 
2012 
2012 
2011 
2011 

2013 
2013 
2011 

2013 
2013 
2012 
2012 
2011 
2011 
2010 
2010 
2008 

2013 
2013 
2011 
2010 

31 Dec 2016 
31 Dec 2017 
31 Dec 2016 
31 Dec 2017 
31 Dec 2015 
31 Dec 2015 
31 Dec 2014 
31 Dec 2014 
31 Dec 2013 
31 Dec 2013 

28 Feb 2014 
31 Aug 2015 
28 Feb 2014 

31 Dec 2015 
31 Dec 2015 
31 Dec 2014 
31 Dec 2014 
31 Dec 2013 
31 Dec 2013 
31 Aug 2013 
31 Dec 2012 
31 Dec 2012 

28 Feb 2014 
31 Aug 2015 
28 Feb 2014 
1 Mar 2013 

– 
– 
– 
– 
1,401,808 
243,652 
1,129,835 
193,935 
424,069 
157,232 

5,573 
15,127 
204,365 

1,612,141 
1,644,649 
277,665 
283,264 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

(28,120) 
(53,465) 
– 
– 
(69,131) 
– 
(20,107) 
– 
(424,069) 
(157,232) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1,584,021
1,591,184
277,665
283,264
1,332,677
243,652
1,109,728
193,935
–
–

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
(1,833) 

(5,573) 
– 
(202,532) 

–
15,127
–

3,775,596 

3,817,719 

(753,957) 

(208,105) 

6,631,253

– 
– 
1,231,938 
193,935 
476,643 
157,232 
40,000 
397,496 
50,403 

– 
– 
224,271 
206,317 

1,438,721 
243,652 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

5,573 
15,127 
– 
– 

(36,913) 
– 
(102,103) 
– 
(52,574) 
– 
(40,000) 
(397,496) 
(50,403) 

– 
– 
(10,720) 
(1,942) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
(9,186) 
(204,375) 

1,401,808
243,652
1,129,835
193,935
424,069
157,232
–
–
–

5,573
15,127
204,365
–

2,978,235 

1,703,073 

(692,151) 

(213,561) 

3,775,596

134  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(b)  executive Long-term Incentive Program (continued)

 The Company has not granted options over unissued shares under the Executive Long-term Incentive Program since 2009. The 
information as set out below relates to options issued under the Executive Long-term Incentive Program in 2009 and earlier:

Grant 

year 
of 
grant 

end of 
vesting 
period 

Beginning 
of the 
year 
number 

Lapsed 
number 

excercised 
number 

  excercisable 
at the 
end of 
the year 
number

end of 
the year 
number 

2014 
vested in prior years 

  Weighted average

exercise price ($) 

2013 
Performance 
F5 
vested in prior years 

total 

  Weighted average

exercise price ($) 

4,142,738 

(51,300) 

(99,400) 

3,992,038 

3,992,038

12.31 

15.39 

10.48 

12.31 

12.31

2008  31 Dec 2012 

131,976 
4,162,997 

(131,976) 
(10,259) 

– 
(10,000) 

– 
4,142,738 

–
4,142,738

4,294,973 

(142,235) 

(10,000) 

4,142,738 

4,142,738

12.46 

17.20 

10.48 

12.31 

12.31

 The options outstanding at 31 December 2014 have an exercise price in the range of $8.46 to $17.36 and a weighted average 
remaining contractual life of 1.9 years (2013: 2.9 years).

 During the year 99,400 (2013: 10,000) options were exercised with an exercise price of $10.48.

 The fair value of shares issued as a result of exercising options is the market price of shares of the Company on the ASX as at close 
of trading on their issue date.

 The amounts recognised in the financial statements of the Group in relation to executive share options exercised during the financial 
year were:

Issued ordinary share capital 

2014 
$000 

1,042 

2013 
$000

105

|  135

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(b)  executive Long-term Incentive Program (continued)

Valuation of SARs – Performance Awards

 The fair value of services received in return for SARs granted is measured by reference to the fair value of SARs granted. The 
estimate of the fair value of the services received for the Performance Awards are measured based on a Monte Carlo simulation 
method. The contractual life of the SARs is used as an input into this model. Expectations of early exercise are incorporated into a 
Monte Carlo simulation method. The expected volatility is based on the historic volatility (calculated based on the weighted average 
remaining life of the share rights), adjusted for any expected changes to future volatility due to publicly available information. 

 The following table includes the valuation assumptions used for Performance Awards SARs granted during the current and  
prior years: 

2014

Performance Awards 

L1 

L2 

L3 

L4 

L5 

L6 

L7 

L8

Fair value at grant date ($) 
Share price on grant date ($) 
Exercise price ($) 
Expected volatility  

6.68 
13.69 
nil 

6.55 
13.69 
nil 

7.40 
13.69 
nil 

7.37 
13.69 
nil 

8.03 
14.55 
nil 

8.28 
14.55 
nil 

8.41 
14.55 
nil 

8.70
14.55
nil

(weighted average, % p.a.) 

26.5 

26.5 

31.0 

31.0 

25.9 

25.9 

30.2 

30.2

3 
2.2 

3 
2.2 

4 
2.2 

4 
2.2 

3 
2.1 

3 
2.1 

4 
2.1 

4
2.1

2.9 

2.9 

3.2 

3.2 

2.7 

2.7 

2.9 

2.9

Right life (weighted  
average, years) 

Expected dividends (% p.a.) 
Risk-free interest rate  

(based on Commonwealth  
Government bond yields,  
% p.a.) 

Performance Awards 

Fair value at grant date ($) 
Share price on grant date ($) 
Exercise price ($) 
Expected volatility (weighted average, % p.a.) 
Right life (weighted average, years) 
Expected dividends (% p.a.) 
Risk-free interest rate (based on Commonwealth Government bond yields, % p.a.) 

Financial statement effect

 The amounts recognised in the financial statements of the Group during the financial year in relation to equity-settled share-based 
payment grants issued under the LTI Program were:

Employee expenses: 

SARs 
Options 

Total employee expenses 
Retained earnings 

136  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

2014 
$000 

2013 
$000

16,557 
– 

16,557 
16,557 

11,575
(25)

11,550
11,550

2013

K1 – K2 

K5

8.14 
12.29 
nil 
28.4 
3.0 
2.4 
2.8 

9.14
12.93
nil
28.4
3.0
2.3
2.5

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(b)  executive Long-term Incentive Program (continued)

Cash-settled share-based payments (continued)

 As a result of the 2009 Entitlement Offer, issued at a 26.9% discount to the closing price of the shares before the announcement of 
the Entitlement Offer, the Board determined that for every unvested SAR and option as at the time of the Entitlement Offer, eligible 
senior executives would be entitled to a payment of $1.31 per SAR and option if and when those applicable SARs and options are 
converted to shares.

 The amounts recognised in the financial statements of the Group during the financial year in relation to cash-settled share-based 
payment grants issued under the LTI Program were:

Balance of liability at 1 January 
Employee expenses 
Revaluation 
Cash payments 

Balance of liability at 31 December 

Intrinsic value of vested liability 

2014 
$000 

1,590 
– 
(68) 
– 

1,522 

1,522 

2013 
$000

1,693
–
(92)
(11)

1,590

1,590

(c)  santos eastern star Gas Limited employee Incentive Plan

 Santos acquired Eastern Star Gas Limited (“ESG”), (now Santos NSW Pty Ltd), in 2011. Under the ESG employee incentive plan, 
eligible ESG employees were granted shares in ESG with interest-free loans extended for terms of up to five years. The shares  
issued ranked equally with other issued ordinary shares and were not quoted on the ASX as they were subject to trading restrictions 
while there were loans outstanding (“ESG Plan Shares”).

 As part of the acquisition of ESG, Santos issued Santos ESG Plan Shares in respect of the ESG Plan Shares for the same 
consideration as ordinary ESG shares (i.e. 0.06881 Santos shares for each unquoted ESG Plan Share). These Santos ESG Plan  
Shares are subject to the same terms and conditions as the ESG Plan Shares including trading restrictions until repayment of 
the loan balance and are not quoted on the ASX while there are loans outstanding. Should the employees not repay the interest-
free loans during the term period, they forfeit the shares, which will then be sold on-market. The loans therefore have not been 
recognised as receivables. Employees are entitled to dividends on these shares while the interest-free loans are outstanding.

