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Santos Ltd

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FY2017 Annual Report · Santos Ltd
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Annual Report  
2017

Transform
Build
Grow

Santos Limited ABN 80 007 550 923

This 2017 Annual Report is a summary of Santos’ operations, 
activities and financial position as at 31 December 2017.

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

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

Santos’ Corporate Governance Statement can be viewed at:  
www.santos.com/who-we-are/corporate-governance

CONTENTS

1  About Santos

2  Financial Overview

4 

 Message from the Chairman and from the Managing Director 
and Chief Executive Officer

6  Board of Directors

8  Santos Executive Committee

10  Reserves Statement

16  Directors’ Report

31  2017 Remuneration in Brief

34  Remuneration Report

55  Financial Report

123  Directors’ Declaration

124  Independent Auditor’s Report

129 Auditor’s Independence Declaration

130 Securities Exchange and Shareholder Information

132 Glossary

133 Corporate Directory

An Australian 
Energy Pioneer

Santos is an Australian natural gas company.  
Established in 1954, the company’s purpose is to 
provide sustainable returns for our shareholders 
by supplying reliable, affordable and cleaner 
energy to improve the lives of people in Australia 
and Asia. 

Five core long-life natural gas assets sit at the heart of a three phase strategy to 
Transform, Build and Grow the business: Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Western 
Australia Gas, Queensland and the Cooper Basin. Each of our core assets provide stable 
production, long-term revenue streams and significant upside opportunities.

With one of the largest exploration and production acreages in Australia, a significant and 
growing footprint in Papua New Guinea, and a strategic infrastructure position, Santos is 
well positioned to benefit from the growing global demand for energy.

To deliver our vision to be Australia’s leading energy company by 2025, we will aspire to:

•  Reduce emissions and improve air quality across Asia and Australia by displacing coal 
with natural gas, and support the economic development of combined gas and 
renewable energy solutions

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Be the leading national supplier of domestic gas in Australia

 Be a leading regional LNG supplier by increasing LNG sales to our Asian customers to 
over 4.5 million tonnes per annum

 Be recognised as the safest and lowest cost onshore gas developer in Australia

 Become the market leader in running the safest and lowest cost facilities and 
infrastructure operations

 Contribute positively to the communities in which we operate by providing jobs, 
energy supply and local partnerships

• 

 Develop our people and culture to deliver our vision

Santos is now a stronger, more resilient organisation with the capacity to execute and 
bring on-line growth opportunities across the core asset portfolio. As a low-cost, reliable 
and high performance business, we are proud to deliver the economic and environmental 
benefits of natural gas to homes and businesses throughout Australia and Asia. 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 1

Financial Overview

STRONG OPERATING PERFORMANCE

Sales volume 
mmboe

Production 
mmboe

Sales revenue 
US$million

83.4
83.4

84.1

59.5

59.5

3,107

51.0

54.1

57.7

61.6

3,483

3,641

2,442

2,594

58.5

63.7

64.3

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2017

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

CASH FLOW TRANSFORMED AND UNDERLYING PROFIT INCREASING

Operating cash flow 
US$million

Free cash flow 
US$million

Underlying net profit after tax 
US$million

Operating cash flow

1,248
1,248

618

618

206

336

1,574

1,633

-2,545

-1,591

-739

487

523

811

840

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2013

2014

49
2015

63
2016

2017

COSTS REDUCED AND BALANCE SHEET STRENGTHENED

Unit production costs 
US$ per boe

Capital expenditure 
US$million

Net debt 
US$million

Unit production costs

Capital expenditure

Net debt

Net debt

8.07
8.07

682

682

2,731

14.14

13.15

10.35

8.45

4,004

3,300

6,128

4,381

4,749

3,492

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2013

2014

1,288
2015

625
2016

2017

2017

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2 / Santos Annual Report 2017

2017 Sales volumes 
mmboe

2017 Production 
mmboe

2017 Sales revenue 
US$million

Third-party product  
25.0

LPG 1.2
Condensate 
3.1

Oil 6.4

Sales gas  
and ethane  
26.7

LPG 88

Condensate 
235

Oil 579

Sales gas, 
ethane 
and LNG 
2,205

Own product 58.4

LNG 22.1

2017 RESULTS

Sales volume

Production

Average realised oil price

Net profit after tax

mmboe

mmboe

US$/bbl

US$million

Underlying net profit after tax

US$million

Sales revenue

Operating cash flow

EBITDAX1

Total assets

Earnings per share

Dividends declared 

Number of employees

US$million

US$million

US$million

US$million

US cents

AUD cents

2013

 58.5 

 51.0 

 116.4 

 499 

 487 

 3,483 

 1,574 

 1,926 

 18,407 

 51.6 

 30 

 3,502 

2014

 63.7 

 54.1 

 103.4 

(630) 

 523 

 3,641 

 1,633 

 2,076 

 18,281 

(64.4) 

 35 

 3,636 

2017

 83.4 

 59.5 

 57.8 

(360) 

 336 

 3,107 

 1,248 

 1,428 

2015

 64.3 

 57.7 

 53.8 

2016

 84.1 

 61.6 

 46.4 

(1,953) 

(1,047) 

 63 

 2,594 

 840 

 1,199 

 49 

 2,442 

 811 

 1,454 

 15,949 

(169.5) 

 20 

 2,946 

 15,262 

 13,706 

(58.2) 

 - 

(17.3) 

 - 

 2,366 

 2,080 

1   EBITDAX (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, depletion, exploration, 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 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. The non-IFRS financial 
information is unaudited, however, the numbers have been extracted from the audited financial statements. 

Average realised oil price 
US$ per barrel

116.4

103.4

57.8

53.8

46.4

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 3

Message from the Chairman and from the  
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Dear Shareholder,

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

In 2017 our strategy to Transform, Build 
and Grow delivered ahead of expectations. 
Whilst there is still more to be done, the 
business has been re-set. Santos is now 
a stronger, more resilient company with 
the capacity to execute and bring on-line 
growth opportunities across our core 
asset portfolio.

Over the course of 2017 we:

•  Reduced our free cash flow breakeven 

to US$32 per barrel oil price

•  Generated $618 million in free cash 

flow, before asset sales 

•  Reduced net debt by $761 million 

to $2.7 billion, and 

•  Reported an underlying net profit 

after tax of $336 million

A strong operating performance across 
our core assets resulted in sales volumes 
of 83.4 million barrels of oil equivalent 
(mmboe) exceeding the top end of 
guidance, and production of 59.5 mmboe. 
LNG sales volumes were up 10% to a 
record 3.1 million tonnes following continued 
strong performance from PNG LNG and 
the ramp-up of GLNG. LNG sales revenues 
were up 33% to a record US$1.2 billion.

At our half-year results we announced a 
change in the asset and macro assumptions 
that determine the carrying value of 
our assets. This triggered a non-cash 
net impairment charge of $689 million 
after tax. The impairment reflected a 
write-down of our GLNG asset and the 
undeveloped Ande Ande Lumut oil field 
in Indonesia, predominantly due to lower 
oil price assumptions. This was offset by 
a positive net write-back on our Cooper 
Basin asset due to higher assumed 
development activity and production 
supported by significant improvements 
in costs, particularly across our drilling 
operations. Additional impairment charges 
of $14 million after tax were recorded 
against other assets in the second half, 
resulting in a full-year net loss after tax 
of $360 million.

4 / Santos Annual Report 2017

In 2017 we made strong progress to 
strengthen the balance sheet. By year 
end net debt was $2.7 billion, down from 
$3.5 billion twelve months prior. Debt 
repayment continues to be a key priority 
for the company as we target $2 billion 
in net debt by the end of 2019.

Given the current focus on debt reduction, 
the Board did not declare a final dividend. 
While this decision will be disappointing 
for some shareholders, we are confident 
that prioritising debt repayment is the right 
course of action at this time and will position 
the company to fund growth opportunities 
from a position of strength and generate 
sustainable shareholder returns.

In light of the substantial turnaround in 
the underlying business, should market 
conditions remain supportive and the 
company achieves its debt reduction 
target ahead of plan, the Board will 
consider capital management strategies 
to return value to shareholders.

TRANSFORMING OUR 
OPERATIONS

Core to the transformation of Santos has 
been the turnaround in our onshore “drill–
complete–connect” operations across the 
Cooper Basin and GLNG acreage. Running 
our onshore upstream operations as a 
separate business has provided the focus 
and discipline required to adopt innovative, 
lean principles and drive quick-cycle 
learnings. 

As a result of these efforts, Santos is now 
Australia’s lowest-cost onshore operator, 
a significant point of differentiation that 
is not easy to replicate. To leverage these 
capabilities, we are working hard to be the 
“go-to” upstream operator of choice as 
we seek to enter new plays and capture 
incremental value for shareholders.

In addition to the significant cost-out 
and efficiency gains across our onshore 
operations, our high-margin conventional 
assets continued to perform strongly 
in 2017.

PNG LNG operated 20% above nameplate 
capacity to produce 8.3 million tonnes 
(gross) of LNG in 2017, shipping a total of 
110 cargoes. Our core asset position was 
strengthened with the Muruk exploration 
well drilling program in the Southern 
Highlands confirming the discovery of a 
potentially significant new gas field. Muruk 
is situated only 21 kilometres from the 
existing PNG LNG Hides gas conditioning 
plant and an appraisal well is due to be 
drilled in the first half of 2018. We also 
announced two new farm-in agreements. 
We are excited about our growth prospects 
in PNG, and will continue to explore and 
develop opportunities that further align 
partner interests over the coming year.

In Northern Australia, Darwin LNG 
consistently demonstrated excellent 
reliability and availability, delivering its 
600th cargo since start-up in 2006.  
A two-well appraisal campaign in the 
Barossa field resulted in a significant 
increase in 2C resources and positioned 
the field as the lead candidate for backfill 
to Darwin LNG. Good progress is being 
made on the proposed development 
and we expect to approve Front End 
Engineering and Design (“FEED”) in 
the second quarter of 2018 with a Final 
Investment Decision (“FID”) currently 
scheduled for the third quarter of 2019. 

In Western Australia we signed two new 
domestic supply agreements. Our low-
cost operations are well positioned with 
the capacity and reserves to meet short- 
and long-term demand in the region. 

DISCIPLINED OPERATING MODEL

In 2017 we continued to evolve and 
implement our operating model to ensure 
Santos remains focused on maximising 
free cash flow through the oil price cycle. 
Portfolio rules have now been ingrained 
in our day-to-day operations. At the heart 
of this model is the requirement for each 
of our core assets to generate positive 
free cash flow at ≤US$40 per barrel oil 
price, pre major-growth spend. Budgets 
across our Exploration, Development, 
Production and Marketing activities will 

only be approved if this criteria is met. This 
approach ensures we remain disciplined in a 
rising oil price environment and positioned 
to benefit from higher margins to pay down 
debt, fund exploration, grow the business 
and deliver shareholder returns.

RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE AND 
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SUPPLY

In 2017 Santos delivered on its commitment 
to meet domestic gas demand while also 
honouring our long-term LNG contractual 
obligations. We worked closely with our 
joint-venture partners and industry to 
support the Federal Government in bringing 
more supply into the domestic market 
to help mitigate gas supply concerns. 
Over the course of the year we signed 
agreements to facilitate the delivery of 
more than 140 PJ of gas into the east 
coast domestic market. 

In Eastern Queensland we signed transport 
agreements to unlock significant gas 
reserves that sit outside the GLNG project. 
This allows Santos to meet contractual 
obligations to supply gas to GLNG while 
freeing up Cooper Basin gas for domestic 
east coast markets. We are also using 
our Moomba infrastructure and pipeline 
capacity positions to assist in the delivery 
of gas to the east coast.

Santos will continue to proactively pursue 
transactions that capture value for our 
shareholders and extend our long and 
proud history of delivering competitive 
wholesale gas supply to east coast 
domestic gas market end users.

In February 2017 we lodged the 
Environmental Impact Statement 
(“EIS”) for the Narrabri Gas Project 
and in November announced that the 
project would re-enter the core portfolio. 
The project will be managed under our 
onshore upstream business, where we 
will apply our low cost “drill–complete–
connect” model to improve the commercial 
outlook for the project. We believe that the 
east coast of Australia requires more gas 
and that Narrabri could play a significant 
role in meeting this demand outlook. Any 

significant capital expenditure will only 
occur when the project has the necessary 
approvals in place to facilitate development.

Our natural gas portfolio strategically aligns 
with the global transition to a low-carbon 
economy. Offering both reliability and lower 
emissions, gas is a natural complement to 
renewables that can be quickly turned up 
and down to deal with the intermittency 
of solar and wind. When used for power 
generation, natural gas is also 50% less 
emissions intensive than coal.

Global greenhouse gas emissions are 
around 50 billion tonnes per year, about half 
of which come from Asia. A large portion 
of this is from coal-fired power generation. 
This makes natural gas a clear choice for 
the Asian region. Gas demand in Asia is 
forecast to double by 2040, and Santos is 
well positioned to take advantage of this 
growth.

In 2017 Santos set up an Energy Solutions 
team to actively assess opportunities to 
reduce Santos’ footprint and prepare for 
a lower-carbon future and in early 2018 
we released our inaugural Climate Change 
Report. This report is aligned with the 
recommendations of the G20’s Task Force 
on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures 
(“TCFD”) and is available on our website 
at www.santos.com/sustainability

BOARD RENEWAL

Progressive renewal of the Board continued 
in 2017 as we acknowledged the services 
of Roy Franklin OBE, Greg Martin and 
Scott Sheffield following their retirements 
and welcomed Eugene Shi and Dr Vanessa 
Guthrie. In February 2018, Peter Coates 
stepped down as Chairman and also retired 
from the Board.

We would like to thank Peter and the 
retiring Board members for their valuable 
counsel and guidance. Their support for 
our new senior executive team and three 
phase strategy to Transform, Build and 
Grow the business has set the strong 
foundations required to create long-term 
shareholder value.

LOOKING AHEAD

In 2017 we re-structured the business to 
focus on five, core long-life natural gas 
assets, and embedded our lean, disciplined 
operating model. Through operational 
efficiency we dramatically decreased costs, 
improved free cash flow and reduced debt. 
We also invested in improving our systems 
and governance processes with a focus on 
safety and operational integrity. 

2018 will be an exciting year for Santos. 
We are at an inflection point, poised 
to start our journey to growth. We will 
increase our capital investment across 
our core Australian assets and increase 
exploration and appraisal activities in 
Queensland and the Cooper Basin as 
well as drill more production wells. We will 
continue to work through the approvals 
process on our Narrabri Gas Project in 
New South Wales, with a view to leveraging 
our low-cost operating model to make this 
project a reality. We also expect to start 
Front End Engineering and Design on the 
Barossa offshore gas project which is the 
lead candidate for backfilling the Darwin 
LNG Project. In PNG we will be drilling 
the Muruk 2 appraisal well and potentially 
the Karoma exploration prospect. And 
we will look to the future with our new 
Energy Solutions business for ways to 
develop integrated gas, solar and energy 
storage projects.

We enter 2018 from a position of 
strength and would like to thank you, our 
shareholders, for your continued support.

Yours sincerely

Keith Spence 
Chairman

Kevin Gallagher 
Managing Director  
and Chief Executive Officer

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 5

Board of Directors

KEITH SPENCE

KEVIN GALLAGHER

YASMIN ALLEN

GUY COWAN

BSc (Hons), Engineering,  
FCA (UK) MAICD

Mr Cowan is an independent 
non-executive Director. He joined 
the Board on 10 May 2016 and is 
the Chair of the Audit and Risk 
Committee and a Director of 
Santos Finance Limited.

Mr Cowan had a 23-year career 
with Shell International in various 
senior commercial and financial 
roles. His last two roles were as 
CFO and Director of Shell Oil US 
and CFO of Shell Nigeria. He was 
CFO of Fonterra Co-operative Ltd 
between 2005 and 2009.

Mr Cowan is currently Chairman 
of Queensland Sugar Limited 
(since 2015) and a past Director 
of UGL Limited (2008 to 2017) 
where he chaired the Health and 
Safety Committee. Mr Cowan is 
also a former Director of Coffey 
International (2012 to 2016) 
and Ludowici Limited (2009 to 
2012) where he chaired the Audit 
and Risk Committees for both 
companies. Mr Cowan was also 
a Shell-appointed alternative 
director of Woodside between 
1992 and 1995.

BCom FAICD

Ms Allen is an independent non-
executive Director. She joined 
the Board on 22 October 2014 
and is the Chair of the People 
and Remuneration Committee 
and a member of the Audit and 
Risk Committee and Nomination 
Committee. 

Ms Allen has extensive experience 
in finance and investment banking, 
including senior roles at Deutsche 
Bank AG, ANZ and HSBC Group 
Plc, as former Chairman of 
Macquarie Global Infrastructure 
Funds, and a former Director 
of EFIC (Export, Finance and 
Insurance Corporation). She is a 
Director of Cochlear Limited (since 
2010), chairs its Audit Committee 
and is a member of the Nomination 
and Remuneration Committee. 
Ms Allen is also Director of ASX 
Limited (since 2015), a Director of 
the ASX Clearing and Settlement 
boards and a member of its Audit 
Committee.

Ms Allen is also a Director of the 
National Portrait Gallery and is a 
member of the George Institute 
for Global Health Board. She is 
Chair of Advance, was appointed 
a member of the Australian 
Government Takeovers Panel in 
March 2017 and is a member (and 
former Council member) of Chief 
Executive Women. 

Ms Allen is a former non-executive 
Director of Insurance Australia 
Group Limited (2004 to 2015) and 
a former national Director (2010 to 
2016), and acting Chair (2015 to 
2016), of the Australian Institute 
of Company Directors.

Chairman

BSc (First Class Honours in 
Geophysics), FAIM

Mr Spence is an independent 
non-executive Director. He joined 
the Board on 1 January 2018 and 
became Chairman on 19 February 
2018. He is Chairman of Santos 
Finance Ltd and Chair of the 
Nomination Committee.

Mr Spence has over 40 years’ 
experience in managing and 
governing oil and gas operations in 
Australia, Papua New Guinea, the 
Netherlands and Africa.