Financial statement effect

 On 17 November 2011, 2,002,362 shares were granted to eligible ESG employees at a weighted average exercise price of $7.82.  
No further shares have been issued under this plan.

 In the period from 17 November 2011 to 31 December 2011, employee loans in respect of 1,061,634 shares were repaid at a weighted 
average exercise price of $7.40, resulting in trading restrictions being lifted on those shares and an increase in the Company’s share 
capital. During 2014 no employee loans were repaid (2013: $1 million). At 31 December 2014, loans were still outstanding in respect 
of 84,290 (2013: 84,290) shares at a weighted average exercise price of $13.57 (2013: $13.57). The weighted average remaining 
contractual life for the outstanding employee loans in respect of these shares is 0.19 years (2013: 1.1 years). The range of exercise 
prices for shares outstanding at the end of the year was $11.48 to $15.26 (2013: $11.48 to $15.26).

Valuation of Santos ESG Plan Shares

 The fair value of services received in return for shares and interest-free loans granted is measured by reference to the fair value of 
shares granted. The estimate of the fair value of the services received for these shares and interest-free loans are measured based 
on a Monte Carlo simulation method. The contractual life of the interest-free loan is used as an input into this model. Expectations 
of early exercise are incorporated into a Monte Carlo simulation method. The expected volatility is based on the historic volatility 
(calculated based on the weighted average remaining life of the share rights), adjusted for any expected changes to future volatility 
based on publicly available information. 

|  137

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(c)  santos eastern star Gas Limited employee Incentive Plan (continued)

Valuation of Santos ESG Plan Shares (continued)

 The following table includes the valuation assumptions used for shares and interest-free loans granted as part of the  
ESG acquisition:

santos esG Plan shares 

Grant date 
Share price on grant date ($) 
Expected volatility (weighted average, % p.a.) 
Expected dividends (% p.a.) 
Risk-free interest rate (based on Commonwealth Government bond yields, % p.a.) 

2011

28 Oct 2011
13.20
41.0
2.7
3.9 – 4.3 

(d)  2012–2015 Four-year Ceo strategy Grant

 In 2012 the Company granted 205,339 SARs to the CEO under the Santos Employee Equity Incentive Plan (“SEEIP”), referred to  
as the 2012–2015 Four-year CEO Strategy Grant. The issue of SARs under this arrangement was approved by shareholders at the 
2012 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”).

 As described more fully in the Notice of Meeting to the 2012 AGM, the award is split into five equal tranches with separate 
performance targets that relate to:

 • GLNG Start up – loading of first LNG cargo on or before 30 June 2015;

 • GLNG Cost – project cost within or under budget;

 • Production Growth – targeting 77 mmboe or more by 31 December 2015;

 • Reserves Growth – targeting 2P reserve/production cover of 18 years or more at 31 December 2015; and

 • Operations Integrity – maintaining an annual score of 90% or more against various environmental health and safety metrics  

while ensuring no High Impact or Critical Environment incidents occur over the 2012–2015 period.

 The SARs have been granted at no cost, and no amount is payable on vesting of the SARs if the performance conditions are met. 
Each SAR entitles the CEO to one fully paid ordinary share which will rank equally with shares in the same class or, at the discretion 
of the Board, cash to the same value. Performance testing will occur in 2016.

 The SARs carry no voting or dividend rights unless and until they vest and are converted into shares.

Valuation of SARs

 The estimate of the fair value of the services received for the award is measured by discounting the share price on the grant date 
using the assumed dividend yield for the term of the SARs. 

 The following table includes the valuation assumptions used for the 2012–2015 Four-year CEO Strategy Grant granted during 2012:

2012–2015 Four-year Ceo strategy Grant 

Fair value at grant date ($) 
Share price on grant date ($) 
Exercise price ($) 
Right life (weighted average, years) 
Expected dividends (% p.a.) 

 The amounts recognised in the financial statements of the Group during the financial year in relation to the 2012–2015  
Four-year CEO Strategy Grant were:

Employee expenses 
Retained earnings 

138  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

2014 
$000 

370 
370 

2012

10.57
11.57
nil
3.5
2.59

2013 
$000

364
364

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(e)  2013–2015 three-year executive strategy Grant

In 2013 the Company granted 20,829 SARs under the SEEIP, referred to as the 2013–2015 Three-year Executive Strategy Grant.

 The award is split into three equal tranches with separate performance targets that relate to GLNG Start up, GLNG Cost and 
Operations Integrity, similar to the corresponding targets in the 2012–2015 Four-year CEO Strategy Grant in note 29(d). 

 The SARs have been granted at no cost, and no amount is payable on vesting of the SARs if the performance conditions are met. 
Each SAR entitles the recipient to one fully paid ordinary share which will rank equally with shares in the same class or, at the 
discretion of the Board, cash to the same value. Performance testing will occur in 2015.

 The SARs carry no voting or dividend rights unless and until they vest and are converted into shares.

Valuation of SARs

 The following table includes the valuation assumptions used for the 2013–2015 Three-year Executive Strategy Grant granted during 
the current year:

2013–2015 three-year executive strategy Grant 

Fair value at grant date ($) 
Share price on grant date ($) 
Exercise price ($) 
Right life (weighted average, years) 
Expected dividends (% p.a.) 

 The amounts recognised in the financial statements of the Group during the financial year in relation to the 2013–2015  
Three-year Executive Strategy Grant were:

Employee expenses 
Retained earnings 

(f)  Legacy plan – executives

Santos Executive Share Plan

2014 
$000 

68 
68 

2013

11.81
12.59
nil
2.7
2.38

2013 
$000

49
49

 The Santos Executive Share Plan (“SESP”) operated between 1987 and 1997, when it was discontinued. Under the terms of the 
SESP, shares were issued as partly paid to one cent. While partly paid, the plan shares are not transferable, carry no voting right  
and no entitlement to dividend, but are entitled to participate in any bonus or rights issue. After a “vesting” period, calls could be 
made for the balance of the issue price of the shares, which varied between $2.00 and the market price of the shares on the  
date of the call being made. Shares were issued principally on: 22 December 1987; 7 February and 5 December 1989; and  
24 December 1990. 

 At the beginning of the financial year there were 54,500 SESP shares on issue. During the financial year, 11,500 (2013: nil)  
SESP shares were fully paid and $32,885 (2013: $nil) was received by the Company. As at 31 December 2014 there were  
43,000 (2013: 54,500) plan shares outstanding.

Santos Executive Share Purchase Plan 

 The Santos Executive Share Purchase Plan (“SESEP”) operated in 2003 and 2004, governed by the executive long-term  
component of the Santos Employee Share Purchase Plan rules. No shares have been issued under the SESEP since 2004.  
At 31 December 2014, the total number of shares acquired under SESEP since its commencement was 220,912 (2013: 220,912).

The shares allocated pursuant to the SESEP were allotted to a trustee at no cost to participants, to be held on their behalf. 

 In general, the shares were restricted for a period of one year from the date of allotment. If a participating executive ceased 
employment during this period, the Board, in its discretion, could determine that a lesser restriction on transfer and dealing applied, 
having regard to the circumstances of the cessation. At the beginning of the financial year there were 3,890 SESEP shares on  
issue. During the financial year, the restrictions were removed due to the maximum of 10 years after the original grant date, expired.  
At 31 December 2014, nil shares (2013: 3,890) remain on trust applicable to the 2004 grant. 

|  139

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

29.  sHARe-BAseD PAyment PLAns (ContInueD)

(g)  non-executive Director share Plan

 In accordance with shareholder approval given at the 2007 Annual General Meeting, the Non-executive Director (“NED”) Share  
Plan was introduced in July 2007. In 2010 and earlier years, Directors who participated in the NED Share Plan elected to sacrifice  
all or part of their fees in return for an allocation of fully paid ordinary shares of equivalent value. The NED Share Plan therefore did 
not involve any additional remuneration for participating Directors.

 Shares were allocated quarterly and were either issued as new shares or purchased on the ASX at the prevailing market price. 
The shares are registered in the name of the participating Director, but are subject to a restriction on dealing. In the absence of 
exceptional circumstances, the restriction will apply until the Director ceases to hold office or until 10 years have elapsed since  
the allocation of the shares, whichever is earlier.

 The NED Share Plan was suspended in 2011 and closed in 2012. Accordingly, no non-executive Directors participated in the NED 
Share Plan in 2014, 2013, 2012 or 2011 and no shares were allocated under the plan in those years. A total of 72,137 shares were 
allocated to non-executive Directors during the life of the NED Share Plan, of which as at 31 December 2014, 43,919 (2013: 46,279) 
are still subject to restrictions, for periods up to 2020.

(h)  Amounts recognised in the financial statements

 The amounts recognised in the financial statements of the Group during the financial year in relation to shares issued under  
employee share plans are as follows:

Statement of financial position: 

Current general employee share plans – ShareMatch Plan 
Executive long-term incentive program:  

Share options  
Cash-settled 

Issued capital: 

Current general employee share plans:  

Share1000 Plan 
ShareMatch Plan 

Executive long-term incentive program – share options 

Retained earnings: 

Current general employee share plans – matched SARs 
Executive long-term incentive program – equity settled 
2012–2015 Four-year CEO Strategy Grant 
2013–2015 Three-year Executive Strategy Grant 

Employee expenses:  

Current general employee share plans: 

Share1000 Plan 
Matched SARs 

Executive long-term incentive program:  

Equity-settled 
Cash-settled 

2012–2015 Four-year CEO Strategy Grant 
2013–2015 Three-year Executive Strategy Grant 

140  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

Note 

29(a) 

29(b) 
29(b) 

29(a) 
29(a) 
29(b) 

29(a) 
29(b) 
29(d) 
29(e) 

29(a) 
29(a) 

29(b) 
29(b) 
29(d) 
29(e) 

2014 
$000 

7,617 

1,042 
68 

8,727 

1,580 
7,617 
1,042 

10,239 

5,090 
16,557 
370 
68 

22,085 

(1,580) 
(5,090) 

(16,557) 
68 
(370) 
(68) 

(23,597) 

8,727 

2013 
$000

6,175

105
92

6,372

1,694
6,175
105

7,974

4,576
11,550
364
49

16,539

(1,694)
(4,576)

(11,550)
92
(364)
(49)

(18,141)

6,372

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30.  Key mAnAGement PeRsonneL DIsCLosuRes

(a)  Key management personnel compensation

Short-term employee benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Other long-term benefits 
Share-based payments 

2014 
$000 

9,462 
195 
196 
5,320 

15,173 

2013 
$000

11,257
222
236
4,549

16,264

(b)  Loans to key management personnel

 There have been no loans made, guaranteed or secured, directly or indirectly, by the Group or any of its subsidiaries at any time 
throughout the year to any key management person, including their related parties. 

31.  ReLAteD PARtIes

Identity of related parties

 Santos Limited and its controlled entities engage in a variety of related party transactions in the ordinary course of business.  
These transactions are conducted on normal terms and conditions.

 Details of related party transactions and matters are set out in:

 • note 10 as to amounts owing from other related entities;

 • notes 17 and 35 as to Santos Limited’s parent company financial guarantees provided for its controlled entities;

 • note 24 as to its controlled entities; 

 • note 26 as to interests in joint arrangements; and

 • note 30 as to disclosures relating to key management personnel.

32.  RemuneRAtIon oF AuDItoRs 

The auditor of Santos Limited is Ernst & Young. 

(a)  Audit and review services 

Amounts received or due and receivable for an audit or review of the  
financial report of the entity and any other entity in the Group by:   

Ernst & Young (Australia) 
Overseas network firms of Ernst & Young (Australia) 

(b)  other services 

Amounts received or due and receivable for other services in relation to  
the entity and any other entity in the Group by:

Ernst & Young (Australia) for other assurance services 
Ernst & Young (Australia) for taxation and other services 
Overseas network firms of Ernst & Young (Australia) for taxation services 

2014 
$000 

2013 
$000

1,490 
217 

1,707 

798 
96 
20 

914 

1,435
205

1,640

531
54
20

605

|  141

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

33.  CommItments FoR exPenDItuRe 

The Group has the following commitments for expenditure: 

(a)  Capital commitments   

 Capital expenditure contracted for at reporting date for which  
no amounts have been provided in the financial statements, payable: 

Not later than one year 
Later than one year but not later than five years 
Later than five years 

(b)  minimum exploration commitments 

 Minimum exploration commitments for which no amounts have been  
provided in the financial statements or capital commitments, payable: 

Not later than one year 
Later than one year but not later than five years 
Later than five years 

 The Group has certain obligations to perform minimum exploration work  
and expend minimum amounts of money pursuant to the terms of the granting 
of petroleum exploration permits in order to maintain rights of tenure.

 These commitments may be varied as a result of renegotiations of the terms  
of the exploration permits, licences or contracts or alternatively upon their  
relinquishment. The minimum exploration commitments are less than the normal 
level of exploration expenditures expected to be undertaken by the Group.

(c)  operating lease commitments    

Non-cancellable operating lease rentals are payable as follows: 

Not later than one year 
Later than one year but not later than five years 
Later than five years 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

879 
229 
294 

1,402 

180 
745 
2 

927 

122 
298 
219 

639 

1,336
291
75

1,702

142
413
1

556

124
318
150

592

 The Group leases floating production, storage and offtake facilities, floating storage offloading facilities, LNG carriers and mobile 
offshore production units under operating leases. The leases typically run for a period of four to six years, and may have an option  
to renew after that time.

 The Group also leases building office space and a warehouse under operating leases. The leases are generally for a period of  
10 years, with an option to renew the lease after that date. The lease payments typically increase annually by the Consumer  
Price Index. 

 During the year ended 31 December 2014 the Group recognised $101 million (2013: $73 million) as an expense in the income 
statement in respect of operating leases.

142  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
33.  CommItments FoR exPenDItuRe (ContInueD) 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

(d)  Finance lease commitments  

Finance lease commitments are payable as follows: 

Not later than one year 
Later than one year but not later than five years 
Later than five years 

Minimum lease payments 
Future finance charges 
Leases not commenced at reporting date 

Total lease liabilities 

 The Group leases LNG carriers and tug facilities under finance leases. The leases  
have terms of between 10 and 20 years with varying renewal options. The LNG  
carrier finance leases had not commenced at reporting date. Title does not pass  
to the Group on expiration of the relevant lease period. 

(e)  Remuneration commitments 

 Commitments for the payment of salaries and other remuneration under the  
long-term employment contracts in existence at the reporting date but not  
recognised in liabilities, payable: 

8 
42 
173 

223 
(140) 
(74) 

9 

2
32 
198

232
(151)
(75)

6

Not later than one year 

5 

7

 Amounts included as remuneration commitments include commitments arising from the service contracts of Directors and 
executives referred to in the Remuneration Report of the Directors’ Report that are not recognised as liabilities and are not included 
in the compensation of key management personnel.

(f)  Commitment on removal of shareholder cap

 Pursuant to a Deed of Undertaking to the Premier of South Australia dated 16 October 2007 and as a consequence of the  
enactment of the Santos Limited (Deed of Undertaking) Act 2007 on 29 November 2007, Santos has agreed to:

 • continue to make payments under its existing Social Responsibility and Community Benefits Program specified in the deed  

totalling $60 million over a 10-year period from the date the legislation was enacted. As at 31 December 2014, approximately  
$10 million (2013: $17 million) remains to be paid over the remainder of the 10-year period through to 29 November 2017; and

 • continue to maintain the South Australian Cooper Basin asset’s Head Office and Operational Headquarters together with other 
roles in South Australia for 10-years subsequent to the date the legislation was enacted. At 31 December 2014, if this condition 
had not been met, the Company would have been liable to pay a maximum of $50 million (2013: $50 million) to the State 
Government of South Australia.

 Santos is required to make these payments only if the State Government of South Australia does not reintroduce a shareholder cap 
on the Company’s shares or introduce any other restriction on or in respect of the Company’s Board or senior management which 
has an adverse discriminatory effect in their application to the Company relative to other companies domiciled in South Australia.