A geologist and geophysicist by 
training, Mr Spence commenced 
his career as an exploration 
geologist with Woodside Petroleum 
Limited in 1977. He subsequently 
joined Shell (Development) 
Australia, where he worked for 18 
years. In 1994 he was seconded to 
Woodside to lead the North West 
Shelf Exploration team. In 1998, 
he left Shell to join Woodside. He 
retired from Woodside in 2008 
after a 14-year tenure in top 
executive positions in the company. 
Upon his retirement he took up 
several board positions, including 
Clough Limited, where he served 
as Chairman from 2010 to 2013, 
Geodynamics Limited where he 
served as a non-executive Director 
from 2008 to 2016 (including as 
Chairman from 2010 to 2016) 
and Oil Search Limited, where he 
served as a non-executive Director 
from 2012 to 2017. Mr Spence is 
also a past Chair of the National 
Offshore Petroleum Safety and 
Environmental Management 
Authority Board and led the 
Commonwealth Government’s 
Carbon Storage Taskforce.

Mr Spence is currently Chairman 
of Base Resources Limited (since 
2015) and a non-executive Director 
of Independence Group NL (since 
2014) and Murray and Roberts 
Holdings Limited (since 2015).

6 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Managing Director  
& Chief Executive Officer

BEng (Mechanical) Hons, FIEAust

Kevin joined Santos as Managing 
Director and Chief Executive 
Officer on 1 February 2016, bringing 
more than 25 years’ experience in 
managing oil and gas operations in 
Australia, the USA and North and 
West Africa.

A turnaround specialist with a 
track record in transforming 
underperforming operations, Kevin 
commenced his career as a drilling 
engineer with Mobil North Sea, 
before joining Woodside in 1998. 
During his 13-year tenure with 
Woodside, Kevin led the drilling 
organisation through rapid growth, 
delivering several Australian and 
international development projects 
and exploration campaigns. He also 
led the Australian Oil Business and 
was the CEO of the North West 
Shelf Venture at Woodside, where 
he was responsible for production 
on Australia’s largest resource 
project.

Kevin joined Clough Limited as 
CEO and Managing Director in 
2011, and during his 4-year tenure 
he implemented strategies that 
transformed the business and 
delivered record financial results. 
He oversaw the development of 
innovative programs to improve 
safety and drive productivity 
and also executed an M&A and 
international expansion strategy 
which saw Clough enter five new 
regions including the US, UK, 
Canada, Africa and Asia.

Since joining Santos, Kevin has 
restructured the business, removed 
substantial costs and significantly 
improved production and financial 
performance. He has implemented 
a growth strategy to focus the 
business on five, core long-life 
gas assets and has strengthened 
the balance sheet to provide a 
sustainable business in a low oil 
price environment.

HOCK GOH

DR VANESSA GUTHRIE

PETER HEARL

EUGENE SHI

BEng (Hons) Mech Eng

Hon DSc, PhD, BSc (Hons)

BComm (With Merit), FAICD

MBA in International Business

Mr Shi is a non-executive Director. 
He joined the Board on 26 June 
2017 as a nominee of a substantial 
shareholder. Mr Shi is a member 
of the People and Remuneration 
Committee and the Audit and Risk 
Committee.

Mr Shi has more than 20 years 
of professional experience, 
including five years in management 
consultancy and 15 years in senior 
management roles. His industry 
experience covers energy, health 
care, retail and finance in Europe 
and Asia-Pacific. His specialties 
include capital operation, M&A 
and restructuring, strategy, 
value management, and cost 
optimisation.

Mr Shi is currently the Vice 
President of ENN Ecological 
(since February 2017), and 
General Manager of Investment 
Management Dept ENN Group 
(since 2013). His previous roles 
include Department Head of 
Business Performance Service with 
KPMG China and Transformation 
Service with KPMG Europe.

Mr Goh is an independent non-
executive Director. He joined the 
Board on 22 October 2012 and 
is a member of the Environment, 
Health, Safety and Sustainability 
Committee, Audit and Risk 
Committee and Nomination 
Committee.

Mr Goh has 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. He 
previously held managerial and 
staff positions in Asia, the Middle 
East and Europe.

Mr Goh is Chairman of MEC 
Resources Ltd (since 2006) and of 
Advent Energy Ltd (since 2007). 
He is a non-executive Director of 
Stora Enso Oyj (Finland) (since 
2012), AB SKF (Sweden) (since 
2014), Harbour Energy (US) (since 
2015) and Vesuvius PLC (UK) 
(since 2015).

He was previously a non-executive 
Director of BPH Energy Ltd (2007 
to 2015), an Operating Partner of 
Baird Capital Partners Asia, based 
in China, (2007 to 2012), and a 
non-executive Director of Xaloy 
Holding Inc in the US (2006 to 
2008).

Dr Guthrie is an independent 
non-executive Director. She joined 
the Board on 1 July 2017 and is 
a member of the Environment, 
Health, Safety and Sustainability 
Committee. 

Dr Guthrie has more than 30 years’ 
experience in the resources sector 
in diverse roles such as operations, 
environment, community and 
indigenous affairs, corporate 
development and sustainability. 
She has qualifications in geology, 
environment, law and business 
management including a PhD 
in Geology. She was awarded 
an Honorary Doctor of Science 
from Curtin University in 2017 for 
her contribution to sustainability, 
innovation and policy leadership in 
the resources industry.

Dr Guthrie is the former Managing 
Director and CEO of Toro Energy 
Limited (2013 to 2016) and VP 
Sustainable Development at 
Woodside Energy, and is currently 
Chair of the Minerals Council of 
Australia, Deputy Chair of the 
WACA, a non-executive Director 
of the Australian Broadcasting 
Corporation, Vimy Resources 
Limited (since 2017), and Adelaide 
Brighton Limited (since 2018), 
and a Council member of Curtin 
University.

She is an active member of 
the Australian Institute of 
Company Directors and Chief 
Executive Women, and a Fellow 
of the Australian Academy of 
Technological Sciences and 
Engineering.

Mr Hearl is an independent non-
executive Director. He joined the 
Board on 10 May 2016 and is Chair 
of the Environment, Health, Safety 
and Sustainability Committee 
and a member of the People and 
Remuneration Committee and the 
Nomination Committee.

During an 18-year career in the oil 
industry with Exxon in Australia 
and the USA, he held a variety 
of senior marketing, operations, 
logistics and strategic planning 
positions. Mr Hearl joined YUM 
Brands (formerly PepsiCo) as KFC 
Australia’s Director of Operations in 
1991 and subsequently had several 
senior international leadership 
roles as well as being President of 
Pizza Hut USA, before assuming 
the global role of YUM Brands’ 
Chief Operating and Development 
Officer in 2006, based in Dallas, 
Texas and Louisville, Kentucky.

He is currently a non-executive 
Director of Australia’s largest 
telecommunications company, 
Telstra Ltd (since 2014), and chairs 
its Remuneration Committee. 

Mr Hearl is a former non-executive 
Director of the Australian-
listed global wine company, 
Treasury Wine Estates (2012 
to 2017), where he chaired the 
Remuneration Committee and 
served on the Audit and Risk 
Committee. He was also a non-
executive Director of Goodman 
Fielder Ltd from 2010 until that 
company was sold to overseas 
interests in 2015.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Audit and Risk Committee 

Nomination Committee 

People and Remuneration 
Committee 

Environment, Health, 
Safety and Sustainability 
Committee

Mr G Cowan (Chair) 
Ms Y Allen 
Mr H Goh 
Mr E Shi

Mr K Spence (Chair) 
Ms Y Allen 
Mr H Goh 
Mr P Hearl

Ms Y Allen (Chair) 
Mr P Hearl 
Mr E Shi

Mr P Hearl (Chair) 
Mr K Gallagher 
Mr H Goh 
Dr V Guthrie

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 7

 
 
Santos Executive Committee

KEVIN GALLAGHER

Managing Director  
& Chief Executive Officer

Mr Gallagher’s biography can be 
read on page 6.

PHILIP BYRNE

BRUCE CLEMENT

ANGUS JAFFRAY

NAOMI JAMES

Executive Vice President, 
Conventional Oil & Gas

BSc (Maths and Computer 
Science), BEng (Civil) Hons, MBA

Bruce joined Santos in 2016 and 
is responsible for building and 
growing Santos’ conventional 
assets across Papua New Guinea, 
Northern Australia, Western 
Australia and Asia.

Bruce previously held the role of 
Vice President responsible for 
Santos’ Narrabri Gas Project, 
Asian assets in Indonesia, Vietnam 
and Malaysia, and the company’s 
Western Australian oil assets.

Bruce has more than 35 years’ 
experience in the energy sector, 
having held managerial, financial, 
project management and senior 
technical roles in a number 
of companies, including Esso 
Australia, Ampolex and AIDC.  
Prior to joining Santos, Bruce  
was Managing Director of Roc  
Oil Company from 2008 to 2010 
and Managing Director of AWE 
Limited from 2011 to 2016.

Executive Vice President, 
Strategy & Corporate 
Services

Executive Vice President, 
Environment, Health, Safety 
& Governance

BA (Hons) Geography, MBA

LLB (Hons), MLM

Angus joined Santos in 2016, and 
is responsible for the delivery 
of the organisation’s long-term 
strategic plan while maintaining 
quality corporate support services 
including human resources and 
information systems.

Naomi joined Santos in 2016 and 
is responsible for Santos’ risk and 
audit, legal, company secretary, 
environment and access and 
safety functions, and chairs 
the GLNG Project Operating 
Committee. 

Prior to joining Santos, Naomi 
held a range of functional and 
line leadership roles with Arrium 
including as Chief Executive of 
the Group’s non-integrated steel 
businesses, Chief Legal Officer 
and Chief Executive, Strategy.  
Naomi’s roles with Arrium 
included leading major acquisitions 
and divestments, business 
restructuring and turnaround and 
the legal, company secretary, 
government affairs and strategy 
functions.  Naomi has previously 
worked in private practice at law 
firms in Australia and the UK. 

Angus has over 20 years of 
leadership and consulting 
experience as a Director of Azure 
Consulting, a Partner at The 
Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
and a Supply Chain Manager with 
the global packaging group Crown 
Cork and Seal.

At Azure Consulting Angus 
supported companies in 
developing strategy and driving 
organisational change. At BCG 
Angus set up the Perth office, led 
the Australian Operations practice 
and was a core member of both 
the Mining & Metals practice and 
the Energy Practice. He served 
clients in Australia, New Zealand, 
Asia, Europe and North America 
building strong capabilities in 
strategy, operational efficiency and 
running transformation programs. 
As a Supply Chain Manager, Angus 
was accountable for procurement, 
planning, logistics and product 
delivery.

Executive Vice President, 
Marketing, Trading & 
Commercial

MA (Natural Science), MSc,  
DIC (Petroleum Geology)

Philip joined Santos in 2017 and is 
responsibile for the marketing and 
trading of all of Santos’ gas, LNG 
and liquid hydrocarbon products as 
well as the commercial function.

Philip has over 35 years’ 
experience in the international 
oil and gas industry, starting 
his career as a Petroleum 
Geologist in the North Sea with 
Hamilton Brothers Oil & Gas. He 
subsequently spent 14 years with 
the BG Group in senior commercial 
and exploration leadership roles in 
the UK, Europe, Tunisia and India. 
He spent a further seven years 
with BHP Petroleum including 
General Manager Pakistan, 
President Gas Marketing Asia/
Australia, and Country Manager 
Petroleum Australia. Philip was 
then seconded as President of 
the North West Shelf Australia 
LNG organisation, which is the 
marketing arm of the North  
West Shelf LNG project.

Most recently, Philip was 
Managing Director and Chief 
Executive Officer of Nido 
Petroleum an ASX listed company 
with oil production and exploration 
acreage in the Philippines.

8 / Santos Annual Report 2017

ANTHONY NEILSON

BILL OVENDEN

VINCE SANTOSTEFANO

BRETT WOODS

Chief Financial Officer

B.Com, MBA, FFin, ACA

Anthony joined Santos as Chief 
Financial Officer in 2016, and is 
responsible for the finance, tax, 
treasury and investor relations’ 
functions. He brings over 20 
years’ experience in chartered 
accounting, banking and corporate 
financial roles including 15 years’ 
experience in the upstream and 
downstream oil and gas industry.

Prior to joining Santos, Anthony 
was CEO of Roc Oil Company 
Ltd (ROC), which was acquired in 
2014 by Hong Kong-listed investor 
Fosun International Limited. 
Previously, Anthony was Chief 
Financial Officer of ROC (ASX 
listed) and has held commercial, 
finance and business services roles 
at Caltex Australia, Credit Suisse 
First Boston (London) and Arthur 
Andersen (Sydney).

Anthony holds a Masters of 
Business Administration from 
AGSM and is a Fellow of the 
Financial Services Institute of 
Australasia and a Member of 
Chartered Accountants Australia 
and New Zealand.

Executive Vice President, 
Exploration & New Ventures

Chief Operations Officer, 
Operations Services

Executive Vice President, 
Onshore Upstream Division

BSc (Hons) Geology and 
Geophysics

Bill joined Santos in 2002, and is 
responsible for developing and 
executing a targeted exploration 
and appraisal strategy across 
Santos’ core asset hubs, while 
identifying new high value 
exploration targets.

Bill is a geologist with over  
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, the Middle East 
and South America, with Sun Oil, 
Kufpec, ExxonMobil and Ampolex. 
He joined Santos after working for 
ExxonMobil in Indonesia.

BEng (Civil), SPE

Vince joined Santos in March 
of 2016 and is responsible for 
the provision of technical and 
operational services to increase 
the scale and strategic value of 
Santos’ assets.

Vince retired from Woodside 
Energy in November 2013 as  
Chief Operating Officer. As COO 
he was responsible for Woodside’s 
producing Business Units; the 
Production Function including 
6 LNG trains with associated 
offshore infrastructure, four 
FPSOs; the Marine Division and 
the Brownfields Projects Group. 
During 2014 and 2015, Vince 
was engaged in board work as 
a non-executive director and 
various management-consulting 
assignments. Vince has a deep 
and respected knowledge of 
the industry, with significant 
experience in onshore and offshore 
operations and asset management. 
He has a proven capability to 
manage a demanding workload 
and to drive cultural change.

BSc (Hons) Geology 
and Geophysics

Brett joined Santos in February 
2013 and is responsible for Santos’ 
onshore upstream assets, including 
Cooper Basin, GLNG and Narrabri.

Brett previously held the role 
as Vice President, Eastern 
Australia which included 
leading the turnaround of 
the production, development 
and commercialisation of the 
company’s oil and gas resources 
in Central Australia.  Prior to that 
he led the company’s Perth-based 
Western Australia and Northern 
Territory business unit, which 
participates in Darwin LNG, and 
extensive domestic gas and oil 
operations in Western Australia.  

Brett is a geophysicist and 
geologist, and has over 20 years 
of oil and gas industry experience 
operating assets throughout West 
Africa, Europe, Australia and Asia. 
Previously, Brett was Managing 
Director and Chief Executive 
Officer of Rialto Energy and has 
held executive management, 
technical leadership and business 
development roles with Woodside 
Energy and Sterling Energy PLC. 

He is also a member of the 
APPEA Board.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 9

Reserves Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2017

Proved (“1P”) petroleum reserves were 470 million barrels of oil equivalent (“mmboe”) at the end of 2017. 1P reserves increased by  
44 mmboe before production and the organic 1P reserves replacement ratio was 90%.

Proved plus probable (“2P”) petroleum reserves were 848 mmboe. 2P reserves increased by 19 mmboe before production and the 
organic 2P reserves replacement ratio was 62%.

The key movements in 2P reserves before production in 2017 were:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 17 mmboe increase in Papua New Guinea due to a PNG LNG reserves upgrade.

 7 mmboe increase due to reserves upgrades in Vietnam and Indonesia.

 5 mmboe increase in the Cooper Basin primarily due to positive field development results.

 3 mmboe increase in WA Gas primarily due to a reserves upgrade in the John Brookes field.

 13 mmboe net reduction in other assets primarily due to the sale of Victoria and Mereenie.

After deducting 2017 production of 60 mmboe, 1P and 2P reserves declined by 3% and 5%, respectively. Developed 2P reserves as a 
proportion of total 2P reserves increased to 57% (2016: 51%).

RESERVES (SANTOS SHARE)

Santos share

Proved reserves

Proved plus probable reserves

COOPER BASIN

Unit

mmboe

mmboe

2017

470

848

2016

%change

485

889

(3)

(5)

The Cooper Basin produces natural gas, gas liquids and crude oil. Gas is sold primarily to domestic retailers, industry and for the 
production of liquefied natural gas (“LNG”), while gas liquids and crude oil are sold in domestic and export markets.

Cooper Basin proved plus probable reserves by product (Santos share)

Santos share

Sales gas

Crude oil

Condensate

LPG

Total

Unit

PJ

mmbbl

mmbbl

000 tonnes

mmboe

2017

621

18

9

1,207

144

2016

672

18

10

1,288

154

%change

(8)

(0)

(4)

(6)

(6)

Proved plus probable reserves increased by 5 mmboe before 2017 production primarily due to positive field results and new oil and gas 
development opportunities.

The significant efficiencies and cost reductions already realised in onshore drill, complete and connect activities, combined with a 
renewed commitment to exploration and appraisal, are expected to result in reserve additions over time.

10 / Santos Annual Report 2017

 
QUEENSLAND

In Queensland, Santos has a 30% interest in the GLNG project and various interests in other non-operated fields. GLNG produces LNG 
for export to global markets from the LNG plant at Gladstone. Gas is also sold into domestic markets.

Queensland proved plus probable reserves by product (Santos share)

Santos share

Sales gas – GLNG JV

Sales gas – other non-operated

Total

Unit

PJ

PJ

mmboe

2017

1,536

387

331

2016

1,577

403

341

%change

(3)

(4)

(3)

Proved plus probable reserves increased by 2 mmboe before 2017 production. Santos share Queensland reserves include Santos’ share 
of the non-operated Combabula, Ramyard and Spring Gully fields.

GLNG reserves (GLNG 100% share)

GLNG 100% share

Proved reserves

Proved plus probable reserves

Unit

PJ

PJ

2017

2,390

5,119

2016

2,486

5,256

%change

(4)

(3)

GLNG share proved plus probable reserves were maintained before 2017 production. In addition to the reserves in the table above, 
GLNG has Santos portfolio and third party gas supply agreements in place for periods of up to 20 years.