34.  ContInGent LIABILItIes

 Contingent liabilities arise in the ordinary course of business through claims against the Group, including contractual, third-party  
and contractor claims. In most instances it is not possible to reasonably predict the outcome of these claims, and as at reporting  
date the Group believes that the aggregate of such claims will not materially impact the Group’s financial report. 

|  143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

35.  PARent entIty DIsCLosuRes

Selected financial information of the ultimate parent entity in the Group, Santos Limited, is as follows:

Net profit for the period 

Total comprehensive income 

Current assets 
Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Total liabilities 

Issued capital 
Retained earnings 

Total equity 

(a)  Commitments of the parent entity 

 The parent entity’s capital expenditure commitments and  
minimum exploration commitments are: 

Capital expenditure commitments 
Minimum exploration commitments 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

529 

529 

841 
13,911 

894 
5,791 

6,905 
1,215 

8,120 

434

448

1,005
15,099

1,473
7,345

6,749
1,005

7,754

222 
49 

204
13

(b)  Guarantees entered into by the parent entity in relation to the debts of its subsidiaries

 Interest-bearing loans and borrowings, as disclosed in note 17, with the exception of the finance leases, are arranged mainly through 
Santos Finance Ltd, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Santos Limited. All interest-bearing loans and borrowings are guaranteed 
by Santos Limited.

(c)  Contingent liabilities of the parent entity

 Contingent liabilities arise in the ordinary course of business through claims against Santos Limited, including contractual,  
third-party and contractor claims. In most instances it is not possible to reasonably predict the outcome of these claims, and as at 
reporting date Santos Limited believes that the aggregate of such claims will not materially impact the Company’s financial report.  

144  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
36.  DeeD oF CRoss GuARAntee

Pursuant to Class Order 98/1418, the wholly-owned subsidiaries listed below are relieved from the Corporations Act 2001 requirements  
for preparation, audit and lodgement of their financial reports.

As a condition of the Class Order, the Company and each of the listed subsidiaries (“the Closed Group”) have entered into a Deed of 
Cross Guarantee (“Deed”). The effect of the Deed is that the Company has guaranteed to pay any deficiency in the event of winding  
up of any of the subsidiaries under certain provisions of the Corporations Act 2001. The subsidiaries have also given a similar guarantee  
in the event that the Company is wound up. 

The subsidiaries subject to the Deed are:

 • Alliance Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd;

 • Basin Oil Pty Ltd; 

 • Bridge Oil Developments Pty Ltd;

 • Reef Oil Pty Ltd;

 • Santos (BOL) Pty Ltd;

 • Santos Darwin LNG Pty Ltd;

 • Santos (NARNL Cooper) Pty Ltd;

 • Santos Offshore Pty Ltd;

 • Santos Petroleum Pty Ltd;

 • Santos QNT Pty Ltd;

 • Santos QNT (No. 1) Pty Ltd;

 • Santos QNT (No. 2) Pty Ltd; and

 • Vamgas Pty Ltd.

|  145

 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

36.  DeeD oF CRoss GuARAntee (ContInueD)

Set out below is a consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of comprehensive income and summary of movements in 
consolidated retained earnings for the year ended 31 December 2014 of the Closed Group:

Consolidated income statement 
Product sales 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Other revenue 
Other income 
Other expenses 
Interest income 
Finance costs 

(Loss)/profit before tax 

Income tax benefit/(expense) 
Royalty-related taxation benefit/(expense) 

Total taxation benefit/(expense) 

net (loss)/profit for the period 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
net (loss)/profit for the period 
other comprehensive income, net of tax: 

Net exchange gain on translation of foreign operations 
Net actuarial gain on defined benefit plan 

total comprehensive (loss)/income 

summary of movements in the Closed Group’s retained earnings 
Retained earnings at 1 January 
Adjustment to retained earnings for companies removed/added  

to Deed during the year 

Net (loss)/profit for the period 
Net actuarial gain on defined benefit plan 
Dividends to shareholders 
Share-based payment transactions 

Retained earnings at 31 December 

2014 
$million 

2,550 
(2,186) 

364 
1,012 
24 
(2,167) 
10 
(56) 

(813) 

417 
121 

538 

(275) 

(275) 

4 
– 

(271) 

1,490 

– 
(275) 
– 
(341) 
22 

896 

2013 
$million

2,630
(2,044)

586
397
44
(244)
43
(86)

740

(233)
(39)

(272)

468

468

30
14

512

1,275

6
468
14
(289)
16

1,490

146  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
36.  DeeD oF CRoss GuARAntee (ContInueD)

Set out below is a consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2014 of the Closed Group:

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Prepayments 
Inventories  
Other financial assets 
Tax receivable 

total current assets 

non-current assets 
Receivables 
Prepayments 
Other financial assets 
Exploration and evaluation assets 
Oil and gas assets 
Other land, buildings, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax assets 

total non-current assets 

total assets 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Deferred income 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
Tax liabilities 
Provisions 

total current liabilities 

non-current liabilities 
Deferred income 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Provisions 
Other non-current liabilities 

total non-current liabilities 

total liabilities 

net assets 

equity 
Issued capital 
Reserves  
Retained earnings 

total equity 

426 
963 
29 
313 
– 
41 

1,772 

– 
179 
9,003 
399 
5,322 
202 
351 

15,456 

17,228 

790 
38 
212 
– 
160 

1,200 

101 
6,564 
– 
1,546 
5 

8,216 

9,416 

7,812 

6,905 
11 
896 

7,812 

423
1,609
36
344
1
6

2,419

1
82
3,787
901
5,525
189
–

10,485

12,904

699
69
–
–
175

943

48
2,003
360
1,299
5

3,715

4,658

8,246

6,749
7
1,490

8,246

|  147

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

37.  FInAnCIAL RIsK mAnAGement

Exposure to foreign currency risk, interest rate risk, commodity price risk, credit risk and liquidity risk arises in the normal course of the 
Group’s business. The Group’s overall financial risk management strategy is to seek to ensure that the Group is able to fund its corporate 
objectives and meet its obligations to stakeholders. Derivative financial instruments may be used to hedge exposure to fluctuations in 
foreign exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices.

The Group uses various methods to measure the types of financial risk to which it is exposed. These methods include Cash Flow at Risk 
analysis in the case of interest rate, foreign exchange and commodity price risk, and ageing analysis for credit risk.

Financial risk management is carried out by a central treasury department (“Treasury”) which operates under Board-approved policies. 
The policies govern the framework and principles for overall risk management and covers specific financial risks, such as foreign  
exchange risk, interest rate risk and credit risk, approved derivative and non-derivative financial instruments, and liquidity management.

(a)  Foreign currency risk

 Foreign exchange risk arises from commercial transactions and valuations of assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency 
that is not the entity’s functional currency. 

 The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk principally through the sale of products denominated in US dollars, borrowings 
denominated in US dollars and euros and foreign currency capital and operating expenditure. In order to economically hedge foreign 
currency risk, the Group from time to time enters into forward foreign exchange, foreign currency swap and foreign currency option 
contracts.

 The Group has certain investments in domestic and foreign operations whose net assets are exposed to foreign currency  
translation risk. Currency exposures arising from the net assets of these operations are managed primarily through borrowings 
denominated in the relevant foreign currency.

 All foreign currency denominated borrowings of Australian dollar (“AUD”) functional currency companies are either designated  
as a hedge of US dollar denominated investments in foreign operations (2014: US$2,855 million; 2013: US$1,639 million), or  
swapped using cross-currency swaps to US dollars and designated as a hedge of US dollar denominated investments in foreign 
operations (2014: US$1,410 million; 2013: US$1,410 million). As a result, there were no net foreign currency gains or losses arising  
from translation of US dollar denominated borrowings recognised in the income statement in 2014.

 Monetary items, including financial assets and liabilities, denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of  
an operation, are periodically restated to Australian dollar equivalents, and the associated gain or loss is taken to the income 
statement. The exception is foreign exchange gains or losses on foreign currency provisions for restoration at operating sites  
that are capitalised in oil and gas assets. 

 Based on the Group’s net financial assets and liabilities at 31 December 2014, the following table demonstrates the estimated 
sensitivity to a ±15 cent movement in the US dollar exchange rate (2013: ±15 cent) and a ±10 cent movement in the euro exchange 
rate (2013: ±10 cent) with all other variables held constant, on post-tax profit and equity:

Impact on post-tax profit: 

AUD/USD +15 cents (2013: +15 cents) 
AUD/USD –15 cents (2013: –15 cents) 
AUD/EUR +10 cents (2013: +10 cents) 
AUD/EUR –10 cents (2013: –10 cents) 

Impact on equity: 

AUD/USD +15 cents (2013: +15 cents) 
AUD/USD –15 cents (2013: –15 cents) 
AUD/EUR +10 cents (2013: +10 cents) 
AUD/EUR –10 cents (2013: –10 cents) 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

20 
(20) 
– 
– 

20 
(20) 
– 
– 

23
(23)
–
–

23
(23)
–
–

   The above sensitivity will vary depending on the Group’s financial asset and liability profile over time. The ±15 cent sensitivity in the 
US dollar exchange rate and ±10 cent sensitivity in the euro exchange rate is the Group’s estimate of reasonably possible changes 
over the following financial year, based on recent volatility experienced in the market.

148  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37.  FInAnCIAL RIsK mAnAGement (ContInueD)

(b)  market risk

Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk

 The Group’s interest rate risk arises from its borrowings. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow interest 
rate risk. Borrowings issued at fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk.

 The Group adopts a policy of ensuring that the majority of its exposure to changes in interest rates on borrowings is on a floating  
rate basis. Interest rate swaps, denominated in Australian dollars and US dollars, have been entered into as fair value hedges of 
medium-term notes, long-term notes and subordinated debt. When transacted, these swaps had maturities ranging from 1 to 20 
years, aligned with the maturity of the related notes. 

 During 2013, the Group entered into US dollar denominated interest rate swaps, which fix the interest rate associated with the 
coupon payments on US$670 million of uncovered export credit agency supported loan through to the end of 2016. These 
instruments have been designated as cash flow hedges.

At 31 December 2014, the Group had interest rate swaps with a notional contract amount of $2,452 million (2013: $2,397 million).

 The net fair value of swaps at 31 December 2014 was $141 million (2013: $144 million), comprising assets of $141 million and liabilities 
of nil (2013: assets of $144 million and liabilities of nil). These amounts were recognised as fair value derivatives.

 Based on the net debt position as at 31 December 2014, taking into account interest rate swaps, it is estimated that if US London 
Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) interest rates changed by ±0.50% (2013: ±0.50%), Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) by 
±0.50% (2013: ±0.50%) and Australian Bank Bill Swap reference rate (“BBSW”) by ±0.50% (2013: ±0.50%), with all other variables 
held constant, the impact on post-tax profit and equity would be:

Impact on post-tax profit as a result of changing interest rates:  

US +0.50%/EU +0.50%/AU +0.50%
(2013: US +0.50%/EU +0.50%/AU +0.50%) 
US –0.50%/EU –0.50%/AU –0.50%
(2013: US –0.50%/EU –0.50%/AU –0.50%) 
Impact on equity as a result of changing interest rates: 

US +0.50%/EU +0.50%/AU +0.50%
(2013: US +0.50%/EU +0.50%/AU +0.50%) 
US –0.50%/EU –0.50%/AU –0.50%
(2013: US –0.50%/EU –0.50%/AU –0.50%) 

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

14 

(14) 

14 

(14) 

7

(7)

7

(7)

 This assumes that the change in interest rates is effective from the beginning of the financial year and the net debt position  
and fixed/floating mix is constant over the year. However, interest rates and the debt profile of the Group are unlikely to remain 
constant and therefore the above sensitivity analysis will be subject to change.

 The sensitivity analysis is based on the Group’s reasonable estimate of changes in interest rates over the following financial  
year and reflects annual interest rate volatility. Changes in interest rates over the following year may be greater or less than the  
US LIBOR ±0.50%, EURIBOR ±0.50% and the Australian BBSW ±0.50% sensitivity employed in the estimates above.

|  149

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

37.  FInAnCIAL RIsK mAnAGement (ContInueD)

(b)  market risk (continued)

Cash flow hedge accounting 

The Group has issued €1,000 million subordinated notes with an average fixed interest rate of 8.25%.

 In order to reduce the variability of the Australian dollar cash flows arising from the euro principal and interest payments to 
September 2017, the Group entered into cross-currency interest rate swap contracts in March 2011, under which it has a right to 
receive interest at fixed euro rates and pay interest at floating US dollar interest rates. These contracts are in place to cover all 
remaining principal and interest payments on €950 million of the subordinated notes.

Subordinated notes totalling €50 million have been swapped to a fixed US dollar interest rate of 8.48% for seven years.

 At December 2014, the Group has fully drawn the US$1,200 million Uncovered export credit agency supported loan facility, which  
is repayable in 2019.

 In May 2013 the Group entered into US dollar interest rate swap contracts, under which it has a right to receive interest at  
floating US dollar rates and pay interest at fixed US dollar interest rates. These contracts are in place to cover coupon payments  
on US$670 million Uncovered export credit agency supported loans through to the end of 2016.

 The cross-currency and interest rate swap contracts are recognised at fair value and all gains and losses attributable to the hedged 
risks are recognised in the hedge reserve and reclassified into the income statement when the interest expense is recognised.

The movement in hedge reserve is as follows:

Opening balance 
Charged to comprehensive income 

Closing balance 

Commodity price risk exposure

2014 
$million 

2013 
$million

(10) 
(9) 

(19) 

(6)
(4)

(10)

 The Group is exposed to commodity price fluctuations through the sale of petroleum products and other oil-price-linked  
contracts. The Group may enter into commodity crude oil price swap and option contracts to manage its commodity price risk.  
At 31 December 2014, the Group has no open oil price swap contracts (2013: nil), and therefore is not exposed to movements in 
commodity prices on financial instruments. The Group continues to monitor oil price volatility and to assess the need for commodity 
price hedging.

(c)  Credit risk

 Credit risk for the Group arises from investments in cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and deposits 
with banks and financial institutions, as well as credit exposures to customers including outstanding receivables and committed 
transactions, and represents the potential financial loss if counterparties fail to perform as contracted. Santos employs credit policies 
which include monitoring exposure to credit risk on an ongoing basis. The majority of Santos’ gas contracts are spread across major 
Australian energy retailers and industrial users. Contracts exist in every mainland state whilst the largest customer accounts for 
approximately 30% of contracted gas.

 The Group controls credit risk by setting minimum creditworthiness requirements for counterparties, which for banks and financial 
institutions are based upon their long-term credit rating.

Rating 

AAA, AA, AA– 
A+, A, A–  

Approved 
counterparties 

6 
13 

total 
credit limit 
$million 

11,950 
7,550 

total 
exposure 
$million 

2,024 
1,051 

exposure 
range 
$million

0 – 1,693
0 – 269

150  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37.  FInAnCIAL RIsK mAnAGement (ContInueD)

(c)  Credit risk (continued)

 If customers are independently rated these ratings are used, otherwise the credit quality of the customer is assessed by taking into 
account its financial position, past experience and other factors including credit support from a third party. Individual risk limits for 
banks and financial institutions are set based on external ratings in accordance with limits set by the Board. Limits for customers  
are determined within contract terms. The daily nomination of gas demand by customers and the utilisation of credit limits by 
customers are monitored by line management.

 In addition, receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with the result that the Group’s exposure to bad debts is not 
significant. The Group does not hold collateral, nor does it securitise its trade and other receivables.

 At the reporting date there were no significant concentrations of credit risk within the Group and financial instruments are  
spread amongst a number of financial institutions to minimise the risk of counterparty default. The maximum exposure to financial 
institution credit risk is represented by the sum of all cash deposits plus accrued interest, bank account balances, undrawn credit 
facility limits and derivative mark-to-market gains. 

(d)  Liquidity risk

 The Group adopts a prudent liquidity risk management strategy and seeks to maintain sufficient liquid assets and available  
committed credit facilities to meet short-term to medium-term liquidity requirements. The Group’s objective is to maintain flexibility  
in funding to meet ongoing operational requirements, exploration and development expenditure, and other corporate initiatives.

 The following table analyses the contractual maturities of the Group’s financial liabilities, and financial assets held to manage  
liquidity risk. The relevant maturity groupings are based on the remaining period to the contractual maturity date, at the reporting 
date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows comprising principal and interest repayments. 
Estimated variable interest expense is based upon appropriate yield curves as at 31 December 2014.