Santos is committed to ongoing appraisal and operational efficiencies to potentially mature resources to reserves and develop for 
additional gas supply to the project.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Santos’ business in Papua New Guinea (“PNG”) is centred on the PNG LNG Project. Completed in 2014, PNG LNG produces LNG for 
export to global markets, as well as gas and gas liquids. Santos has a 13.5% interest in PNG LNG.

Papua New Guinea proved plus probable reserves by product (Santos share)

Santos share

Sales gas

Condensate

Total

Unit

PJ

mmbbl

mmboe

2017

1,234

15

227

2016

1,215

14

222

%change

2

11

2

Proved plus probable reserves increased by 17 mmboe before 2017 production. Continued strong Hides field performance, including a 
revised condensate forecast, and improved LNG plant performance contributed to the increase.

PNG LNG underpins the majority of Santos’ reserves and resources in Papua New Guinea. As a foundation partner of the PNG  LNG 
project, Santos’ equity provides a strong position off which to leverage growth opportunities, including LNG backfill and expansion.

Santos also has an extensive exploration position throughout Papua New Guinea and holds interests in several licences across the Papua 
New Guinea Fold Belt, Gulf of Papua and Papua New Guinea Forelands, which contain large-scale discoveries and propectivity that 
could provide future backfill, expansion or standalone development opportunities.

• 

• 

• 

 PPL-402 (Santos 20%, subject to future government back-in) contains the recent Muruk gas discovery. The Muruk gas field is 
located in close proximity to the Hides gas field and PNG  LNG network infrastructure, potentially providing a simplified development 
pathway and access to export LNG markets via backfill or expansion of the PNG  LNG project. A seismic acquisition program to 
assist in delineating the Muruk gas discovery and the adjacent Karoma prospect is planned for the first half of 2018, with an appraisal 
well on Muruk expected to be spudded in the second quarter.

 PRL-38 (Santos 10%, subject to future government back-in) is located offshore in the Gulf of Papua and contains the Pandora A 
and B gas fields.  The Joint Venture intends to drill a well in PRL-38 in 2018–19 to test near-field exploration opportunities or appraise 
discovered resources. The Joint Venture is continuing to assess the technical and commercial viability of various potential 
development options.

 PRL-9 (Santos 40%, subject to future government back-in) contains the Barikewa gas discovery. The Joint Venture intends to drill 
an appraisal well during 2018 to appraise the discovered resources. The Barikewa gas field is located in close proximity to the PNG  
LNG network infrastructure and the Joint Venture is continuing to assess the technical and commercial viability of various 
development options.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 11

Reserves Statement
continued

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

In Northern Australia, Santos has an 11.5% interest in the Bayu-Undan/Darwin LNG Project, which produces LNG and gas liquids for 
export to global markets.

Northern Australia proved plus probable reserves by product (Santos share)

Santos share

Sales gas

Condensate

LPG

Total

Unit

PJ

mmbbl

000 tonnes

mmboe

2017

2016

%change

65

2

94

14

72

2

141

15

(9)

(21)

(33)

(12)

Proved plus probable reserves increased by 2 mmboe before 2017 production primarily due to the sanction of the next phase of Bayu-
Undan infill well development.

Santos has a strong infrastructure and discovered resource position across Northern Australia, with multi-tcf scale discoveries across 
the Browse and Bonaparte Basins, in close proximity to Darwin LNG and other LNG projects under construction in the region.  

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Bayu-Undan (Santos 11.5%) is the current gas supply source to Darwin LNG (“DLNG”). Reserves are being extended through the 
drilling of infill wells, with first gas targeted for late 2018.

 Barossa Caldita (Santos 25%) is a multi-tcf discovery being positioned to backfill DLNG. Successful appraisal drilling in 2017 
resulted in a significant resource upgrade. A FEED-entry decision is targeted for the first half of 2018.

 Petrel-Tern and Frigate (Santos 35% and 40% respectively) are well appraised assets located approximately 300 kilometres from 
Darwin. Potential commercialisation options are being evaluated with opportunity to target LNG, NT domestic and east coast 
markets.

 Crown and Lasseter (Santos 30%) have material resources with further prospectivity and are located near large LNG projects 
under construction. Concept evaluation to support standalone and joint development options are being considered.

WA GAS

Santos is one of the largest producers of domestic natural gas in Western Australia and is also a significant producer of gas liquids.

WA Gas proved plus probable reserves by product (Santos share)

Santos share

Sales gas

Condensate

Total

Unit

PJ

mmbbl

mmboe

2017

608

6

111

2016

%change

641

7

117

(5)

(5)

(5)

Proved plus probable reserves increased by 3 mmboe before 2017 production, primarily due to a reserves upgrade at John Brookes.

Santos has an established position in the Carnarvon Basin which underpins the Western Australia domestic gas business. The Varanus 
Island and Devil Creek domestic gas infrastructure is supplied by John Brookes, Spar, Halyard and Reindeer, and a discovered and 
prospective resource base that supports backfill of these facilities in the longer term.

12 / Santos Annual Report 2017

PROVED RESERVES

Year-end 2017 (Santos share)

Asset

Cooper Basin

Queensland1

PNG

Northern Australia

WA Gas

Other Assets2

Total 1P

Sales gas  
PJ

Crude oil 
mmbbl

Condensate 
mmbbl

LPG  
000 tonnes

All products  
mmboe

Developed Undeveloped

Total

291

859

891

53

369

28

2,491

8

-

0

-

-

10

18

4

-

11

1

4

0

20

519

-

-

58

-

-

577

47

110

110

9

61

14

19

38

53

2

6

1

349

120

66

148

163

11

67

15

470

32%

Proportion of total proved reserves that are unconventional

1  Queensland proved sales gas reserves include 717 PJ GLNG and 142 PJ other Santos non-operated Eastern Queensland assets.

2 

Indonesia, Vietnam and Western Australia oil.

PROVED RESERVES RECONCILIATION

Product

Sales gas

Crude oil

Condensate

LPG

Total 1P 

Unit

PJ

mmbbl

mmbbl

000 tonnes

mmboe

Reserves  
Year-end  
2016

2,590

17

19

638

485

Revisions  
and  

Production

extensions Discoveries

Net  
acquisitions  
and 
divestments

(284)

(6)

(3)

(145)

(60)

237

8

4

81

53

2

-

0

3

0

(54)

(0)

(0)

-

(10)

Reserves  
Year-end  
2017

2,491

18

20

577

470

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 13

 
Reserves Statement
continued

PROVED PLUS PROBABLE RESERVES

Year-end 2017 (Santos share)

Asset

Cooper Basin

Queensland1

PNG

Northern Australia

WA Gas

Other Assets2

Total 2P

Sales gas  
PJ

Crude oil  
mmbbl

Condensate  
mmbbl

LPG  
000 tonnes

All products  
mmboe

Developed        Undeveloped        

Total

621

1,922

1,234

65

608

45

4,496

18

-

0

-

-

15

33

9

-

15

2

6

0

33

1,207

-

-

94

-

-

1,301

100

110

152

10

89

21

483

44

221

75

3

21

2

366

144

331

227

14

111

23

848

39%

Proportion of total proved plus probable reserves that are unconventional

1  Queensland proved plus probable sales gas reserves include 1,536 PJ GLNG and 387 PJ other Santos non-operated Eastern Queensland assets.

2 

Indonesia, Vietnam and Western Australia oil.

PROVED PLUS PROBABLE RESERVES RECONCILIATION

Product

Sales gas

Crude oil

Condensate

LPG

Total 2P 

Unit

PJ

mmbbl

mmbbl

000 tonnes

mmboe

Reserves  
Year-end  
2016

4,730

33

33

1,429

889

Revisions  
and  

Production

extensions Discoveries

Net  
acquisitions  
and  
divestments

Reserves  
Year-end  
2017

(284)

(6)

(3)

(145)

(60)

147 

7

4

9

36

4

-

0

8

1

(101)

(1)

(0)

-

(18)

4,496

33

33

1,301

848

14 / Santos Annual Report 2017

 
Notes

1.  This reserves statement:

a. 

b. 

c. 

 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

 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

 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.

10.  Petroleum reserves and contingent resources are 

typically prepared by deterministic methods with support 
from probabilistic methods. 

11.  Any material concentrations of undeveloped petroleum 

reserves that have remained undeveloped for more than 
5 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.

12.  Petroleum reserves replacement ratio is the ratio of the 
change in petroleum reserves (excluding production) 
divided by production. Organic reserves replacement 
ratio excludes net acquisitions and divestments.

13. 

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 “-“.

2.  The estimates of petroleum reserves and contingent 

14.  Qualified Petroleum Reserves and Resources Evaluators 

resources contained in this reserves statement are as at 
31 December 2017.

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”).

Name

B Pribyl

Employer

Santos Ltd

S Chipperfield

Santos Ltd

Professional 
organisation

SPE

SPE

4.  This reserves statement is subject to risk factors 

associated with the oil and gas industry. It is believed that 
the expectations of petroleum reserves and contingent 
resources reflected in this statement are reasonable, but 
they may be affected by a range of variables which could 
cause actual results or trends to differ materially, 
including but not limited to: price fluctuations, actual 
demand, currency fluctuations, geotechnical factors, 
drilling and production results, gas commercialisation, 
development progress, operating results, engineering 
estimates, loss of market, industry competition, 
environmental risks, physical risks, legislative, fiscal and 
regulatory developments, economic and financial markets 
conditions in various countries, approvals and cost 
estimates.

5.  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.

6.  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 its respective audit and 
evaluation, and its understanding of the estimation 
processes employed by Santos, that Santos’ 31 
December 2017 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 2017. 

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

8.  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.  

9.  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.

B Camac

E Klettke

N Pink

S Lawton

J Telford

Santos Ltd

SPE, PESA 

Santos Ltd

SPE, APEGA

Santos Ltd

Santos Ltd

Santos Ltd

SPE

SPE

SPE

SPE

A Wisnugroho

Santos Ltd

C Harwood

Santos Ltd

PESA, AAPG

I Pedler

D Smith

Santos Ltd

NSAI

SPE

SPE

SPE: Society of Petroleum Engineers

APEGA: The Association of Professional Engineers and 
Geoscientists of Alberta

PESA: Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia

AAPG: American Association of Petroleum Geologists

Abbreviations and conversion factors

Abbreviations

1P

2P

GJ

LNG

LPG

mmbbl

mmboe

NGLs

PJ

tcf

TJ

proved reserves

proved plus probable reserves

gigajoules

liquefied natural gas

liquefied petroleum gas

million barrels

million barrels of oil equivalent

natural gas liquids

petajoules

trillion cubic feet

terajoules

Conversion factors

Sales gas and ethane, 1 PJ

171,937 boe

Crude oil, 1 barrel

Condensate, 1 barrel

LPG, 1 tonne

1 boe

0.935 boe

8.458 boe

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 15

 
 
 
Directors’ Report

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 2017, 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 as set out below: 

Surname

Allen

Cowan

Gallagher

Goh

Guthrie

Hearl

Shi

Spence

Other Names

Yasmin Anita

Guy Michael

Kevin Thomas

Hock

Vanessa Ann

Peter Roland

Eugene

Keith William (Chairman)

Shareholdings in Santos Limited

15,883

15,000

341,614

37,215

0

48,808

0

65,000

The above-named Directors held office during and/or since the end of the financial year. Mr Scott Sheffield was a Director until his 
retirement at the Annual General Meeting on 4 May 2017. Mr Gregory Martin retired as a Director on 25 August 2017. Mr Roy Franklin 
retired as a Director on 30 September 2017. Mr Eugene Shi was appointed as a Director on 26 June 2017. Dr Vanessa Guthrie was 
appointed as a Director on 1 July 2017. Mr Keith Spence was appointed as a Director on 1 January 2018, and as Chairman on 19 February 
2018. Mr Peter Coates was a Director and Chairman until his retirement on 19 February 2018. 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 Gallagher holds 1,739,872 share acquisition rights (SARs) and 111,038 Restricted Deferred Shares. No other 
Director holds options or SARs.

Details of the qualifications, experience and special responsibilities of each Director are set out in the Directors’ biographies on pages  
6 and 7 of this Annual Report. This information includes details of other listed company directorships held during the last three years.

16 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ ReportDirectors’ Report 
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

Directors’ Meeting

Audit & Risk 
Committee

Environment 
Health, Safety 
& Sustainability 
Committee

People & 
Remuneration 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Attended/Held1

Attended/Held1

Attended/Held1

Attended/Held1

Attended/Held1

Yasmin A.

Peter R. 

Guy M.

Roy A.

Kevin T.

Hock

Vanessa A.

Peter R.

Gregory J. W.

Scott D.

Eugene

14 of 15

15 of 15

14 of 15

10 of 11

15 of 15

11 of 15

9 of 9

13 of 15

10 of 10

4 of 5 

9 of 10 

1 of 1

n/a

4 of 4

n/a

n/a

3 of 4

n/a

3 of 3

3 of 3

n/a

1 of 1

3 of 3

n/a

n/a

3 of 3

4 of 4

3 of 4

1 of 1

1 of 1

n/a

n/a

n/a

4 of 4

n/a

n/a

2 of 2

n/a

n/a

n/a

2 of 2

2 of 2

n/a

2 of 2

1 of 1

3 of 3

n/a

2 of 2

n/a

n/a5

n/a

1 of 1

2 of 2

n/a

n/a

Director

Allen2

Coates

Cowan

Franklin3

Gallagher

Goh4

Guthrie6

Hearl7

Martin8

Sheffield9

Shi10

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  Ms YA Allen was appointed as the Chair of the People and Remuneration Committee and a member of the Nomination Committee on 21 September 2017.  Ms YA Allen retired as a member 

of the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee and was appointed as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee on 25 October 2017. 

3  Mr RA Franklin retired as a Director on 30 September 2017.

4 

In November 2017, Mr H Goh commenced a leave of absence due to a conflict of interest arising from his position as a Director of Harbour Energy.

5  Mr H Goh was appointed as a member of the Nomination Committee on 25 October 2017.

6 

 Dr VA Guthrie was appointed as a Director on 1 July 2017 and as a member of the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee on 25 October 2017.

7  Mr PR Hearl was appointed as a member of the Nomination Committee on 21 September 2017 and as Chairman of the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee on 25 

October 2017. Mr PA Hearl retired as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee on 25 October 2017. 

8  Mr GJW Martin retired as a Director on 25 August 2017.

9  Mr SD Sheffield retired as a Director on 4 May 2017.

10  Mr E Shi was appointed as a Director on 26 June 2017, was appointed as a member of the People and Remuneration Committee on 21 September 2017 and as a member of the Audit and 

Risk Committee on 25 October 2017. 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 17

Directors’ Report
continued

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

Santos’ principal activities during 2017 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

  Change in future restoration assumptions

  EBIT1 

  Net finance costs

  Taxation benefit

  Net loss for the period and attributable to equity holders of Santos

  Underlying profit for the period1

  Underlying earnings per share (cents)1

2017 
mmboe

59.5

83.4

2016 
mmboe

Variance 
%

61.6

84.1

US$million

US$million

3,107

1,428

(94)

(742)

(938)

31

(315)

(270)

225

(360)

336

16.2

2,594

1,199

(138)

(741)

(1,561)

37

(1,204)

(281)

438

(1,047)

63

3.5

(3)

(1)

20

19

32

–

40

(16)

74

4

(49)

66

433

363

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 22 for the reconciliation from net loss to underlying profit for the period. Underlying earnings per share represents underlying profit for the period divided by the weighted 
average number of shares on issue during the year. The non-IFRS financial information is unaudited however the numbers have been extracted from the audited financial statements.

Sales volume 
mmboe

Product sales revenue 
US$million

Production volume 
mmboe

83.4

84.1

3,483

3,641

63.7

64.3

58.5

2,442 2,594

3,107
3,107

59.5

61.6

57.7

54.1

51

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Sales volumes of 83.4 million barrels of oil 
equivalent (mmboe) were 1% lower than the 
previous year. Higher LNG sales volumes 
due to the ramp-up of GLNG, ongoing 
strong production from PNG LNG, and 
higher domestic gas sales in WA, were offset 
by asset sales and lower Cooper Basin sales 
volumes, slightly reducing sales volumes 
compared to the prior year.

18 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Sales revenue increased 20% compared to 
the previous year to $3.1 billion, primarily 
due to higher oil and LNG prices, and higher 
LNG sales volumes. The average realised oil 
price increased 25% to US$57.85/bbl and 
the average realised LNG price increased 
21% to US$7.31/mmBtu.

Production was 3% lower than the 
previous year primarily due to the sale of 
the Victorian, Mereenie and Stag assets, 
partially offset by the ramp-up of GLNG 
and higher PNG LNG production.

Directors’ ReportDirectors’ ReportReview of operations

Santos’ operations are focused on five core, long-life natural gas assets: Cooper Basin, Queensland, Papua New Guinea, Northern 
Australia and Western Australia Gas. Other assets are run separately for value as a standalone business.

Cooper Basin

The Cooper Basin produces natural gas, gas liquids and crude oil. Gas is sold primarily to domestic retailers, industry and for the 
production of liquefied natural gas, while gas liquids and crude oil are sold in domestic and export markets.

Santos’ strategy in the Cooper Basin is to deliver a low-cost, cash flow positive business by building production, investing in new 
technology to lower development and exploration costs, and increasing utilisation of infrastructure including the Moomba plant.

Cooper Basin

Production (mmboe)

Sales volume (mmboe)

Revenue (US$m) 

Production cost (US$/boe)

EBITDAX (US$m) 

Capex (US$m)

2017

14.4

21.0

833

9.32

328

199

2016

15.1

23.5

768

10.71

258

173

Cooper Basin EBITDAX was $328 million, 27% higher than 2016 primarily due to higher sales revenue impacted by higher oil prices, in 
addition to lower production costs resulting from cost-saving initiatives.

Santos’ share of Cooper Basin sales gas and ethane production of 58.4 petajoules (PJ) was 5% lower than the corresponding period 
(61.2 PJ) as new development activity predominantly offset the impact of natural field decline.

At June 2017, Santos recognised an impairment write-back of $336 million after tax. The impacts of lower US$ oil price assumptions 
were more than offset by a continuation of the cost efficiencies and performance improvement achieved during 2016, allowing increased 
drilling activity and production.

Queensland

GLNG produces liquefied natural gas (LNG) for export to global markets from the LNG plant at Gladstone. Gas is also sold into the 
domestic market. Santos has a 30% interest in GLNG.