Less than 
1 year 
$million 

1 to 2 
years 
$million 

2 to 5 
years 
$million  

more than 
5 years 
$million

2014 
Financial assets held to manage liquidity risk 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Derivative financial assets 
Interest rate swap contracts 
Derivative financial liabilities 
Cross-currency swap contracts 
non-derivative financial liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Obligations under finance leases 
Commercial paper 
Bank loans 
Medium-term notes  
Long-term notes  
Subordinated debt 

775 

41 

22 

(1,382) 
(2) 
(140) 
(170) 
(106) 
(111) 
(123) 

(1,196) 

– 

40 

10 

– 
– 
– 
(480) 
– 
(45) 
(123) 

(598) 

– 

60 

(241) 

– 
(7) 
– 
(4,154) 
– 
(532) 
(1,609) 

(6,483) 

–

29

–

–
(7)
–
(2,134)
–
(338)
–

(2,450)

|  151

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

notes to the Consolidated Financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2014

37.  FInAnCIAL RIsK mAnAGement (ContInueD)

(d)  Liquidity risk (continued)

Less than 
1 year 
$million 

1 to 2 
years 
$million 

2 to 5 
years 
$million 

more than 
5 years 
$million

2013  
Financial assets held to manage liquidity risk 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Derivative financial assets 
Interest rate swap contracts 
Cross-currency swap contracts 
non-derivative financial liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Obligations under finance leases 
Commercial paper 
Bank loans 
Medium-term notes  
Long-term notes  
Subordinated debt 

645 

40 
35 

(1,235) 
(1) 
(100) 
(215) 
(6) 
(118) 
(128) 

(1,083) 

(e)  Fair values 

– 

38 
33 

– 
– 
– 
(138) 
(106) 
(102) 
(128) 

(403) 

– 

70 
(10) 

– 
(5) 
– 
(1,201) 
– 
(334) 
(1,804) 

(3,284) 

–

21
–

–
–
–
(2,712)
–
(506)
–

(3,197)

 The financial assets and liabilities of the Group are all initially recognised in the statement of financial position at their fair value in 
accordance with the accounting policies in note 1. The initial fair values of receivables, payables, interest-bearing liabilities and other 
financial assets and liabilities, which are not subsequently measured at fair value, approximate their carrying value. 

The following summarises the significant methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair values of financial instruments:

Available-for-sale financial assets

The fair value of available-for-sale financial assets is determined by reference to their quoted bid price at the reporting date.

 At 31 December 2014, the Group held available-for-sale financial assets of $10 million (2013: $10 million) at cost. The asset 
relates to an equity instrument in an unlisted public company that carries out exploration activities. The Group expects to 
continue to hold the investment for the foreseeable future.

Derivatives

 The fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated by discounting estimated future cash flows based on the terms of maturity 
of each contract and using market interest rates for a similar instrument at the reporting date. Where these cash flows are in 
a foreign currency, the present value is converted to Australian dollars at the foreign exchange spot rate prevailing at reporting 
date.

Financial liabilities

 Fair value is calculated based on the present value of future principal and interest cash flows, discounted at the market rate  
of interest at the reporting date. Where these cash flows are in a foreign currency, the present value is converted to Australian 
dollars at the foreign exchange spot rate prevailing at reporting date.

152  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37.  FInAnCIAL RIsK mAnAGement (ContInueD)

(e)  Fair values (continued)

Interest rates used for determining fair value

 The interest rates used to discount estimated future cash flows, where applicable, are based on the market yield curve and credit 
spreads at the reporting date. The interest rates including credit spreads used to determine fair value were as follows:

Derivatives 
Loans and borrowings 

2014 
% 

0.1 – 5.1 
0.1 – 5.1 

2013 
%

0.3 – 5.0
0.3 – 5.0

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

Level 1:  quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

Level 2: 

 other techniques for which all inputs which have significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either 
directly or indirectly;

 Level 3:    techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on 

observable market data.

The Group held the following financial instruments measured at fair value:

total 
$million 

Level 1 
$million 

Level 2 
$million 

Level 3 
$million

2014 
Assets measured at fair value 
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss: 

Interest rate swap contracts 
Embedded derivatives 

141 
1 

Liabilities measured at fair value 
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss: 

Cross-currency swap contracts 
Long-term notes 
Medium-term notes 

2013 
Assets measured at fair value 
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss: 

Interest rate swap contracts 
Cross-currency swap contracts 
Embedded derivatives 

(154) 
(841) 
(102) 

144 
65 
5 

Liabilities measured at fair value 
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss: 

Long-term notes 
Medium-term notes 

(909) 
(105) 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

141 
1 

(154) 
(841) 
(102) 

144 
65 
5 

(909) 
(105) 

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–

 During the reporting periods ended 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2013, there were no transfers between level 1 and  
level 2 fair value measurements, and no transfers into or out of level 3 fair value measurements.

38.  events AFteR tHe enD oF tHe RePoRtInG PeRIoD

On 20 February 2014, the Directors of Santos Limited declared a final dividend on ordinary shares in respect of the 2014 financial year. 
Consequently, the dividend has not been provided for in the 31 December 2014 financial statements. Refer to note 22 for dividends 
declared after 31 December 2014.

|  153

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

Directors’ Declaration
for the year ended 31 December 2014

In accordance with a resolution of the Directors of Santos Limited (“the Company”), we state that:

1. 

In the opinion of the Directors:

(a)  the financial statements and notes of the consolidated entity are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), including:

(i) 

 giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 31 December 2014 and of its performance for 
the year ended on that date; and

(ii)  complying with Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth); and

(b)  the financial statements and notes comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as disclosed in note 1(a); and

(c) 

 there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and 
payable.

 This declaration has been made after receiving the declarations required to be made to the Directors in accordance with Section 
295A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) for the financial year ended 31 December 2014.

 As at the date of this declaration, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the members of the Closed Group identified in note 36 
will be able to meet any obligations or liabilities to which they are or may become subject by virtue of the Deed of Cross Guarantee 
between the Company and those members of the Closed Group pursuant to Class Order 98/1418.

2. 

3. 

Dated this 20th day of February 2015

On behalf of the Board:

Director  
Adelaide

Director 

154  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report 
to the members of Santos Limited

Report on the financial report

Independence

In conducting our audit we have complied with the independence 
requirements of the Corporations Act 2001. We have given to 
the Directors of the Company a written Auditor’s Independence 
Declaration, a copy of which is referred to in the Directors’ report.

Opinion

In our opinion:

a. 

 the financial report of Santos Limited is in accordance 
with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

(i) 

 giving a true and fair view of the consolidated 
entity’s financial position as at 31 December 2014 
and of its performance for the year ended on that 
date; and

(ii) 

 complying with Australian Accounting Standards 
and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and

b. 

 the financial report also complies with International 
Financial Reporting Standards as disclosed in note 1(a).

Report on the Remuneration Report

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 52 to 
73 of the Directors’ report for the year ended 31 December 2014. 
The Directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation 
and presentation of the Remuneration Report in accordance with 
section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility is 
to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, based on our 
audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.

Opinion

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Santos Limited for the 
year ended 31 December 2014, complies with section 300A of the 
Corporations Act 2001.

Ernst & Young   

T S Hammond  
Partner  
Adelaide 
20 February 2015

We have audited the accompanying financial report of Santos 
Limited, which comprises the consolidated statement of financial 
position as at 31 December 2014, the consolidated income 
statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the 
consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, 
notes comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and 
other explanatory information, and the Directors’ Declaration of 
the consolidated entity comprising the company and the entities 
it controlled at the year’s end or from time to time during the 
financial year.

Directors’ responsibility for the financial report

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in accordance 
with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 
2001 and for such internal controls as the Directors determine are 
necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that is 
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In 
note 1(a), the Directors also state, in accordance with Accounting 
Standard AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements, that the 
financial statements comply with International Financial Reporting 
Standards.