The LNG plant has two LNG trains with a combined nameplate capacity of 7.8 mtpa. Production from Train 1 commenced in September 
2015 and Train 2 in May 2016. Feed gas is sourced from GLNG’s upstream fields, Santos portfolio gas and third-party suppliers.

The LNG plant produced 5.2 million tonnes of LNG in 2017 and shipped 89 cargoes.

Santos aims to build GLNG gas supply through upstream development, seek opportunities to extract value from existing infrastructure 
and drive efficiencies to operate at lowest cost.

Queensland

Production (mmboe)

Sales volume (mmboe)

Revenue (US$m) 

Production cost (US$/boe)

EBITDAX (US$m) 

Capex (US$m)

2017

11.5

22.7

764

5.92

329

178

2016

9.5

19.2

540

6.44

191

228

GLNG EBITDAX of $329 million increased 72% compared to 2016. This was a result of higher sales revenue reflecting the ramp-up of 
upstream production and higher LNG prices and lower costs. 

At June 2017, Santos recognised an impairment charge against the carrying value for GLNG of $867 million after tax. The impairment 
was primarily due to lower forecast US$ oil prices.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 19

Directors’ Report
continued

Papua New Guinea

Santos’ business in Papua New Guinea is centred on the PNG LNG project. Completed in 2014, PNG LNG produces LNG for export to 
global markets, as well as sales gas and gas liquids. Santos has a 13.5% interest in PNG LNG.

The LNG plant near Port Moresby has two LNG trains with the combined capacity to produce more than eight million tonnes per 
annum. Production from both trains commenced in 2014 and operated at record rates in 2017, producing 8.3 million tonnes of LNG and 
shipping 110 cargoes. Condensate production was 10.9 million barrels.

Santos’ strategy in Papua New Guinea is to work with its partners to align interests, and support and participate in backfill and expansion 
opportunities at PNG LNG.

During 2017, Santos and its partners announced a potentially significant new gas discovery at Muruk, located 21 kilometres from the 
existing PNG LNG production facilities at Hides. Data from the Muruk drilling program is being evaluated to inform forward appraisal 
options. Well site preparations are underway ahead of a planned Muruk appraisal program in 2018.

PNG

Production (mmboe)

Sales volume (mmboe)

Revenue (US$m) 

Production cost (US$/boe)

EBITDAX (US$m) 

Capex (US$m)

2017

12.6

12.0

532

4.37

430

18

2016

12.2

11.8

444

4.59

350

8

Papua New Guinea EBITDAX of $430 million increased 23% compared to 2016, mainly due to higher LNG prices.

Northern Australia

Santos’ business in Northern Australia is focused on the Bayu-Undan/Darwin LNG (DLNG) project. In operation since 2006, DLNG 
produces LNG and gas liquids for export to global markets. Santos has an 11.5% interest in DLNG.

The LNG plant near Darwin has a single LNG train with a nameplate capacity of 3.7 mtpa. The plant produced 3.3 million tonnes of LNG 
in 2017 and shipped 51 cargoes. Condensate production was three million barrels.

Santos’ strategy in Northern Australia is to support plans to progress Darwin LNG backfill, expand the company’s acreage footprint and 
appraise the onshore McArthur Basin.

During 2017, a two-well appraisal drilling campaign in the Barossa field (Santos 25%) was successfully completed. Positive results from 
the campaign, including a successful production test of Barossa-6, strengthened the field’s position as lead candidate to supply backfill 
gas to Darwin LNG. 

Northern Australia

Production (mmboe)

Sales volume (mmboe)

Revenue (US$m) 

Production cost (US$/boe)

EBITDAX (US$m) 

Capex (US$m)

Northern Australia EBITDAX of $87 million was 1% higher than 2016.

2017

4.0

4.0

153

18.95

87

55

2016

4.2

4.2

145

17.58

86

14

20 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ ReportDirectors’ ReportWestern Australia Gas

Santos is one of the largest producers of domestic natural gas in Western Australia and is also a significant producer of gas liquids.

Santos’ position in two WA domestic gas hubs (Varanus Island and Devil Creek) provides opportunities to meet short-term and  
long-term domestic gas demand in the state.

Santos’ focus in WA is to grow production and market share in the WA domestic gas market.

WA Gas

Production (mmboe)

Sales volume (mmboe)

Revenue (US$m) 

Production cost (US$/boe)

EBITDAX (US$m) 

Capex (US$m)

2017

9.2

9.4

262

5.82

201

37

2016

8.9

8.8

184

5.11

206

24

WA Gas EBITDAX of $201 million was 2% lower than 2016. 

Santos’ share of Western Australia gas and condensate production was 51.2PJ and 0.5 mmbbl respectively. 

Other assets – Asia, NSW and WA Oil

Santos’ other assets have been packaged and run separately as a standalone business. These assets include Santos interests in 
Indonesia, Vietnam, New South Wales and Western Australia oil. The portfolio will be continually optimised to drive efficiency and 
shareholder value. Effective 1 January 2018, the Narrabri asset in New South Wales will be managed as part of the core asset portfolio.

Consistent with optimising the portfolio to maximise value, Santos sold its Victorian assets and Mereenie (Northern Territory) effective 
1 January 2017.

Other assets

Production (mmboe)

Sales volume (mmboe)

Revenue (US$m) 

Production cost (US$/boe)

EBITDAX (US$m) 

Capex (US$m)

2017

7.7

7.7

346

15.91

223

81

2016

11.8

11.7

411

14.06

246

84

Other assets EBITDAX of $223 million was 9% lower than 2016. 

Total production and sales volumes from Other assets were lower than the previous year primarily due to the sale of the Victorian, 
Mereenie and Stag assets.

During 2017, Santos recognised an impairment charge of $149 million after tax on the non-core Ande Ande Lumut asset in Indonesia, 
following an assessment of the impact of lower oil prices.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 21

Directors’ Report
continued

Net loss

The 2017 net loss attributable to equity holders of Santos Limited of $360 million is $687 million lower than the net loss of $1,047 
million in 2016. This decrease is primarily due to lower impairment losses of $703 million after tax ($1,101 million in 2016) and higher sales 
revenue as a result of favourable product prices and LNG volumes.

Net loss includes items before tax of $1,048 million ($696 million after tax), as referred to in the reconciliation of net loss to underlying 
profit below. Underlying profit was $336 million, $273 million higher than 2016.

Reconciliation of net loss to underlying profit1

2017  
US$million

2016  
US$million

Gross

Tax

Net

Gross

Tax

Net

Net loss after tax attributable to equity holders  

of Santos Limited 

Add/(deduct) the following:

Net gains on sales of non-current assets

Impairment losses

Change in future restoration assumptions

Foreign exchange (gains)/ losses

Fair value adjustments on embedded derivatives  

and hedges

Remediation (income)/costs for incidents net  

of related insurance recoveries

Fair value adjustments on commodity hedges

Other expense items2

Tax impact of foreign exchange on deferred tax assets 

Other one-off tax adjustments

Underlying profit1 

(79)

938

(31)

153

(14)

–

63

18

–

–

1,048

20

(235)

9

(16)

4

–

(19)

(3)

(100)

(12)

(352)

(360)

(59)

703

(22)

137

(25)

1,561

(37)

(34)

(10)

39

(10)

15

63

–

–

–

44

15

(100)

(12)

696

336

8

(460)

10

6

(11)

–

(5)

(18)

15

(7)

(1,047)

(17)

1,101

(27)

(28)

28

(10)

10

45

15

(7)

1,110

63

1,572

(462)

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. 

2  Other expense items in 2017 relate to a dispute settlement payment, restructure costs including redundancy payments and a provision for a doubtful debtor; offset by onerous contract 

provision movement for unutilised transport capacity.

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 assets/(liabilities)3

Net assets/equity

2017 
US$million

2016 
US$million

Variance 
US$million

459

9,662

(1,528)

120

8,713

495

10,533

(1,468)

167

9,727

(2,731)

(3,492)

1,169

7,151

845

7,080

(36)

(871)

(60)

(47)

(1,014)

761

324

71

1  Other net assets/(liabilities) comprises 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 assets/(liabilities) comprises deferred tax assets and tax receivable, offset by deferred tax liabilities and current tax payable. 

22 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment of assets

During the Company’s regular review of asset carrying values, Santos undertook an impairment review as part of the preparation of its 
2017 full-year accounts.

At 31 December 2017, non-cash after-tax impairment losses of $14 million were recognised in addition to the non-cash after-tax 
impairment of $689 million recognised at 30 June 2017. The total after-tax impairment losses of $703 million for the year primarily relate 
to the 30 June 2017 impairment of GLNG.

Exploration and evaluation assets 

Exploration and evaluation assets were $459 million compared to $495 million at the end of 2016, a decrease of $36 million, mainly due 
to impairment losses before tax of $163 million, exploration and evaluation expenses of $17 million; offset by 2017 capital expenditure, 
including drilling in Papua New Guinea, Cooper Basin and Barossa Caldita, along with evaluation studies, in addition to acquisition costs 
comprising interests in Muruk and Western Farm-in. 

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

Oil and gas assets and other land and buildings, plant and equipment of $9,662 million were $871 million lower than in 2016 mainly due to 
impairment losses before tax of $770 million and depreciation and depletion charges, offset by 2017 capital expenditure, including GLNG, 
WA Gas and the Cooper Basin. 

Restoration provision

Restoration provision balances have increased by $60 million to $1,528 million mainly due to revised restoration cost estimates and 
unfavorable exchange differences.

Net debt

Net debt of $2,731 million was $761 million lower than at the end of 2016 primarily as a result of free cash flow before asset acquisitions 
and divestments of $618 million and proceeds from asset sales of $145 million. 

Net tax assets/(liabilities)

Net tax assets of $1,169 million have increased by $324 million primarily as a result of higher carry-forward tax losses recognised by the 
group.

Net assets/equity

Total equity increased by $71 million to $7,151 million at year end. The increase primarily reflects the increase in issued capital of $151 
million and movements in the translation reserve of $301 million, partially offset by the net loss after tax attributable to owners of Santos 
of $360 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 the reporting date, finance lease liabilities for a purpose-built LNG carrier and tug boats were recorded on the 
balance sheet. 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.

Oil price hedging

The objectives of Santos’ oil price hedging policy are to reduce the effect of commodity price volatility and support annual capital 
expenditure plans. The Company will continue to monitor commodity market conditions and will enter hedging transactions as 
appropriate.

As at 31 December 2017, the Company had hedged 12.5 million barrels of oil in 2018 using zero-cost three-way collars. Under the collars, 
where the Brent oil price is above $60.30, Santos receives $60.30. Where the Brent oil price is between $48.48 and $60.30, Santos 
receives the actual Brent price. Where the Brent oil price is between $40.80 and $48.48, Santos receives $48.48, and where the Brent 
oil price is below $40.80, Santos receives the actual Brent price plus $7.68.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 23

Directors’ Report
continued

Business strategy and prospects for future financial years 

Business strategy

In December 2016, the Company announced a new strategy to transform Santos into a low-cost, reliable and high-performance 
business. It is a disciplined, focused strategy to drive shareholder value which sees five core, long-life natural gas assets at the heart 
of the Company’s operations, each with significant upside potential. The remaining non-core assets have been packaged and run 
separately to maximise value. This will ensure a simplified, focused organisation.

The Company’s strategy has three phases:

Transform

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Focus on five core, long-life natural gas assets: Cooper Basin, Queensland, Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia and WA Gas;

 Implement disciplined, low-cost operating model to maximise cash flows. The core asset portfolio must be free cash flow 
positive at oil prices less than $40 per barrel and each core asset must be free cash flow positive at less than $40 per barrel, 
pre-major growth spend;

 Maximise production, drive down costs and increase gas supply; and

 Implement effective governance and risk management framework to enable new operating model.

Build

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Identify and develop growth opportunities across the five core long-life natural gas assets;

 Develop the lowest cost onshore drill–complete–connect business;

 Establish facilities and infrastructure operations strategic capability; and

 Maximise margins through Marketing and Trading business.

Grow

• 

• 

• 

 Execute and bring on-line growth opportunities across the core portfolio;

 Focused exploration strategy to identify new high-value targets and unlock future core assets; and

 Generate new revenue through low-carbon Energy Solutions projects.

Significant progress was made in 2017 in the Transform and Build phases of the strategy, including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Free cash flow breakeven point reduced to $32 per barrel. The Company generated $618 million in free cash flow before asset 
sales in 2017;

 Net debt reduced by 22% to $2.7 billion with gearing of 27%; 

 Upstream unit production costs reduced by 4% to $8.07 per barrel of oil equivalent;

 Significant reductions in Cooper Basin and GLNG average well costs;

 Barossa two-well appraisal campaign supports a significant increase in the resource base and strengthens Barossa as the lead 
candidate for Darwin LNG backfill;

 Strengthened Papua New Guinea partner alignment through Santos farm-ins to prospective acreage;

 Executed agreements to evacuate uncontracted Eastern Queensland gas volumes; and

 The announcment that the Narrabri Gas Project in NSW would re-enter the Company’s core asset portfolio.

24 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Report 
 
 
 
Prospects for future financial years

Santos enters 2018 with a clear strategy and a solid platform for growth. The business turnaround will continue as the Company focuses 
the organisation to support the five core assets. This singular focus will enable Santos to become a leaner, lower cost and higher 
performing business with significant upside opportunities across the portfolio. The Company will also begin to increase focus on the 
Build and Grow phases of its new strategy.

The Company is well placed to withstand any extended period of low oil prices, with $1.2 billion in cash as at 31 December 2017 and no 
material debt maturities until 2019. Santos will continue to focus on reducing costs and building on the significant improvements made in 
2017 to operating efficiency.

Santos expects 2018 sales volumes to be in the range of 72–78 mmboe and production to be in the range of 55–60 mmboe. Capital 
expenditure is expected to be in the range of $825 to $875 million.

Santos remains confident in the long-term underlying demand for energy on the back of Asian economic growth, the rising global 
population and rapid urbanisation in developing economies. Large cuts in capital expenditure by oil and gas companies are expected to 
lead to falling production and a recalibration of oil prices to higher levels. However, the Company will continue to focus on resetting the 
cost base in order to operate profitably and sustainably in periods of low oil prices, and is confident that the measures taken will drive 
returns for shareholders.

Material business risks

The achievement of Santos’ purpose and vision, 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. It is not an exhaustive list of all risks that 
may affect the Company, nor have they been listed in any particular order of importance.

Strategic risks

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-term and long-term contracts. The majority of oil and gas produced (or to be produced) in Santos’ portfolio has been sold under 
sales contracts where the sale price is linked to the global price of oil. Lower global oil prices will therefore reduce Santos’ revenues and 
the profitability of its operations. 

Global oil prices are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control and have fluctuated widely historically. Santos’ 
three-tiered strategy, operating model and Hedging Policy introduced in 2016 directly address oil price risk with a clear focus on cash 
flow management, operational and cost efficiencies, production growth opportunities and debt reduction, to build resilience to oil price 
fluctuations. 

Oil and gas reserves development

Calculations 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. A failure to successfully develop existing reserves may impact Santos’ ability to fully supply LNG, gas or oil under customer 
contracts.

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

Santos applies an integrated management system across all aspects of business performance, including reserves estimation and delivery. 
Progress against key reserves metrics is routinely reviewed by senior management and the Board and reserves estimates are published 
annually.

Exploration and reserves replacement

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, from either exploration or acquisition. Exploration is a high-risk endeavour subject to geological and 
technological uncertainties and the failure to replace utilised reserves is a risk inherent in the oil and gas exploration and production 
industry.

Santos employs an established exploration prospect evaluation methodology and risking process, consistent with industry standards, 
to manage the risks associated with exploration. Business Development processes identify, review and progress opportunities to build 
reserves through acquisition in support of the Company’s strategy and objectives.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 25

Demand and market

The demand for oil, gas, LNG and other products Santos markets may be adversely affected by a range of external factors including 
competition from alternative sources of oil, gas and LNG, competition from other sources of energy supply or changes in consumer 
behaviour or government policy.   

Santos’ business strategy development and review processes consider independent oil, gas and LNG market forecasts, and other 
relevant macro-economic factors, to assess the Santos portfolio under a range of scenarios, to deliver robust plans in support of the 
Company’s purpose and vision.

Project development

Santos undertakes investment in a variety of oil and gas projects to extract, process and supply oil and gas to a variety of customers, 
including long-term high-volume contracts to supply feedstock gas to the GLNG project. Such projects may be delayed or be 
unsuccessful for many reasons, including unanticipated economic, financial, operational, engineering, technical, environmental, 
contractual, regulatory, community 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. Progress and performance of material projects 
is regularly reviewed by senior management and the Board.

Joint venture arrangements

Much of Santos’ business is carried out through joint ventures.  The use of joint ventures is common in the oil and gas 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 has clear standards and requirements related to the establishment and management of joint venture arrangements and activities. 
The Company works closely with its joint venture partners to reduce the risk of misalignment in joint venture activities.

Operational risks

Technical and engineering

Santos is exposed to risks in relation to its ongoing oil and gas exploration and production activities, such as failure of drilling and 
completions equipment, pipeline and facilities integrity failures, major processing or transportation incidents, release of hydrocarbons 
or other substances, security incidents and other well control and process safety risks, which may have an adverse effect on Santos’ 
profitability and results of operations.

Santos applies an integrated management system across all operational activities to manage and monitor operations performance 
and material risk controls. The management system includes all relevant technical, operational, asset reliability and integrity standards 
and incident management standards and competency requirements designed to ensure the Company meets regulatory and industry 
standards in all operations.

Access and licence to operate 

Santos has interests in areas which may be subject to claims by communities and landowners, who may have concerns over the social 
or environmental impacts of oil and gas operations or the distribution of oil and gas royalties and access to mining and petroleum 
related benefits. This has the potential to impact on land access or result in community unrest and activism targeted towards project 
infrastructure impacting Santos’ reputation. 

A number of Santos’ interests are also located within areas which 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 and its operating joint venture partners work closely with relevant governments, communities, landowners and indigenous groups 
to ensure all concerns are fairly addressed and managed, and Santos’ operations benefit from their support. In addition, Santos and its 
operating joint venture partners develop and employ security and risk management plans, and are committed to conducting operations 
in a way that protects the security of its personnel, facilities and operations. 