Auditor’s responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report 
based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with 
Australian Auditing Standards. Those standards require that 
we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit 
engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable 
assurance about whether the financial report is free from material 
misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence 
about the amounts and disclosures in the financial report. The 
procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including 
the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the 
financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk 
assessments, the auditor considers internal controls relevant to 
the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial report 
in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the 
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion 
on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal controls. An audit also 
includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies 
used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by 
the Directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the 
financial report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient 
and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

|  155

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Report

Auditor’s Independence Declaration
to the Directors of Santos Limited

In relation to our audit of the financial report of Santos Limited for the financial year ended 31 December 2014, to the best of my 
knowledge and belief, there have been no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 or any 
applicable code of professional conduct.

Ernst & Young   

T S Hammond  
Partner  
Adelaide 
20 February 2015

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

156  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information  
for shareholders

notICe oF meetInG 

The Annual General Meeting of Santos 
Limited will be held in Hall L at Adelaide 
Convention Centre, North Terrace, 
Adelaide, South Australia, on Thursday  
30 April 2015 at 10:00 am.

FInAL DIvIDenD

The 2014 final ordinary dividend will be  
paid on 25 March 2015 to shareholders 
registered in the books of the Company  
at the close of business on 27 February 
2015 in respect of fully paid shares held  
at record date.

seCuRItIes exCHAnGe LIstInG

Santos Limited. Incorporated in Adelaide, 
South Australia, on 18 March 1954. 
Quoted on the official list of the Australian 
Securities Exchange (ordinary shares code 
STO).

DIReCtoRs

KC Borda (Chairman), DJW Knox, 
(Managing Director), YA Allen,  
PR Coates, KA Dean, RA Franklin,  
H Goh, JS Hemstritch, GJW Martin,  
SD Sheffield.

ComPAny seCRetARy

DTJ Lim

CHAnGe oF sHAReHoLDeR DetAILs

Shareholders can access their current 
shareholding details and change many of 
these details online via the website, www.
investorcentre.com/sto. The website 
requires you to quote your Shareholder 
Reference Number (“SRN”) or Holder 
Identification Number (“HIN”) in order  
to access this information. Forms are  
also available to advise the Company  
of changes relating to change of 
address, direct crediting of dividends, 
Tax File Number and Australian Business 
Number, Annual Report and Sustainability 
Report mailing preferences and Dividend 
Reinvestment Plan participation.

InvestoR InFoRmAtIon  
AnD seRvICes 

santos website

A wide range of information for  
investors is available from Santos’ website,  
www.santos.com, including Annual 
Reports, Sustainability Reports, Full-Year 
and Interim Reports and presentations, 
news announcements, Quarterly Activities 
Reports and current well information.

Comprehensive archives of these materials 
dating back to 1997 are available on the 
Santos website.

Other investor information available on  
the Santos website includes:

 • webcasts of investor briefings;

 •  an email alert facility where people can 

register to be notified, free of charge, 
of Santos’ News Announcements via 
email; and

 •  an RSS feed of Santos’ News 

Announcements, which allows people 
to view these announcements using 
RSS reader software.

The Santos website provides a full history  
of Santos’ dividend payments and equity 
issues. Shareholders can also check their 
holdings and payment history via the  
secure View Shareholding section.

Santos’ website also provides an online 
Conversion Calculator, which instantly 
computes equivalent values of the most 
common units of measurement in the  
oil and gas industry.

Publications

The Annual Report, Interim Report, 
Shareholder Review and the Sustainability 
Report are the major sources of printed 
information about Santos. Printed copies  
of the reports are available from the Share 
Registry or Investor Relations.

sHAReHoLDeR enquIRIes

Enquiries about shareholdings should be 
directed to:

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited  
GPO Box 2975 
Melbourne, Victoria 3001 
Phone: 

1300 017 716 (within Australia) or  
+61 3 9938 4343 (outside Australia) 

Investor enquiries online:  

www.investorcentre.com/contact 

Website:  www.investorcentre.com/sto

Investor information, other than that 
relating to a shareholding, can be 
obtained from:

Investor Relations, Santos Limited  
GPO Box 2455 
Adelaide, South Australia 5001  
Telephone: 08 8116 5000 
Email: investor.relations@santos.com

Electronic enquiries can also be submitted 
through the ‘Contact Us’ section of the  
Santos website, www.santos.com

sHAReHoLDeRs’ CALenDAR

2014 full-year Results announcement  
20 February 2015

Ex-dividend date for 2014 full-year dividend 
25 February 2015

Record date for 2014 full-year dividend  
27 February 2015

Payment date for 2014 full-year dividend  
25 March 2015

Annual General Meeting  
30 April 2015

2015 interim results announcement  
21 August 2015

Ex-dividend date for 2015 interim dividend 
26 August 2015

Record date for 2015 interim dividend  
28 August 2015

Payment date for 2015 interim dividend  
30 September 2015

Dates may be subject to change. 

quARteRLy RePoRtInG CALenDAR

2015 First Quarter Activities Report  
17 April 2015

2015 Second Quarter Activities Report  
17 July 2015

2015 Third Quarter Activities Report  
23 October 2015

2015 Fourth Quarter Activities Report  
22 January 2016

Dates are subject to change and are 
published on the Santos website,  
www.santos.com

|  157

 
 
 
 
Financial Report

securities exchange  
and shareholder Information

Listed on the Australian Securities Exchange at 27 February 2015 were 982,396,796 fully paid ordinary shares. Unlisted were 21,500 
partly paid Plan 0 shares, 21,500 partly paid Plan 2 shares, 423,961 fully paid restricted ordinary shares issued pursuant to the 
ShareMatch Plan, 745,958 restricted fully paid ordinary shares issued to eligible Senior Executives pursuant to the Santos Employee 
Share Purchase Plan (“SESPP”), 43,919 fully paid ordinary shares issued pursuant to the Non-executive Director Share Plan (“NED 
Share Plan”), 24,083 restricted fully paid ordinary shares pursuant to the Eastern Star Gas Limited Employee Incentive Plan (“ESG 
Plan”), 105,052 fully paid ordinary shares issued with further restrictions pursuant to the ShareMatch Plan and 30,102 fully paid ordinary 
shares issued with further restrictions pursuant to the Santos Employee Share Purchase Plan (“SESPP”).

There were 148,740 holders of all classes of issued ordinary shares, including: 3 holders of Plan 0 shares; 3 holders of Plan 2 shares;  
985 holders of ShareMatch shares; 53 holders of restricted shares pursuant to the SESPP; 3 holders of NED Share Plan shares;  
2 holders of ESG Plan shares; 114 holders of ShareMatch shares with further restrictions and 9 holders of SESPP shares with further 
restrictions. This compared with 113,714 holders of all classes of issued ordinary shares a year earlier.

On 27 February 2015 there were also: 38 holders of 3,992,038 Options granted pursuant to the Santos Executive Share Option Plan;  
103 holders of 5,553,758 Share Acquisition Rights pursuant to the SESPP and 1,695 holders of 1,333,218 Share Acquisition Rights 
pursuant to the ShareMatch Plan.

The listed issued ordinary shares plus the ordinary shares issued pursuant to the SESPP, and the restricted shares issued pursuant to 
the SESPP, ShareMatch Plan, NED Share Plan and ESG Plan, represent all of the voting power in Santos. The holdings of the 20 largest 
holders of ordinary shares represent 51.39% of the total voting power in Santos (64.15% on 28 February 2014). The largest shareholders 
of fully paid ordinary shares in Santos as shown in the Company’s Register of Members at 27 February 2015 were:

name 

no. of shares 

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited 

National Nominees Limited 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 

BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd  

CS Fourth Nominees Pty Ltd 

Ecapital Nominees Pty Limited  

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited-GSCO ECA 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited  

Australian Foundation Investment Company Limited 

Argo Investments Limited 

 Warbont Nominees Pty Ltd  

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd  

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited  

QIC Limited 

Bainpro Nominees Pty Limited 

UBS Wealth Management Australia Nominees Pty Ltd 

RBC Investor Services Australia Nominees Pty Limited  

AMP Life Limited 

Mr John Charles Ellice-Flint 

total: 

158  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

150,525,351 

110,377,415 

77,923,963 

56,693,350 

17,644,288 

14,950,172 

13,514,181 

10,766,894 

8,784,497 

7,989,581 

6,164,473 

4,825,772 

4,184,000 

3,346,873 

3,335,243 

2,999,701 

2,988,024 

2,780,294 

2,556,549 

2,483,873 

%

15.32

11.24

7.93

5.77

1.80

1.52

1.38

1.10

0.89

0.81

0.63

0.49

0.43

0.34

0.34

0.31

0.30

0.28

0.26

0.25

504,834,494 

51.39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AnALysIs oF sHARes – RAnGe oF sHARes HeLD 

Fully paid ordinary shares (holders) 

% of holders  % of shares held

1–1,000 

1,001–5,000 

5,001–10,000   

10,001–100,000 

100,001 and over 

total 

Less than a marketable parcel of $500 

63,320 

66,890 

12,000 

6,352 

178 

148,740 

4,321 

42.57 

44.97 

8.07 

4.27 

0.12 

100.00 

3.23

16.35

8.76

13.36

58.30

100.00

Substantial Shareholders as disclosed by notices received by the Company as at 27 February 2015: Nil. 