Santos has a long history of safe and sustainable operations undertaken working with communities and landholders across the country. 
The Company has hundreds of land access agreements in place and a team of experienced community and land access representatives 
who work with Aboriginal stakeholders, landholders and communities to ensure that issues are understood and addressed appropriately.

26 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ ReportDirectors’ ReportCyber security

Cyber security risks, including threats to Santos’ information and operational systems from computer viruses, unauthorised access, 
cyber-attack and other similar disruptions, have evolved rapidly and can impact all sectors of the economy, including the energy industry. 
The increasing technological advances in operations require monitoring and protection to ensure cyber security threats are appropriately 
prevented and managed. Cyber security risks may lead to a breach of privacy, fraud, disruption of critical business processes or theft of 
commercially sensitive information. Such events could lead to operational disruptions and have an adverse impact on Santos’ profitability 
and financial position.

Focused cyber security risk management is incorporated into Santos’ risk management and assurance processes and practices across 
the Company’s business and operational information management systems.

Workforce

Santos’ future success is significantly influenced by the expertise and continued service of certain key executives and technical 
personnel. An inability to attract or retain such personnel could adversely affect the results of Santos’ operations and financial condition.

Santos has a suite of employment arrangements designed to secure and retain the services of such personnel. Key workforce metrics 
and succession plans are routinely reviewed by senior management and the Board.

Environmental, safety and sustainability risks

Health, safety and environmental 

The size, nature and complexity of Santos’ operations pose risks in relation to the health and safety of the employees and contractors 
involved, including risks associated with travel to and from operations. 

A range of 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 Santos’ licence to operate leading 
to delays, disruption or the shut-down of exploration and production activities.

Santos has a comprehensive approach to management of health, safety and environmental risks. The Company’s management system 
integrates technical and engineering requirements with personal health and safety requirements to comprehensively manage safety risks 
within company operations.

Climate change

Santos is likely to be subject to increasing regulations and costs associated with climate change and management of carbon emissions.

Strategic, regulatory and operational risks and opportunities associated with climate change are incorporated into Company policy, 
strategy and risk management processes and practices. The Company actively monitors current and potential areas of climate change 
risk and takes actions to prevent and/or mitigate any impacts on its objectives and activities. Reduction of waste and emissions is an 
integral part of delivery of cost efficiencies and forms part of the Company’s routine operations.

Financial risks

Santos’ overall financial risk management strategy seeks 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 a Board-
approved framework and policies. The framework and principles for overall financial risk management address specific financial risks, 
such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and credit risk, approved derivative and non-derivative financial instruments, and liquidity 
management.

Santos has an oil price hedging policy with the objective of reducing the effect of commodity price volatility and support annual capital 
expenditure plans. Santos continues to monitor commodity market conditions and will enter hedging transactions as appropriate. 

Foreign currency

Santos’ 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.

Santos is exposed to foreign currency risk principally through the sale of products denominated in currencies other than the functional 
currency, borrowings denominated in currencies other than US$ and capital and operating expenditure incurred in currencies other than 
US$, principally A$. Santos also has certain investments in domestic and foreign operations whose net assets are exposed to foreign 
currency translation risk.

Credit

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.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 27

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. 

Contract and counterparty risks

As part of its ongoing commercial activities, Santos is party to a number of material contracts including finance agreements, 
infrastructure access agreements, agreements for the sale and purchase of hydrocarbon, transportation agreements, joint venture 
agreements, and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts. Santos also enters into sale and purchase contracts with 
various third parties for the sale and purchase of natural gas, LNG and other products. 

The economic effects of these contracts over their term may be impacted by fluctuations in commodity prices, price reviews, 
operational performance and other market conditions. Failure to perform material obligations under these contracts by Santos and/or 
the applicable counterparties, or to secure any extensions or amendments to these contracts, may result in a material impact on Santos’ 
operations and financial results. 

Santos tracks key contractual obligations and monitors performance across its material contracts.

Political and legal risks

Political, legal and regulatory

Santos’ business is subject to various laws and regulations in each of the countries in which it operates that 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 Santos’ business, results of operations and financial condition. 
For example, a change in taxation laws, environmental laws or land access laws could have a material effect on the Company.

Santos’ domestic gas business and GLNG project, including its ability to purchase gas, develop future growth projects and meet supply 
commitments, may also be adversely impacted by any governmental intervention, including limitations on LNG export volumes and/ or 
the redirection of gas from export to domestic markets. Any such intervention may also have broader implications for the future of the 
gas industry in Australia. 

Santos continually monitors legislative and regulatory risk and engages appropriately with regulators and governments to manage 
regulatory risks. 

Litigation and dispute

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, commercial and contractual disputes, 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, and adversely impact Santos’ 
financial performance and future financial prospects.

Santos has an experienced legal team that monitors and manages potential and actual claims, actions and disputes.

Material prejudice 

As permitted by sections 299(3) and 299A(3) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), 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 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. 

28 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ ReportDirectors’ ReportSIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE STATE OF AFFAIRS

The Material Business Risks section (pages 25 to 28) refers to risks which, if materialised, may have a significant effect on the state of 
affairs of the Company.

DIVIDENDS

On 20 February 2018, the Directors resolved not to pay a final 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. Environmental compliance 
performance is monitored on a regular basis and in various forms, including audits conducted by regulatory authorities and by the 
Company, either through internal or external resources.

On 15 February 2017, Santos received a penalty infringement notice and $12,190 fine from the Queensland Department of Environment 
and Heritage Protection for non-compliance with a Soils Management Plan. The consolidated entity undertook corrective measures in 
respect of the infringements to prevent re-occurrences.

This was the only penalty infringement notice and fine the consolidated entity received. 

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 2018, the Directors of Santos Limited resolved not to pay a final dividend in respect of the 2017 financial year. 

SHARES UNDER OPTION AND UNVESTED SHARE ACQUISITION RIGHTS (SARs)

Options

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

Date options granted

3 May 2008

3 May 2008

28 July 2008

2 March 2009

Expiry date

2 May 2018

2 May 2018

27 July 2018

2 March 2019

1 

This is the exercise price payable by the option holder. 

Issue price of shares1

Number of options

$15.39

$15.39

$17.36

$14.81

447,540

227,951

81,948

50,549

807,988

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

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 29

Unvested SARs

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

Date SARs granted

6 March 2015

28 July 2015

10 February 2016

1 May 2016

14 June 2016

31 August 2016

21 March 2017

29 September 2017

Number of shares under  
unvested SARs

1,913,744

587,787

166,911

42,585

4,154,730

628,141

4,226,683

549,024

 12,269,605

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 34 of this report and in note 7.2 to the financial report.

SHARES ISSUED ON THE EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND ON THE VESTING OF SARS

Options

No options were exercised during the year ended 31 December 2017 or up to the date of this report. 

Vested SARs

The following ordinary shares of Santos Limited were issued during the year ended 31 December 2017 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 July 2014

28 July 2015

1 February 2016

31 August 2016

1 December 2016

29 September 2017

Number of shares issued

300,870

45,130

166,911

 38,039

23,777

271

 574,998

Since 31 December 2017, 4,197 ordinary shares of Santos Limited have been issued on the vesting of SARs granted under the SEEIP and 
ShareMatch.

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 34 
of this report and in notes 7.2 and 7.3 to the financial report.

30 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ ReportDirectors’ Report2017 Remuneration in Brief 

This section is in addition to the Remuneration Report on pages 34 to 53. This section therefore does not form part of the audited 
Remuneration Report. It provides additional information in relation to the amount of remuneration paid to the Company’s Managing 
Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kevin Gallagher, and Senior Executives during 2017. The Company has chosen to do this  
so that investors have the benefit of this information in addition to the Remuneration Report, which has been prepared in accordance 
with statutory requirements and Accounting Standards. 

DELIVERING STRONG PERFORMANCE 

Since commencing its turnaround to deliver a low-cost, reliable and high-performance business, Santos has taken tough and decisive 
action to restructure the business, remove substantial costs, rebuild cash flow and strengthen the balance sheet.

The Transform Build Grow strategy is now delivering ahead of expectations. Focused on five core, long-life natural gas assets: Cooper 
Basin, Queensland (including GLNG), Papua New Guinea (PNG), Northern Australia and West Australian Gas, our simplified portfolio is 
now positioned to provide stable base production for the next decade and positive free cash flow at an oil price of less than or equal to 
US$40 per barrel (bbl), pre-major growth opportunities.

The Santos share price increased by 36% in 2017 to A$5.45 as at 31 December 2017 and market capitalisation increased by 39% over 
the same period.

In 2017, the Transform phase of the Company’s strategy delivered:

• 

• 

• 

free cash flow breakeven oil price of US$32/bbl, down 12% on 2016;

upstream unit production costs of US$8.07 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe), down 5%; and

net debt of US$2.7 billion, down 22%.

In 2017 under the Build phase, Santos continued to strengthen its core asset positions in PNG, Northern Australia and Queensland,  
and added the Narrabri project in NSW to the core portfolio.

In the Grow phase, a two-well appraisal campaign in the Barossa field offshore Northern Australia significantly increased the resource 
size and strengthened the Company’s position as the lead candidate for Darwin LNG backfill. In Papua New Guinea, additional 
debottlenecking opportunities were identified at PNG LNG to further increase production. Across GLNG and the Cooper Basin, 
significant cost savings and efficiencies have led to increased drilling activity.

The Santos turnaround strategy is on track and delivering strong results. In light of this the Board has approved a Company Scorecard 
result of 88.5%, which will be used to determine Short-Term Incentive (STI) awards.

ALIGNING REMUNERATION AND COMPANY PERFORMANCE 

Despite strong operational performance during 2017, no Long-Term Incentive (LTI) awards vested because the Company did not achieve 
the required relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance over the four years since 2014 LTI was awarded. This is the seventh 
consecutive year that relative TSR-tested LTI awards have not vested, reflecting the clear link between shareholder returns and Senior 
Executive remuneration. 

In 2017 the Company continued to align Executive remuneration with the interests of shareholders by:

• 

• 

• 

emphasising the importance of financial and operational performance in the Company Scorecard, at an overall 60% weighting of  
the total, including production, debt reduction, profit and Return on Average Capital Employed (ROACE) and Free Cash Flow 
Breakeven Point (FCFBP) measures;

requiring that STI cash payments were to be fully funded by free cash flow (FCF), such that if Santos did not reach its gateway  
of achieving positive FCF in excess of the total net Santos STI cash cost, all of the CEO and Senior Executives’ STI would be 
awarded as two-year deferred equity rather than cash (noting that if FCF targets are met, 30% of the CEO and Senior Executives’ 
STI awards will continue to be deferred into equity for two years); 

 focusing the CEO and Senior Executives on ongoing shareholder returns and operational efficiency through the LTI plan’s relative 
TSR, FCFBP and ROACE performance hurdles; and 

• 

 maintaining the same fees for non-executive Directors in 2017 that have been unchanged since October 2013.

REPORTING CURRENCY 

The majority of the Remuneration Report is disclosed in US$ (unless otherwise indicated) with all remuneration components having been 
converted from A$ to US$ using an average rate of $0.7667 for 2017 and $0.7451 for 2016. 

The Actually Realised Remuneration table in this section at page 33 is disclosed in A$.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 31

2017 Remuneration in Brief 
continued

ACTUALLY REALISED REMUNERATION 

The Actually Realised Remuneration Table shows remuneration “actually realised” by the CEO and Senior Executives in relation to 2017 
namely: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 cash payments on account of Total Fixed Remuneration (TFR); 

 cash STI awards earned in respect of 2017 performance;

 deferred STI awards in respect of prior performance years which vested in 2017; 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 Remuneration 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 2014 four-year LTI award tested at the end of 2017). 

Termination payments, leave entitlements and cashing out of leave entitlements, where allowable under legislation, are not included in 
the table below. The total remuneration amounts determined in accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
and Accounting Standards are set out in Table 5 “2016 and 2017 Senior Executive remuneration details” (see page 43).

32 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ ReportActually realised remuneration (unaudited and non-IFRS)

Year

TFR1 Cash STI2

 2015  
deferred  
STI that 
vested in  
20173

 A$

A$

A$

Current

K Gallagher 
CEO

2017

2016

2017

P Byrne11 
Executive Vice President 
(EVP) Marketing, Trading 
and Commercial

1,800,0008

1,159,200

1,650,000

271,370

712,600

129,400

A Neilson13 
Chief Financial Officer 
(CFO) 

2017

800,000

423,600

V Santostefano15 
Chief Operations Officer, 
Operations Services

2017

2016

850,000

379,300

662,195

243,100

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ordinary 
shares4

A$

–

285,000

–

–

–

97,200

B Woods17

2017

695,000

355,600

297,330

–

EVP Onshore Upstream 2016

660,000

202,600

–

81,000

Former

J Anderson20 
EVP Marketing  
and Trading 

2017

2016

750,000

366,30021

408,101

–

740,504

275,700

54,817

110,300

Other 
vested 
grants6

A$

LTI5

A$

Other7

A$

Total

A$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

667,6449

5,341

3,632,185

–

–

9,80410 2,657,404

9,80412

410,574

122,21414

2,626

1,348,440

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,684

1,231,984

9,80416

1,012,299

6,40818

1,354,338

3,24819

946,848

–

1,524,401

15,000

1,196,321

1 

TFR comprises base salary and superannuation. The amount shown here is the actually received TFR, i.e. pro-rated amount is shown for any Executive who commenced during the year. 

2  This relates to the 70% of the STI award for 2017 performance for continuing Executives which will be paid in cash. The remaining 30% will be awarded as equity restricted for two-years. 
The 2017 Company Scorecard outcome is presented at Table 1 “2017 STI scorecard performance” on page 36. 2016 and 2017 Senior Executive remuneration details, including deferred STI 
accounting valuations, can be found on page 43. 

3  This relates to the deferred restricted shares from the 2015 STI award that vested on 31 December 2017. The amount shown is based on the closing share price of A$5.45 on the vesting 

date of 31 December 2017. 

4  This relates to the 2016 STI in which Senior Executives received 20% of the STI award as ordinary shares. The amount reflected is based on the closing share price of A$4.02 on  

31 December 2016, being the end of the applicable performance year.

5  No LTI vested in 2017. For the value of share based payments calculated in accordance with the Accounting Standards, see Table 5 “2016 and 2017 Senior Executive remuneration”  

on page 43. 

6  This relates to any other grants that have vested, such as the sign-on grants received by the CEO and CFO that have now vested. 

7 

“Other” comprises ad hoc payments treated as remuneration, such as assignment and mobilisation allowances and other non-monetary benefits. 

8  Mr Gallagher received no TFR increase in 2017. The 2017 figures represented for the CEO are for the full 12 months of 2017, whereas the 2016 figures only include the 11 months following his 

February 2016 commencement. 

9  This figure represents the first tranche of the CEO’s sign-on grant (166,911 SARs) that vested on 31 January 2017. The amount reflected is based on a closing share price of A$4.00 on  

31 January 2017. 

10  Mr Gallagher received a relocation allowance in February 2016. 

11  Mr Byrne became a KMP on 14 August 2017 when he commenced as EVP Marketing and Trading. His part-year remuneration is shown. 

12  Mr Byrne received a relocation allowance on commencement of his employment. 

13  Mr Neilson became a KMP on 1 January 2017 when he commenced as CFO. 

14  This relates to Mr Neilson’s 2016 sign-on grant (23,777 SARs) that vested on 1 December 2017. The amount is based on the closing share price of A$5.14 on 1 December 2017. 

15  Mr Santostefano received no TFR increase in 2017. The 2017 figures for Mr Santostefano are for the full 12 months of 2017, whereas the 2016 figures only relate to the period following his  

21 March 2016 commencement. 

16 

In 2016 Mr Santostefano received a relocation allowance.

17  Mr Woods received a TFR increase on 1 July 2017 of 7.5% (TFR of $720,000) reflecting his increased responsibilities and promotion to EVP Onshore Upstream. 

18 

Includes 353 SARs that vested from when Mr Woods previously participated in the Company’s employee share plan prior to becoming a KMP. The value of the 353 SARs reflects a share 
price of A$3.02 on 3 July 2017 on its vesting date. Also included are any non-monetary benefits. 

19  Mr Woods previously participated in the Company’s employee share plan prior to becoming a KMP and 808 of these shares vested in 2016. 

20  Mr Anderson was a KMP from 1 January 2017 to 13 August 2017 while in the role of EVP Marketing and Trading. He ceased to be a KMP on 14 August 2017. Mr Anderson continued to 

provide transitionary support after ceasing to be a KMP and his total remuneration earned for 2017 has been provided for comparison purposes.

21  Given Mr Anderson will no longer be working for the Company, his pro-rated 2017 STI will be delivered wholly in cash in accordance with his contractual agreement. The figures for Mr 

Anderson do not include his termination payments, details of which are set out in Table 5 “2016 and 2017 Senior Executive remuneration details”. 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 33

 
 
Remuneration Report 

The Directors of Santos Limited (referred to as the Company or Santos in this Report) present this Remuneration Report for the 
consolidated entity for the year ended 31 December 2017. 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 2017 and remuneration information pertaining to the 
Company’s Directors, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kevin Gallagher, and Senior Executives who are the key 
management personnel (KMP) of the consolidated entity for the purposes of the Corporations Act and Accounting Standards. These 
are the personnel who have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company’s major 
financial, commercial and operating divisions. 

REMUNERATION APPROACH 

Remuneration policy objective

Attracting and retaining talented and 
qualified executives

Focusing executives to strive for 
superior performance

Aligning executive and shareholder 
interests

Implemented through the company’s remuneration framework

Remuneration levels are market-
aligned against similar roles in 
comparable companies.

The Company compares remuneration 
levels for similar roles in a 
benchmarking group. 

This group comprises peer companies 
across broader based industries of the 
ASX100 and also the oil and gas sector 
(and related resources sectors).

A significant component of 
remuneration is “at risk” under the 
Short-Term Incentive plan. The value 
to the executive is dependent on 
meeting challenging targets.

Short-Term incentive outcomes are 
based on performance measures that 
include production, free cash flow, 
profit, safety, environment, reserves 
development, value creation and 
leadership measures.

Long-term incentives are delivered in 
the form of Share Acquisition Rights 
(SARs). 

Vesting of performance-based  
Long-Term incentives is contingent  
on achieving performance hurdles. 

Long-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.

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. 

External advisors and remuneration advice

The Board has adopted a protocol for engaging and seeking advice from remuneration consultants. In 2017 market benchmarking was 
undertaken to provide information on KMP remuneration however no remuneration recommendations were provided by remuneration 
consultants. 