For Directors’ Shareholdings see the Directors’ Report as set out on page 38 of this Annual Report. 

votInG RIGHts

Every member present in person or by an attorney, a proxy or a representative shall on a show of hands, have one vote and upon a poll, 
one vote for every fully paid ordinary share held. Pursuant to the Rules of the Santos Executive Share Plan, Plan 2 and Plan 0 shares do 
not carry any voting rights except on a proposal to vary the rights attached to Plan shares.

|  159

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
F
Finance Committee 
Financial Report 
Financial Risk Management 

I
Information for shareholders 
Independent Auditor’s report  

m
Managing Director and  
Chief Executive Officer’s Q&A 

28-29
75-154
148-153

157
155

3

n
Nomination Committee 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements 

28-30

81-153

P
People and Remuneration Committee 

Production and Sales 

R
Remuneration Report 
Reserves Statement 
Risk management 

s
Santos Leadership Team 
Securities exchange  
and shareholder information 
Securities Trading Policy 

28-30, 57
10, 41

52-73
11-15
31

8-9

158-159
34

t
10-year summary 
36-37
Total shareholder return (TSR)  53, 60, 132

Financial Report

Index

A
Annual General Meeting 
Audit & Risk Committee 

157
16, 18, 28-29,  
31, 40, 65
156

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

B
Board of Directors 
Board Committees 

C
Chairman’s Letter 
Code of Conduct 
Consolidated Income Statement 
Consolidated Statement  
of Cash Flows 
Consolidated Statement  
of Changes in Equity 
Consolidated Statement  
of Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Statement  
of Financial Position 
Continuous disclosure  
and shareholder communication 
Corporate governance 

6-7
28-30

1-2
34
76, 146

79

80

77, 146

78, 147

34-35
16-35

D
Directors 
Directors declaration 
Directors’ remuneration 
Directors’ report 
Diversity, ethics and conduct 
Dividend 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan 

e
Earnings per share 
Environment, Health, Safety  
and Sustainability committee 

6-7
154
65, 69
38-74
32-35
37, 49, 60, 76,  
79-80, 91, 116,  
122, 153, 157
49, 114, 124

37, 76, 117

28-30

160  |  Santos Annual Report 2014

 
 
 
 
 
Glossary

Aboriginal 
Refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait 
Islander people. 

barrel/bbl 
The standard unit of measurement for all  
oil and condensate production. One barrel = 
159 litres or 35 imperial gallons.

hydrocarbon 
Compounds containing only the elements 
hydrogen and carbon, which may exist as 
solids, liquids or gases.

joules 
Joules are the metric measurement unit for 
energy.

boe 
Barrels of oil equivalent.

carbon dioxide equivalent (Co2-e) 
A measure of greenhouse gases (e.g. 
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) 
with the equivalent global warming 
potential as carbon dioxide when measured 
over a specific time.

the company 
Santos Ltd and its subsidiaries.

condensate 
A natural gas liquid that occurs in 
association with natural gas and is mainly 
composed of pentane and heavier 
hydrocarbon fractions.

proven, probable plus possible reserves 
contingent resources (2C) 
Those quantities of hydrocarbons which are 
estimated, on a given date, to be potentially 
recoverable from known accumulations,  
but which are not currently considered to 
be commercially recoverable. Contingent 
resources may be of a significant size, but 
still have constraints to development.  
These constraints, preventing the booking 
of reserves, may relate to lack of gas 
marketing arrangements or to technical, 
environmental or political barriers. 

crude oil 
A general term for unrefined liquid 
petroleum or hydrocarbons.

CsG 
Coal seam gas. Predominantly methane  
gas stored within coal deposits or seams.

eBItDAx 
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, 
depletion, exploration and impairment.

exploration 
Drilling, seismic or technical studies 
undertaken to identify and evaluate regions 
or prospects with the potential to contain 
hydrocarbons.

A gigajoule (GJ) is equal to 1 joule × 109

A terajoule (TJ) is equal to 1 joule × 1012

A petajoule (PJ) is equal to 1 joule × 1015

liquid hydrocarbons (liquids) 
A sales product in liquid form; for example, 
condensate and LPG.

LnG 
Liquefied natural gas. Natural gas that has 
been liquefied by refrigeration to store 
or transport it. Generally, LNG comprises 
mainly methane.

lost-time injury frequency rate (LtIFR) 
A statistical measure of health and safety 
performance, calculated a the number  
of hours worked. A lost-time injury is a 
work-related injury or illness that results  
in a persons disability, or time lost from 
work of one day shift or more.

LPG 
Liquefied petroleum gas. A mixture of 
light hydrocarbons derived from oil-
bearing strata which is gaseous at normal 
temperatures but which has been liquefied 
by refrigeration or pressure to store or 
transport it. Generally, LPG comprises 
mainly propane and butane.

market capitalisation 
A measurement of a company’s stock 
market value at a given date. Market 
capitalisation is calculated as the number  
of shares on issue multiplied by the  
closing share price on that given date.

medical treatment injury 
A work-related injury or illness, other than 
a lost-time injury, that is serious enough to 
require more than minor first aid treatment. 
Santos classifies injuries that result in 
modified duties as medical treatment injuries.

mmboe 
Million barrels of oil equivalent.

oil 
A mixture of liquid hydrocarbons of  
different molecular weights.

proven reserves (1P) 
Reserves that, to a high degree of certainty 
(90% confidence), are recoverable. There 
is relatively little risk associated with these 
reserves. Proven developed reserves 
are reserves that can be recovered from 
existing wells with existing infrastructure 
and operating methods. Proven 
undeveloped reserves require development.

proven plus probable reserves (2P) 
Reserves that analysis of geological and 
engineering data suggests are more likely 
than not to be recoverable. There is at least 
a 50% probability that reserves recovered 
will exceed proven plus probable reserves.

sales gas 
Natural gas that has been processed by  
gas plant facilities and meets the required 
specifications under gas sales agreements.

santos 
Santos Limited and its subsidiaries.

seismic survey 
Data used to gain an understanding  
of rock formations beneath the earth’s 
surface using reflected sound waves.

total recordable case frequency rate 
(tRCFR) 
A statistical measure of health and safety 
performance. Total recordable case 
frequency rate is calculated as the total 
number of recordable cases (medical 
treatment injuries and lost-time injuries)  
per million hours worked.

Conversion

Crude oil

1 barrel = 1 boe

Sales gas

1 petajoule = 171,937 boe

Condensate/
naphtha

1 barrel = 0.935 boe

LPG

1 tonne = 8.458 boe

For a comprehensive online conversion 
calculator tool, visit the Santos website 
at www.santos.com

Designed and produced by www.twelvecreative.com.au

|  161

Santos Limited 
ABN 80 007 550 923

ReGIsteReD AnD HeAD oFFICe

Ground Floor Santos Centre 
60 Flinders Street 
Adelaide SA 5000 
GPO Box 2455 
Adelaide SA 5001

Telephone:  +61 8 8116 5000 
Facsimile:  +61 8 8116 5050 
Website:  www.santos.com

sHARe ReGIsteR

Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd 
Yarra Falls, 452 Johnson Street 
Abbotsford VIC 3067 
GPO Box 2975 
Melbourne VIC 3001 

Online enquiries: www.investorcentre.com/contact 
Website:  www.investorcentre.com/sto

Telephone:  1300 017 716 (within Australia) 
+61 3 9938 4343 (international)