34 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ ReportREMUNERATION FRAMEWORK 

Remuneration benchmarking

Total Fixed Remuneration (TFR), Short-Term Incentive (STI) and Long-Term Incentive (LTI) levels are set by reference to market data 
to ensure that the Company offers competitive remuneration that enables it to attract and retain the skills it needs to deliver the 
Company’s short-term and long-term objectives. 

Total Fixed Remuneration

TFR comprises base pay and superannuation and is reviewed annually and formally benchmarked against comparable peer companies.  
It is set in consideration of an individual’s role and responsibilities and also the Executive’s experience and competencies. 

Short-Term Incentive

The Company provides an annual STI program to align Executive interests with the delivery of its short-term operational and financial 
targets for the year. These are chosen to drive outcomes and behaviours that support the safe operation and delivery of the business 
and lead to long-term growth in shareholder value. These are reviewed annually by the Board. Table 1 on page 36 outlines the short-term 
objectives used in 2017 to measure performance for STI purposes and the reasons why these objectives were chosen.

In 2017 the Company maintained its focus on delivering strong financial returns with the financial based metrics remaining at 60% 
weighting. The free cash flow (FCF) gateway for the CEO and Senior Executives’ cash STI award also remained whereby if the FCF 
gateway is met, 30% of the STI award for the CEO and Senior Executives are deferred into shares or SARs. If the gateway is not met, 
100% of the CEO and Senior Executives’ STI awards will be delivered as shares or SARs that vest at the end of a two-year deferral 
period. If a Senior Executive resigns during the period, they will ordinarily forfeit their deferred shares or SARs. 

Further details in relation to the STI program are provided on page 50.

Long-Term Incentive

In order to align the interests of Executives with the creation of long-term shareholder value, the Company awards its LTI as SARs.  
The SARs are granted at no cost and only vest if the Company meets a number of performance hurdles. 

Vesting of the 2017 LTI grants is based on the following performance targets:

• 

• 

• 

• 

 25% relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) measured against companies in the ASX100;

 25% relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) measured against companies in the S&P Global 1200 Energy Index (GEI);

 25% Free Cash Flow Breakeven Point; and 

 25% Return on Average Capital Employed.

Further details are provided in relation to the LTI program on page 51.

Clawback

The share plan rules give the Company the discretion to lapse or forfeit unvested deferred shares or SARs awarded under the STI  
or LTI programs as well as claw back any vested shares or cash paid in certain circumstances. These circumstances include dishonest 
or fraudulent conduct, breach of material obligations, miscalculation or error, a material misstatement or omission in the accounts of a 
group company or events which require re-statement of the group’s financial accounts in circumstances where an LTI or deferred STI 
award would not otherwise have been granted or would not 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.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 35

Remuneration Report
continued 

Link between performance and remuneration 

2017 STI scorecard performance 

The Company’s performance against the 2017 Company Scorecard as assessed by the Board resulted in a score of 88.5%. The table 
below summarises the short-term objectives in the Scorecard, their rationale and the Company’s performance against them. 

Table 1: 2017 Company scorecard performance 

Measure

Personnel safety

Measured by the rolling average 
number of Lost-Time Injuries 
per million hours worked over a 
three-year period (2015 to 2017).

Process safety

Measured by the number of 
Tier 1 loss of containment of 
hydrocarbon incidents.

)

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Environmental incidents

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

Santos Management 
System (SMS)

Reflect SMS project delivery 
for new policies, management 
standards and supporting 
procedures and tools.

Rationale

Performance

The Company is committed to providing 
a workplace without injury or illness and 
managing the impact of our operations on 
the environment.

Lost time injury frequency rate 
(LTIFR) (three-year rolling average) 
of 0.38. Threshold performance level 
was not achieved.

Score

13.75%

Tier 1 loss of containment of 
hydrocarbon incidents achieved 
better than target performance.

The integrated targets for personnel 
safety, process safety, and the 
environment, represent the Company’s 
holistic approach to safety management 
which is 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 occurrence of 
significant environmental incidents.

There were no environmental 
incidents of moderate or greater 
consequence, achieving better 
than target performance.

The SMS forms the Company’s key 
control framework, setting out the 
mandatory performance requirements 
across the Company’s primary activities  
in a consolidated framework for effective 
outcomes, operations and risk management.

The SMS was developed and 
substantially rolled out in 2017, with 
all management standards and most 
supporting procedures and tools 
launched, achieving target outcome.

36 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Report 
 
)

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Production

Adjusted net debt

Score

57.65%

Rationale

Performance

Production is critical to the Company’s 
profitability, and is a key measure of 
the Company’s overall performance, 
underpinning annual earnings and cash flow.

Adjusted net debt is included to prioritise 
debt reduction and reflect Santos’ target 
to reduce net debt. Adjusted net debt 
reflects the focus on reducing Company 
debt, following start-up of major projects 
and resultant high gearing level, and against 
a backdrop of a low oil price environment.

Production of 59.5 mmboe met 
stretch performance.

Adjusted net debt was substantially 
reduced to US$2.73 billion which met 
stretch performance.

Free cash flow breakeven 
point (FCFBP)

Included to ensure continual reduction  
in the company’s cost base.

Return on average capital 
employed (ROACE) 

This measure is included to focus on 
earning improvement and drive improved 
returns for the business.

Underlying net profit  
after tax (NPAT)

Included to deliver earning improvement 
for the business.

Reserves replacement reflects the 
Company’s ability to replace the reserves 
it uses in the current year’s production to 
ensure the longer-term sustainability of 
the Company.

Free cash flow breakeven point 
was further improved in 2017 down 
to US$31.90 per barrel. Stretch 
performance was achieved.

ROACE of 6.9% resulted in target 
performance being achieved.

Stretch performance achieved through 
strong sales revenue and cost reduction. 
Final underlying NPAT at US$336m 
achieving stretch performance.

The 2P reserves replacement  
growth result met threshold.

13.37%

Reserves replacement 

The volume of proven and 
probable (2P) reserves added by 
the Company organically compared 
to the volume of reserves used in 
the current year’s production.

Discover / acquire new 2C 
resource (% of production) 

The volume of 2C contingent 
resources added by the Company 
through discovery, appraisal and 
acquisition compared to the 
volume of reserves used in the 
current year’s production.

Core asset portfolio build

Leadership and culture

To equip the organisation to 
achieve the Company Strategy 
and Values.

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Resource replacement reflects the 
Company’s ability to build a portfolio of 
future development projects through 
new exploration, appraisal and acquisition 
opportunities.

The new 2C contingent resources 
replacement growth stretch target 
was achieved.

This metric is focused on increasing  
the value of the Company’s core 
asset portfolio through the delivery of 
commercial, operational and efficiency 
improvements.

Focus on developing the capability of  
our employees.

Employee survey introduced to establish 
a baseline for culture improvement, 
engagement and productivity.

Significant progress has been made in 
driving down Cooper Basin and GLNG 
cost structure and unlocking value 
from new and existing commercial 
arrangements. The Company achieved 
a score above target.

There was a focus on ensuring all 
employees had development plans  
to drive strong performance outcomes 
in 2017. The Company achieved 
threshold for this measure.

An employee survey was completed by 
Quarter 3 2017 with the analysis used 
to develop plans to address critical gaps 
within the Company. The Company 
achieved stretch performance for this 
measure.

3.75%

Total

88.5%

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Report
continued 

LTI PERFORMANCE 

The Company’s Total Shareholder Return for the period 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017 ranked below the 51st percentile in both 
the comparator groups comprising the companies in the ASX 100 and the S&P GEI. As a result, none of the SARs granted to the 
recipients in 2014 as part of the four-year grant vested. This reflects the alignment of the Company’s LTI program with the interests  
and long-term returns of shareholders. 

Details about how performance targets are set and tested for the purposes of STI and LTI awards are set out on pages 50 and 52.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Table 2 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 2: Key metrics of company performance 2013–2017

Injury frequency

total recordable case frequency rate

 lost time injury frequency rate  
(three-year1 rolling average) 

Production (mmboe)

Reserve replacement rate – 2P organic (%)

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

3.8

0.8

51.0

3

3.5

0.7

54.1

0

2.8

0.5

57.7

0

2.2

0.4

61.6

19

3.5

0.38

59.5

62

Net profit/(loss) after tax2 ($m)

US$499

US$(630)

US$(1,953)

US$(1,047)

US$(360)

Dividends per ordinary share (cents) A$ 

30

35

20

0

0

Share price – closing price on first trading day of year 

A$11.11

A$14.63

A$8.25

A$3.68

A$4.023

LTI performance (% vesting) –  
shown against final year of performance period

STI score (% of maximum)

0%

60% 

0%

58%4

0%

67%

0%

86.5%

0%

88.5%

1 

2 

From the 2015 performance year onwards the figures reflect a rolling three-year average.

2013 – 2015 NPAT figures have been translated from A$ to US$ at an applicable exchange rate for the year for comparison purposes following the change in the Company’s presentation 
currency to US$ in 2016. 

3  Closing share price at 31 December 2017 was A$5.45.

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

38 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Report 
 
CEO REMUNERATION

What is the CEO’s TFR?

What notice periods are 
applicable for termination? 

US$1,380,060 per annum. There was no TFR increase for the CEO in 2017. The difference in the 
amount compared with last year relates to US$ exchange rate movements. 

The CEO’s contract has no fixed term and may be terminated with 12 months’ notice by either party.

Employment may be ended immediately in certain circumstances including misconduct, incapacity, and 
mutual agreement or in the event of a fundamental change in the CEO’s role or responsibility.

What termination benefits 
apply?

The Company may elect to pay the CEO in lieu of any unserved notice period. If termination is by 
mutual agreement, the CEO will receive a payment of US$1,150,050. 

In the case of death, incapacity or fundamental change, the CEO is entitled to a payment equivalent to 
12 months’ base salary.

What sign-on grants were 
received?

In recognition of previous incentives foregone from his former employer, Mr Gallagher received a sign-
on grant of SARs when he commenced employment with Santos in 2016. The SARs had a face value of 
US$766,700 equal to a total of 333,822 SARs divided as follows: 

• 

• 

50% (166,911 SARs) that vested on 31 January 2017; and

50% (166,911 SARs) that vested on 31 January 2018.

Mr Gallagher has five years from the date of vesting to convert the SARs into Santos shares. 
Mr Gallagher does not need to pay any amount on conversion of the SARs.

The CEO has a maximum STI opportunity of 100% of his TFR. 

The Board formally assessed the CEO’s 2017 performance and awarded an STI of US$1,269,655, 
equivalent to 92% of his maximum STI. This award will be delivered as 70% cash and 30% in deferred 
equity restricted for two years. This award recognises Mr Gallagher’s strong leadership of the 
Company’s turnaround.

The CEO has a maximum LTI opportunity of 150% of TFR allocated on a face value basis. In accordance 
with the approval of shareholders at the May 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM), the CEO was 
granted 671,641 SARs in respect of his 2017 LTI. 

The performance conditions of the CEO’s grant are the same as those of the Senior Executives’ grant 
outlined on page 51.

STI

What is the maximum STI  
the CEO could receive?

How much STI did the CEO 
receive in respect of 2017 
performance?

LTI

What is the amount of LTI  
the CEO can receive?

What are the performance 
conditions of the 2017 LTI 
program for the CEO?

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 39

 
Remuneration Report
continued 

SENIOR EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION 

Fixed remuneration

Was there an increase in 
Senior Executives’ TFR?

STI

What was the maximum 
STI Senior Executives could 
receive?

Independent market benchmarking was undertaken to review Senior Executives’ remuneration. 
Mr Woods received a 7.5% TFR increase from 1 July 2017 reflecting his increased accountabilities 
and promotion to EVP Onshore Upstream. All other KMPs remained the same.

The Senior Executives have a maximum STI opportunity of up to 85% of their TFR. 

How were STI payments 
calculated?

The STI payments for Mr Byrne, Mr Santostefano and Mr Woods are based on 60% Company and 40% 
individual performance; for Mr Neilson, STI is based on 80% Company and 20% individual performance. 

How was performance 
assessed for STI purposes?

Company performance against the overall Company Scorecard is assessed by the Committee and the 
Board. 

Each Senior Executive’s individual performance is assessed by the CEO against a number of objectives, 
including financial, operational and strategic measures.

How much STI will Senior 
Executives receive in respect 
of 2017 performance?

The Company’s performance against the 2017 Company Scorecard as assessed by the Board resulted in 
a score of 88.5%. Further details of each individual Senior Executive’s remuneration is provided in Table 
5 “2016 and 2017 Senior Executive remuneration details” on page 43. 

LTI

How much LTI was granted 
to Senior Executives in 2017?

In 2017, Senior Executives received an LTI award equivalent to 80% of TFR which was allocated  
on a face value basis. For the 2017 year only, Mr Neilson received an LTI award equivalent to 100%  
of his TFR.

What are the LTI 
performance conditions?

The grant has a four year performance period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020. Vesting is 
based on the four equally weighted performance targets as indicated on page 51. The vesting schedule 
can be also be found on page 52. 

What proportion of prior year 
LTI grants vested in 2017? 

Nil. 

The testing of the 2014 LTI grant with a performance period 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017 
occurred in early 2018. As the performance hurdle was not achieved, there was no vesting of the grant 
and it was forfeited.

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 between 6 and 12 months’ notice, or by the Senior Executive 
giving between 6 and 12 months’ notice. In a Company-initiated termination, the Company may make a payment in lieu of notice 
equivalent to the TFR that 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. 

40 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Report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 3: Relative weightings of remuneration components for CEO and Senior Executives1

CEO3

Senior Executives

At risk remuneration

Fixed 
remuneration

28.6%

28.6%

37.7%

38.2%

STI2

28.6%

28.6%

32.1%

31.2%

LTI

42.8%

42.8%

30.2%

30.6%

Total  
“at risk”

71.4%

71.4%

62.3%

61.8%

Total

100%

100%

100%

100%

2017

2016

2017

2016

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 maximum potential of each component.

2  Also includes deferred STI component.

3  The figures here do not include the CEO’s sign-on grant. 

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.

 Independent Directors’ 
performance is assessed  
at the time of re-election.

• 

• 

 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 to be 
acquired within three years.

 Non-executive Directors can 
acquire shares through 
acquisition on market during 
trading windows and/or through 
the non-executive Director 
share plan. 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 41

Remuneration Report
continued 

Maximum aggregate amount

Total fees paid to all non-executive Directors in a year, including Board Committee fees, must not exceed US$1,993,420 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. 

Remuneration 

There have been no increases in non-executive Director fees since October 2013. 

Remuneration details for the non-executive Directors are provided in Table 11 “2016 and 2017 non-executive Director remuneration 
details” on page 46.

Fee structure

Table 4: Non-executive Directors’ fees per annum1

Board

Audit and Risk Committee

Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee

Nomination Committee3

People and Remuneration Committee

1 

Fees are shown exclusive of superannuation.

2  The Chair of the Board does not receive any additional fees for serving on or chairing any Board committee. 

3  The Chair of the Board is the Chair of the Nomination Committee, in accordance with its Charter.

Superannuation and retirement benefits

Chair2

US$

Member

US$

$386,072

$128,461

$32,201

$16,867

N/A

$23,001

$16,101

$11,501

$7,667

$12,267

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).

42 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Report$
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Santos Annual Report 2017 / 43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Report
continued 

Tables 6 and 7 contain details of the number and value of SARs and shares granted, vested and lapsed for the CEO in 2017. The CEO did 
not have any options granted, vesting or lapsing in 2017. The CEO has no options to exercise. 

Table 6: 2017 SARs outcomes for CEO 

Granted

Vested

Number

Maximum  
value2

US$

Number 

Value

US$

Lapsed

Number

SARs

671,6411

1,390,357

166,9113

$511,8834

–

1 

The number of SARs granted to the CEO relate to his 2017 LTI performance grant as approved at the 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM). 

2  Maximum value represents the fair value of LTI grants received in 2017 determined in accordance with AASB 2 Share-based Payment. The fair value of the grant as at the grant date of  
19 May 2017 is weighted at a fair value of A$2.70. Details of the assumptions underlying the valuations are set out in note 7.2 to the financial statements. The minimum total value of the 
grant to the CEO, if the applicable vesting conditions are not met, is nil in all cases. All values have been converted to US$. 

3  The number of SARs vested for the CEO relate to the first tranche of his 2016 sign-on grant (vested on 31 January 2017).

4  The value of SARs vested for the CEO relates to the first tranche of his 2016 sign-on grant (vested on 31 January 2017), using the share price of A$4.00 on that date. All values have been 

converted to US$. 

Table 7: 2017 share outcomes for CEO 

Shares

181,9331

502,864

–

Granted

Vested

Number

Maximum  
value

US$

Number 

Lapsed

Number

–

Value

US$

–

1 

The number of equity instruments granted to the CEO relate to his 2016 STI award being 111,038 restricted shares (deferred shares restricted for two years) and 70,895 ordinary shares, 
granted without restriction. For the 111,038 restricted shares maximum value represents the fair value of 2016 STI grant of deferred shares received in 2017 determined with AASB 2 
Share-based Payment. The fair value of the deferred STI grant as at the grant date of 19 April 2017 was A$3.57. The minimum total value of the restricted shares grant to the CEO is nil. In 
respect of the 70,895 ordinary shares granted without restriction on 19 April 2017, the value reflects the closing share price of A$3.66 on that date. All values have been converted to US$.

Tables 8 and 9 contain details of the number and value of SARs and shares granted, vested and lapsed for Senior Executives in 2017. No 
Senior Executive had any options granted, vesting or lapsing in 2017. No options were exercised in 2018.

Table 8: 2017 SARs outcomes for Senior Executives 

PA Byrne4

AM Neilson

V Santostefano

BK Woods 

JH Anderson 

Total 

Granted

Vested

Number1

Maximum  
value2

Number

_

222,7815

207,0249

133,333

149,253

US$

_

520,6776

479,757

296,457

331,854

_

23,7777

_

35310

_

Value

US$

_

93,7018

_

817

_

712,391 

1,628,745

24,130

94,518

Lapsed

Number3

_

_

_

(20,545)

(48,980)

(69,525)

1 

This number relates to the full LTI award for the four-year performance period ended on 31 December 2020 plus any individual SARs granted which is explained below.

2  Maximum value represents the fair value of LTI grants received in 2017 determined in accordance with AASB 2 Share-based Payment. The fair value of the grant as at the grant date of  

21 March 2017 is weighted at a fair value of A$2.90. Details of the assumptions underlying the valuations are set out in note 7.2 to the financial statements. The minimum total value of the 
grant to the Senior Executives, if the applicable vesting conditions are not met, is nil in all cases. All values have been converted to US$. 

3 

Lapsed SARs relate to the 2014 four-year LTI grant. 

4  Mr Byrne only commenced in the second half of 2017 and did not participate in the 2017 LTI offer. 

5  The figure for Mr Neilson reflects the 2017 LTI grant of 199,004 SARs and 2016 sign-on grant of 23,777 SARs. 

6  Mr Neilson’s SARs included for the 2017 LTI maximum value is in accordance with note 2 above. For the 23,777 sign-on SARs, maximum value reflects the fair value of A$4.29 as at the 

grant date of 1 December 2016. All values have been converted to US$. 

7  The number of SARs vested for Mr Neilson relate to his sign-on grant (vested on 1 December 2017). 

8  This figure shows the value of Mr Neilson’s sign-on grant using the share price of A$5.14 reflecting the vesting date of 1 December 2017. All values have been converted to US$.

9  The figure for Mr Santostefano reflects the 2017 LTI grant of 169,154 SARs and 2016 STI deferred equity component delivered as SARs of 37,870. For the 37,870 SARs delivered as deferred 
equity, maximum value reflects the fair value of A$3.57 as at the grant date of 19 April 2017. The minimum total value of the grant, if the applicable vesting conditions are not met, is nil in all 
cases. All values have been converted to US$.

10  Mr Woods previously participated in the Company’s general employee share plan prior to becoming a KMP in August 2015. In 2017 a total of 353 SARs vested. The value shown is based on 

the closing price of A$3.02 on the vesting date of 3 July 2017. All values have been converted to US$.

44 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Report 
 
Table 9: 2017 share outcomes for Senior Executives 

Granted

Vested

Number1

Maximum  
value2

Number3

–

–

24,1797

51,7078

70,3989

US$

–

–

67,849

142,919

194,581

Value4

US$

–

–

–

–

–

–

54,556

74,881

227,963

312,891

Lapsed

Number

–

–

–

–

–

–

PA Byrne5

AM Neilson6

V Santostefano

BK Woods 

JH Anderson 

Total 

146,284

405,349

129,437

540,854

1 

This relates to the 2016 STI award delivered as restricted shares and ordinary shares.

2  Maximum value represents the fair value of 2016 STI deferred shares determined in accordance with AASB 2 Share-based Payment. The fair value of the deferred STI grant as at the  

grant date of 19 April 2017 was A$3.57. The minimum total value of the grant, if the applicable vesting conditions are not met, is nil. For the ordinary shares granted without restriction on  
19 April 2017, the value represents the share price of A$3.66 on that date, All values have been converted to US$.

3  This relates to the 2015 STI grant that was deferred for two years from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017 and vested in full on 31 December 2017. 

4  These figures show the value of the 2015 deferred STI grant, using a share price of A$5.45 on 31 December 2017 converted to US$. 

5  Mr Byrne only commenced on 14 August 2017 when he commenced as EVP Marketing and Trading and did not participate in the 2016 STI plan. 

6  Mr Neilson only commenced in December 2016 and did not participate in the 2016 STI plan. 

7  These figures relate to the 2016 STI award delivered as ordinary shares. 

8  These figures relate to the 2016 STI award delivered as 31,558, deferred shares and 20,149 ordinary shares.

9  These figures relate to the 2016 STI award delivered as 42,961 deferred shares and 27,437 ordinary shares.

Table 10 outlines the LTI grants that were tested or still in progress in 2017.

Table 10: LTI grants

Grant year

Grant type

Vesting condition(s)

2014

Four-year Performance Award Relative TSR performance 

against ASX 100 companies 
(75%) and S&P GEI (25%)

2015

Four-year Performance Award Relative TSR performance 

against ASX 100 companies 
(75%) and S&P GEI (25%)

2016

Four-year Performance Award Relative TSR performance 

against ASX 100 companies 
(25%) and S&P GEI (25%)

Performance/ 
vesting period

1 January 2014 to  
31 December 2017

1 January 2015 to  
31 December 2018

1 January 2016 to  
31 December 2019

Status

Testing completed. 
Resulted in 0% of  
the grant vesting.

In progress.

In progress.

2016

CEO sign on grant 

FCFBP (25%)

ROACE (25%)

Service based

Service based

50% vesting (12 months)  
1 February 2016 to  
31 January 2017

50% vesting (24 months)  
1 February 2016 to  
31 January 2018

Vested.

Vested.

2017

Four-year  
Performance Award

Relative TSR performance 
against ASX 100 companies 
(25%) and S&P GEI (25%)

1 January 2017 to  
31 December 2020

In progress.

2017

CFO sign-on grant1

1  Mr Neilson became a KMP on 1 January 2017. 

FCFBP (25%)

ROACE (25%)

Service based

1 December 2016 to  
30 November 2017

Vested.

Full details of all grants made prior to 2017 can be found in note 7.2 to the financial statements and in prior Remuneration Reports.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 45

Remuneration Report
continued 

Details of the fees and other benefits paid to non-executive Directors in 2017 are set out in Table 11. No fee increases were received 
in 2017. Differences in fees received between 2016 and 2017 reflect changes in roles and responsibilities (i.e. Chair or Committee 
appointments), superannuation payments and currency fluctuations. No share-based payments were made to any non-executive 
Directors.

Table 11: 2016 and 2017 Non-executive Director remuneration details

Director

Director

YA Allen1

PR Coates2

GM Cowan3

RA Franklin4

H Goh5

V Guthrie6

PR Hearl7

GJW Martin8

SD Sheffield9

Y Shi10

Short-term benefits

Directors’ fees 
(incl. committee 
fees)

Fees for  
special duties 
or exertions

Retirement 
benefits

Other Superannuation11

US$

156,693

148,463

384,495

373,938

159,085

99,463

133,065

173,173

170,629

164,353

65,501

–

148,734

89,411

113,526

166,514

48,609

137,799

71,757

–

US$

US$

–

–

–

30,621

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

US$

14,631

14,104

15,205

17,410

15,068

9,405

652

677

489

557

6,223

–

14,087

8,494

10,048

14,501

149

287

7,074

–

Year

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

Share-based 
payments

US$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

US$

171,324

162,567

399,700

421,969

174,153

108,868

133,717

173,850

171,118

164,910

71,724

–

162,821

97,905

123,574

181,015

48,758

138,086

78,831

–

1  Ms Allen was appointed Chair of the People and Remuneration Committee and as a member of the Nomination Committee on 21 September 2017. Ms Allen was appointed as a member of 

the Audit and Risk Committee and retired as a member of the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee on 25 October 2017. 

2  Mr Coates was Chairman of the Board during 2017, and in accordance with its Charter, as Chairman of the Board, Mr Coates was the Chair of the Nomination Committee during 2017. 

3  Mr Cowan is the current Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

4  Mr Franklin retired as a non-executive Director on 30 September 2017.

5  Mr Goh is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee and was appointed to the Nomination Committee on 25 October 2017.

6  Dr Guthrie was appointed to the Board on 1 July 2017 and became a member of the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee on 25 October 2017.

7  Mr Hearl is a member of the People and Remuneration Committee. He was appointed as a member of the Nomination Committee on 21 September 2017. On 25 October 2017, Mr Hearl was 

appointed as Chair of the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee and he retired from the Audit and Risk Committee.

8  Mr Martin retired as a non-executive Director on 25 August 2017.

9  Mr Sheffield retired as a non-executive Director on 4 May 2017.

10  Mr Shi was appointed to the Board on 26 June 2017, and was appointed as a member of the People and Remuneration Committee on 21 September 2017 and the Audit and Risk Committee 

on 25 October 2017. 

11 

Includes superannuation guarantee payments. Superannuation guarantee payments were made to Mr Franklin, Mr Goh, Mr Sheffield only in relation to days worked in Australia.

46 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Report,

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Santos Annual Report 2017 / 49

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Report
continued 

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT LINKING COMPANY PERFORMANCE TO AT RISK REMUNERATION 

STI questions and answers 

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 financial and operational 
targets, all of which are agreed with the Board and directly related to stabilising the base business and 
improving financial performance. 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 – see Table 1 “2017 STI scorecard performance” on page 36. 

The Board believes that this Scorecard is balanced and focuses CEO and Senior Executives to achieve 
the key outcomes necessary to deliver stronger returns to shareholders. 

How is Company  
performance assessed?

Company performance is formally assessed by the People and Remuneration 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 within the Company Scorecard 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?

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 STI of all eligible employees.

50 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ ReportLTI questions and answers

How is the LTI linked to  
Company performance? 

How is LTI awarded?

What is the  
performance period?

What performance hurdles  
are applied to the LTI?

Why have the current  
LTI performance hurdles  
been chosen?

Why have the ASX 100 and 
S&P Global Energy Index been 
chosen as the comparator 
groups for Relative TSR?

LTI aligns the rewards received by the CEO and Senior Executives with the longer-term performance 
of Santos. Measuring relative TSR performance across two comparator groups in addition to FCFBP 
and ROACE ensures Santos is able to measure its performance relative to other ASX 100 companies 
and international energy sector peers in addition to ensuring strong cash flows and shareholder 
returns. All 2017 LTI grants were solely performance based, ensuring further alignment with 
shareholder interests.

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 Senior 
Executives if and when SARs vest. The Board has discretion to settle the SARs in cash if they vest.

SARs issued under the annual LTI program 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.

Vesting of the 2017 LTI grant is based on the following performance measures:

Weighting

Performance measures

25%

25%

25%

25%

Relative TSR measured against companies of the ASX100

Relative TSR measured against companies of the S&P GEI

Free Cash Flow Breakeven Point (FCFBP)

Return on Average Capital Employed (ROACE)

The Board has discretion to adjust the TSR comparator groups for example to take account 
of takeovers, mergers and demergers that occur during the performance period. Relative TSR 
performance, being a market-based measure, is tested by an independent third party and reviewed by 
the Board prior to vesting. FCFBP and ROACE, being non-market based measures, will be tested and 
audited internally with all results externally audited as part of the Annual Report release. 

The Board believes that relative TSR continues to effectively align the interests of individual Senior 
Executives with that of the Company’s shareholders, by motivating Senior 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. 

FCFBP is the US$ oil price at which cash flows from operating activities equals cash flows from 
investing activities, as published in the Company’s financial statements. This performance hurdle 
is aimed at driving the underlying business to become an operationally efficient low-cost producer 
focused on delivering shareholder value throughout the oil price cycle. As the aim of the performance 
hurdle is to measure the performance of the underlying business, the Board will have discretion to 
adjust the FCFBP for individual material items including asset acquisitions and disposals that may 
otherwise distort the measurement. 

ROACE is measured as the underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) divided by the average 
capital employed, being shareholders’ equity plus net debt, as published in the Company’s financial 
statements. Including ROACE as a performance measure aligns management to ensure that the 
business is optimised for profitability.

The ASX 100 represents the companies in which most of the Company’s shareholders would invest in 
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.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 51

Remuneration Report
continued 

LTI questions and answers

How is vesting determined?

The vesting scales below apply to both the CEO’s and Senior Executives’ 2017 LTI performance 
grants. 

There is no re-testing of the performance condition. SARs that do not vest upon testing of the 
performance condition will lapse. 

Relative TSR against the ASX100 and S&P GEI

TSR percentile ranking

% of grant vesting

Below 51st percentile

51st percentile

straight line pro-rata vesting in between

76th percentile and above

0%

50%

100%

Free cash flow breakeven point

FCFBP

>US$40/bbl 

US$40/bbl 

straight line pro-rata vesting in between

Equal to or below US$35/bbl

% of grant vesting

0%

50%

100%

Return On Average Capital Employed

ROACE

% of grant vesting

Below 100% of the Weighted Average Cost of 
Capital (WACC)

Equal to 100% of WACC

straight line pro-rata vesting in between

Equal to or above 120% of WACC

0%

50%

100%

When can vested SARs  
be traded?

Upon vesting of SARs, shares will automatically be allocated to the Senior Executive. Trading in these 
shares is subject to compliance with the Company’s Securities Dealing Policy.

52 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Report 
 
 
CHANGES TO EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION FOR THE 2018 PERFORMANCE YEAR 

In 2017, the Board continued to consider opportunities to deliver contemporary and competitive remuneration programs across 
the Company, having regard to its Transform Build Grow strategy. In particular the Board has decided to address the market 
competitiveness of the Executives’ maximum STI level, which has been low relative to Executives’ target STI . 

As a result, the Board has approved changes that will enable greater upside opportunity for exceptional performance, offset by more 
challenging stretch KPIs in the 2018 Company Scorecard and an increased proportion of any award into deferred equity. Target STI will 
be maintained at the current level. 

The changes are as follows for the 2018 performance year: 

• 

• 

• 

 increasing the maximum STI opportunity for the CEO from 100% to 125% of TFR; 

 increasing the maximum STI opportunity for the Senior Executives up to 105% of TFR; and

 for both the CEO and Senior Executives reducing the cash component of any STI award from 70% to 50% and increasing the 
deferred equity component from 30% to 50% restricted for two years. 

Following an independent external remuneration benchmarking review, the Board also decided to increase the CEO‘s TFR to 
A$1,890,000 (US$1,449,063) effective from 1 January 2018. This is the first TFR increase since the CEO joined in February 2016. 
Since the CEO’s commencement at the beginning of 2016, both the Company’s share price and market capitalisation have improved 
significantly, underpinned by a transformation of the Company’s operations and business practices. 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 53

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 permit the Company to 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 2017 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 2017 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 2018. 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

Amounts paid or payable to the Company’s auditor, Ernst & Young, for non-audit services provided during the year were: 

Taxation and other services  $355,000

Assurance services 

$401,000

The Directors are satisfied, based on the advice of the Audit and 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 2001 (Cth). 

The reason for forming this opinion is that all non-audit services have been reviewed by the Audit and 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 2001 (Cth) is set out on page 129.

ROUNDING

Australian Securities and Investments Commission Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191 applies 
to the Company. Accordingly, amounts have been rounded off in accordance with that Instrument, unless otherwise indicated.

This report is made out on 20 February 2018 in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

Director 

54 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Report 
Financial Report

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 

56

57

58

59

60

61

SECTION 1 
BASIS OF PREPARATION 

PAGE

SECTION 5 
FUNDING AND RISK MANAGEMENT 

1.1  Statement of compliance 
1.2  Key events in the current period 
1.3 

 Significant accounting judgements,  
estimates and assumptions 

1.4  Foreign currency 

61 
61 

62
62

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 

5.1 
5.2  Net finance costs 
5.3  Issued capital 
5.4  Reserves and retained earnings 
5.5  Financial risk management 

SECTION 2 
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 

PAGE

SECTION 6 
GROUP STRUCTURE 

2.1  Segment information 
2.2  Revenue   
2.3  Expenses  
2.4  Taxation   
2.5  Earnings per share 
2.6  Dividends 
2.7  Other income 

SECTION 3 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, OPERATING ASSETS 
AND RESTORATION OBLIGATIONS 

3.1  Exploration and evaluation assets 
3.2  Oil and gas assets 
3.3  Impairment of non-current assets 
3.4  Restoration obligations and other provisions 
3.5  Commitments for expenditure 

SECTION 4  
WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 

4.1  Cash and cash equivalents 
4.2  Trade and other receivables 
4.3  Inventories 
4.4  Trade and other payables 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

63 
66 
67 
68 
71 
72 
73

6.1  Consolidated entities 
6.2  Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries 
6.3  Joint arrangements 
6.4  Parent entity disclosures 
6.5  Deed of Cross Guarantee 

SECTION 7 
PEOPLE 

PAGE

7.1  Employee benefits 
7.2  Share-based payment plans 
7.3  Key management personnel disclosures 

SECTION 8 
OTHER  

8.1  Contingent liabilities 
8.2  Events after the end of the reporting period 
8.3  Commitment on removal of shareholder cap 
8.4  Remuneration of auditors  
8.5  Accounting policies  

74 
75 
78 
82 
83

PAGE

84 
85 
86 
86

123

124

129

PAGE

87 
90 
91 
92 
92

PAGE

101 
103 
104 
107 
108

PAGE

110 
111 
117

PAGE

118 
118 
118 
118 
119

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 55

 
 
  
Consolidated Income Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2017

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 before tax 

Income tax benefit 
Royalty-related tax benefit/(expense) 

Total tax benefit 

Note 

2.2 
2.3 

2.7 
3.3 
2.3 
5.2 
5.2 
6.3(c) 

2.4(a) 
2.4(b) 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

 3,107 
(2,272) 

835 
65 
123 
(938) 
(411) 
24 
(294) 
11 

(585) 

211 
14 

225 

2,594
(2,153)

441
33
157
(1,561)
(284)
15
(296)
10

(1,485)

445
(7)

438

Net loss for the period attributable to owners of Santos Limited 

(360) 

(1,047)

Earnings per share attributable to the equity holders of Santos Limited (¢) 
Basic loss per share  

Diluted loss per share 

Dividends per share (¢) 
Paid during the period 

Declared in respect of the period 

2.5 

2.5 

2.6 

2.6 

(17.3) 

(17.3) 

– 

– 

(58.2)

(58.2)

4

–

The consolidated income statement is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

56 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 December 2017

Net loss for the period 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax: 

Items to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods: 
Exchange gain/(loss) on translation of foreign operations 
Tax effect 

Gain on foreign currency loans designated as hedges of  

net investments in foreign operations 

Tax effect 

(Loss)/gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges 
Tax effect 

Net other comprehensive income/(loss) 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 

Loss on financial liabilities at fair value through other  

comprehensive income (FVOCI) 

Tax effect 

Net other comprehensive (loss)/income not to be reclassified to profit  

or loss in subsequent periods 

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax 

Total comprehensive loss attributable to owners of Santos Limited 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

(360) 

(1,047)

168 
– 

168 

191 
(57) 

134 

(3) 
1 

(2) 

300 

– 
– 

– 

(32) 
11 

(21) 

(21) 

279 

(81) 

(36)
–

(36)

20
(6)

14

27
(8)

19

(3)

2
(1)

1

–
–

–

1

(2)

(1,049)

The consolidated statement of comprehensive income is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial 
statements.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 December 2017

Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Prepayments   
Inventories 
Other financial assets 
Tax receivable  
Assets held for sale 

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 
Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale 

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  
Accumulated losses 

Equity attributable to owners of Santos Limited 

Total equity   

Note 

4.1 
4.2 

4.3 
5.5(g) 

4.2 

6.3(b) 
5.5(g) 
3.1 
3.2 

2.4(d) 

4.4 

5.1 

3.4 
5.5(g) 

5.1 
2.4(d) 
3.4 
5.5(g) 

5.3 
5.4 
5.4 

2017 
 US$million 

2016
US$million

1,231 
440 
28 
266 
– 
7 
– 

1,972 

– 
17 
43 
134 
459 
9,536 
126 
1,419 

11,734 

13,706 

495 
8 
207 
17 
142 
82 
– 

951 

114 
3,736 
240 
1,494 
20 

5,604 

6,555 

7,151 

9,034 
51 
(1,934) 

7,151 

7,151 

2,026
367
34
321
7
15
180

2,950

5
17
56
152
495
10,398
135
1,054

12,312

15,262

520
23
420
3
121
366
103

1,556

99
4,819
221
1,464
23

6,626

8,182

7,080

8,883
(510)
(1,293)

7,080

7,080

The consolidated statement of financial position is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

58 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 December 2017

Note 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

Cash flows from operating activities 
Receipts from customers 
Dividends received  
Pipeline tariffs and other receipts 
Payments to suppliers and employees 
Restoration expenditure 
Exploration and evaluation seismic and studies 
Royalty and excise paid 
Borrowing costs paid 
Income taxes paid 
Royalty-related taxes paid 
Other operating activities 

Net cash provided by operating activities 

4.1(b) 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Payments for:  

Exploration and evaluation assets 
Oil and gas assets 
Other land, buildings, plant and equipment 
Acquisitions of oil and gas assets 

Proceeds from 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 
Net proceeds from issues of ordinary shares 
Purchase of shares on-market (Treasury shares) 

Net cash provided by financing activities 

2.7 

Net (decrease)/increase 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 

4.1 

3,217 
12 
66 
(1,611) 
(37) 
(71) 
(57) 
(254) 
(28) 
(15) 
26 

1,248 

(146) 
(483) 
(5) 
(49) 
145 
(6) 
10 

(534) 

– 
783 
(2,442) 
149 
(8) 

(1,518) 

(804) 
2,026 
9 

1,231 

2,708
12
60
(1,600)
(17)
(68)
(34)
(226)
(17)
(4)
26

840

(128)
(500)
(4)
(18)
447
(20)
18

(205)

(43)
–
(147)
733 
–

543

1,178
839
9

2,026

The consolidated statement of cash flows is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2017

Equity attributable to owners of Santos Limited

Total 
equity 
Note  US$million  US$million  US$million  US$million  US$million  US$million  US$million

Issued  Translation 
reserve 
capital 

Financial 
Hedging liabilities at 
FVOCI 
reserve 

Accum- 
Accum- 
ulated 
losses/ 
ulated 
profits  Retained 
earnings 
reserve 

8,119 

(808) 

(12) 

5.4 

Balance at 1 January 2016 
Transfer retained profits to accumulated  

profits reserve 

Items of comprehensive income:

Loss for the period 
Other comprehensive (loss)/income  

for the period 

Total comprehensive (loss)/income  

for the period 

Transactions with owners in their  
capacity as owners: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Shares issued 
Dividends to shareholders 
Share-based payment transactions 

5.3 
2.6 
7.2 

764 
– 
– 

Balance at 31 December 2016 

8,883 

(830) 

Opening balance adjustment on adoption  

of new accounting standard  
(refer note 8.5)  

Balance at 1 January 2017 
Transfer retained profits to  

accumulated profits reserve 
Items of comprehensive income: 

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: 

– 
8,883 

– 
(830) 

5.4 

– 

– 

– 

– 

302 

(2) 

(21) 

302 

(2) 

(21) 

– 

– 

(22) 

(22) 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

19 

19 

– 
– 
– 

7 

– 
7 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

121 

1 

7,421

258 

(258) 

–

– 

– 

– 

(1,047) 

(1,047)

1 

(2)

(1,046) 

(1,049)

– 
(66) 
– 

313 

– 
– 
10 

764
(66)
10

(1,293) 

7,080

– 
313 

(5) 
(1,298) 

(5)
7,075

282 

(282) 

–

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

(360) 

(360)

– 

279

(360) 

(81)

– 

– 
6 

151

(8)
14

Shares issued 
On-market share purchase  
(Treasury shares) 
Share-based payment transactions 

5.3 

5.3 
7.2 

151 

(8) 
8 

– 

– 
– 

Balance at 31 December 2017 

9,034 

(528) 

– 

– 
– 

5 

(21) 

595 

(1,934) 

7,151

The consolidated statement of changes in equity is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

60 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2017
Section 1: Basis of Preparation

This section provides information about the basis of preparation of the financial report, and certain accounting policies that are 
not disclosed elsewhere in the financial report. Accounting policies specific to individual elements of the financial statements 
are located within the relevant section of the report.

1.1  STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

The consolidated financial report of Santos Limited (“the Company”) for the year ended 31 December 2017 was authorised for issue in 
accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 20 February 2018.

The consolidated financial report of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2017 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.

This consolidated financial report is:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 a general purpose financial report which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 
(Cth), Australian Accounting Standards and other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board 
(“AASB”);

 compliant with Australian Accounting Standards as issued by the AASB and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) 
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, including new and amended accounting standards issued and 
effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017;

 presented in United States dollars (“US$”);

 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 financial assets not recorded at amortised cost, which are measured at fair value; and

 rounded to the nearest million dollars, unless otherwise stated, in accordance with ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/
Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191. 

1.2  KEY EVENTS IN THE CURRENT PERIOD

The financial position and performance of the Group was particularly impacted by the following events and transactions during the year:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 production of 59.5 mmboe (2016: 61.6 mmboe), and sales of 83.4 mmboe (2016: 84.1 mmboe); 

 sale of non-core assets resulting in $145 million in proceeds with a gain on disposal of $79 million; 

 average realised oil price of $57.85 per barrel compared to $46.43 per barrel in 2016; 

 issue of US$800 million 10-year Reg-S bond in August 2017; 

 redemption of €1 billion Subordinated Notes, redeemed on first call in September 2017; 

 net debt reduced to $2,731 million at 31 December 2017, from $3,492 million at 31 December 2016; and

 completion of the 2016 Share Purchase Plan during February 2017, resulting in an increase in issued capital of $153 million,  
less issue costs of $2 million.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 61

 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 1: Basis of Preparation

1.3  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 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 disclosed in the following notes:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Note 2.4 Taxation 

 Note 3.1 Exploration and evaluation assets

 Note 3.2 Oil and gas assets – Estimates of reserve quantities

 Note 3.3 Impairment of non-current assets

 Note 3.4 Restoration obligations and other provisions

In addition to the significant judgements referenced above, other areas of estimation and judgement are highlighted throughout the 
financial report.

1.4  FOREIGN CURRENCY

Functional and presentation currency

The Group’s financial statements are presented in United States dollars (“US$”), as that presentation currency most reliably reflects the 
global business performance of the Group as a whole and is more comparable with our peers.

The functional currency of the Parent is Australian dollars (“A$”). 

The assets, liabilities, income and expenses of non-US dollar denominated functional operations are translated into US dollars using the 
following applicable exchange rates:

Foreign currency amount

Income and expenses
Assets and liabilities 
Equity
Reserves
Statement of cash flows 

Applicable exchange rate

Average rate prevailing for the relevant period 
Period-end rate
Historical rate
Historical and period-end rate 
Average rate prevailing for the relevant period

Foreign exchange differences resulting from translation to presentation currency are initially recognised in the foreign currency 
translation reserve and subsequently transferred to the income statement on disposal of the operation.

The period-end exchange rate used was A$/US$ 1:0.7809 (2016: 1:0.7221).

Transactions and balances

Transactions in currencies other than an entity’s functional currency 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 currencies other than an entity’s 
functional currency 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 currencies other than an entity’s functional currency 
are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the initial transaction. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 
currencies other than an entity’s functional currency 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 (the functional currency of the Parent) 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. 

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.

Also refer to note 5.5(c) Foreign currency risk for further details on the net investment hedge in place.

62 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 2: Financial Performance 

This section focuses on the operating results and financial performance of the Group. It includes disclosures of segmental 
financial information, taxes, dividends and earnings per share, including the relevant accounting policies adopted in each area. 

2.1  SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Group has identified its operating segments to be the five key assets/operating areas of the Cooper Basin, Queensland, Papua 
New Guinea (“PNG”), Northern Australia, and Western Australia (“WA”) Gas, based on the nature and geographical location of the 
assets, plus “Other” non-core assets. 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. 

Segment performance is measured based on earnings before interest, tax, impairment, exploration and evaluation, depletion, 
depreciation and amortisation (“EBITDAX”). Corporate and exploration expenditure and inter-segment eliminations are included in the 
segment disclosure for reconciliation purposes.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 63

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 2: Financial Performance 

2.1 SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

US$million 

Revenue  
Sales to external customers 
Inter-segment sales1 
Other revenue from external customers 

Total segment revenue 

Costs 
Production costs 
Other operating costs 
Third-party product purchases 
Inter-segment purchases1 
Other 

EBITDAX 
Depreciation and depletion 
Exploration and evaluation expensed 
Net impairment reversal/(loss) 
Change in future restoration assumptions  

EBIT 
Net finance costs 

Loss before tax 
Income tax benefit 
Royalty-related tax benefit/(expense)  

Net loss  

Asset additions and acquisitions:    
Exploration and evaluation assets  
Oil and gas assets2 

Cooper 

Basin  Queensland 
2017 
2017 

  Northern 
Australia 
2017 

PNG 
2017 

754 
50 
29 

833 

(134) 
(88) 
(200) 
(1) 
(82) 

328 
(194) 
– 
479 
– 

613 

731 
27 
  6 

764 

(68) 
(73) 
(275) 
(34) 
15 

329 
(196) 
– 
(1,238) 
5 

526 
– 
6 

532 

(55) 
(46) 
(1) 
– 
– 

430 
(113) 
– 
– 
1 

(1,100) 

318 

153 
– 
– 

153 

(75) 
– 
– 
– 
9 

87 
(54) 
– 
– 
– 

33 

WA 
Gas 
2017 

242 
– 
20 

262 

(54) 
(20) 
– 
– 
13 

201 
(78) 
– 
– 
– 

123 

339 
2 
5 

346 

(123) 
(13) 
– 
– 
13 

223 
(82) 
– 
(170) 
25 

(4) 

5 

2 

– 

3 

(29) 

10 

11 
146 

157 

8 
196 

204 

– 
9 

9 

44 
(5) 

39 

– 
84 

84 

21 
16 

37 

Corporate, 
exploration, 
eliminations 
2017 

Other 
2017 

Total
2017

362 
(79) 
(1) 

3,107
–
65

282 

3,172

28 
(70) 
(220) 
35 
(225) 

(170) 
(25) 
(94) 
(9) 
– 

(298) 
(270) 

211 
23 

58 
– 

58 

(481)
(310)
(696)
–
(257)

1,428
(742)
(94)
(938)
31

(315)
(270)

(585)
211
14

(360)

142
446

588

1. 

2. 

Inter-segment pricing is determined on an arm’s length basis. Inter-segment sales and purchases are eliminated on consolidation.

Includes impact on restoration assets following changes in future restoration provision assumptions (refer note 3.4). 

2017 Revenue from external customers 
by geographical location
US$million

2017 Non-current assets by geographical location 
(excluding financial and deferred tax assets)
US$million

Australia 

Papua New Guinea 

Vietnam 

Indonesia 

Total 

2,384

532

138

118

3,172

Australia 

7,020

Papua New Guinea 

2,784

Other countries 

Total 

360

10,164

64 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.1 SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

Corporate, 
exploration, 
eliminations 
2016 

Other 
2016 

Total
2016

Cooper 

Basin  Queensland 
2016 
2016 

  Northern 
Australia 
2016 

PNG 
2016 

716 
33 
19 

768 

(160) 
(77) 
(201) 
(18) 
(54) 

258 
(178) 
– 
(49) 
– 

521 
13 
6 

540 

(61) 
(74) 
(142) 
(75) 
3 

191 
(192) 
– 
(1,500) 
– 

439 
– 
5 

444 

(56) 
(38) 
(1) 
– 
1 

350 
(105) 
– 
– 
– 

31 

(1,501) 

245 

145 
– 
– 

145 

(73) 
– 
– 
– 
14 

86 
(46) 
– 
– 
– 

40 

WA 
Gas 
2016 

184 
– 
– 

184 

(46) 
(5) 
– 
– 
73 

206 
(72) 
– 
– 
– 

134 

405 
4 
2 

411 

(166) 
(16) 
(3) 
– 
20 

246 
(114) 
– 
54 
37 

223 

2 

(3) 

– 

(4) 

(18) 

(7) 

184 
(50) 
1 

2,594
–
33

135 

2,627

42 
(116) 
(197) 
93 
(95) 

(138) 
(34) 
(138) 
(66) 
– 

(520)
(326)
(544)
–
(38)

1,199
(741)
(138)
(1,561)
37

(376)  (1,204)
(281)
(281) 

445 
23 

(1,485)
445
(7)

(1,047)

US$million 

Revenue  
Sales to external customers 
Inter-segment sales1 
Other revenue from external customers 

Total segment revenue 

Costs 
Production costs 
Other operating costs 
Third-party product purchases 
Inter-segment purchases1 
Other 

EBITDAX 
Depreciation and depletion 
Exploration and evaluation expensed 
Net impairment (loss)/reversal 
Change in future restoration assumptions  

EBIT 
Net finance costs 

Loss before tax 
Income tax benefit 
Royalty-related tax benefit/(expense)  

Net loss  

Asset additions and acquisitions:    
Exploration and evaluation assets  
Oil and gas assets2 

9 
37 

46 

1 
241 

242 

– 
14 

14 

2 
36 

38 

10 
75 

85 

37 
 (33) 

4 

94 
– 

94 

153
370

523

1. 

2. 

Inter-segment pricing is determined on an arm’s length basis. Inter-segment sales and purchases are eliminated on consolidation.

Includes impact on restoration assets following changes in future restoration provision assumptions (refer note 3.4). 

2016 Revenue from external customers 
by geographical location
US$million

2016 Non-current assets by geographical location 
(excluding financial and deferred tax assets)
US$million

Australia 

Papua New Guinea 

Indonesia 

Vietnam 

Total 

1,923

443

138

123

2,627

Australia 

7,622

Papua New Guinea 

2,840

Other countries 

Total 

622

11,084

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 2: Financial Performance 

2.2  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. Generally, under these terms the local government retains title to the resources, and is therefore entitled to its share of the 
production and revenue, after allowing for the joint venture partners to extract and sell their share of hydrocarbons to recover specified 
costs and a profit margin.

During the year, revenue from one customer amounted to $358 million (2016: $324 million), arising from sales from two segments of the 
Group.

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. 

Sales revenue 

Product sales: 

Gas, ethane and liquefied natural gas 
Crude oil  
Condensate and naphtha 
Liquefied petroleum gas 

Total product sales1 

1.  Total product sales include third-party product sales of $926 million (2016: $643 million).

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

2,205 
579 
235 
88 

3,107 

1,784
575
183
52

2,594

66 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.3  EXPENSES   

Cost of sales: 

Production costs: 

Production expenses 
Production facilities operating leases 

Total production costs 

Other operating costs: 

LNG plant costs 
Pipeline tariffs, processing tolls and other 
Fair value (gains)/losses on onerous pipeline contracts 
Royalty and excise 
Shipping costs 

Total other operating costs 

Total cash cost of production 

Depreciation of plant, equipment and buildings 
Depletion of subsurface assets 

Total depreciation and depletion 

Third-party product purchases 
Decrease in product stock 

Total cost of sales 

Other expenses: 
Selling 
Corporate 
Depreciation 
Foreign exchange losses/(gains)  
Fair value hedges, (gains)/losses: 
On the hedging instrument  
On the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk 
Fair value losses on commodity derivatives (oil hedges) 
Exploration and evaluation expensed 
Other 

Total other expenses 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

412 
69 

481 

63 
181 
(16) 
64 
18 

310 

791 

472 
268 

740 

696 
45 

469
51

520

58
174
29
43
22

326

846

463
273

736

544
27

2,272 

2,153

18 
84 
2 
153 

43 
(57) 
63 
94 
11 

411 

19
88
5
(34)

59
(19)
14
138
14

284

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 2: Financial Performance 

2.4  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 in relation to items recognised directly 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. 

Current income tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from, 
or paid to, the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively 
enacted at the reporting date in the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income.

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. The head entity and the controlled entities in the tax-consolidated group 
continue to account for their own current and deferred tax amounts. 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 and a tax sharing 
agreement.

Royalty-related tax

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (“PRRT”), Resource Rent Royalty and Timor-Leste’s Additional Profits Tax are accounted for as income tax.

68 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report2.4  TAXATION (CONTINUED)

Current income tax and royalty-related tax recognised in the income statement for the Group are as follows:

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

(a)  Income tax expense/(benefit) 
Current tax expense/(benefit) 
Current year 
Adjustments for prior years 

Deferred tax benefit 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 
Adjustments for prior years 

Total income tax benefit 

(b)  Royalty-related tax expense 

Current tax expense 
Current year 

Deferred tax benefit 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 

Total royalty-related tax (benefit)/expense 

(c)  Numerical reconciliation between pre-tax net loss and tax benefit 

Loss before tax 

Prima facie income tax benefit at 30% (2016: 30%) 
(Decrease)/increase 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 
Royalty-related tax (benefit)/expense 

Total tax benefit 

144 
(5) 

139 

(336) 
(14) 

(350) 

(211) 

9 

9 

(23) 

(23) 

(14) 

(585) 

(176) 

51 
5 
(71) 
(19) 
(1) 

(211) 
(14) 

(225) 

86
(12)

74

(510)
(9)

(519)

(445)

14

14

(7)

(7)

7

(1,485)

(446)

(2)
3
14
(21)
7

(445)
7

(438)

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 2: Financial Performance 

2.4  TAXATION (CONTINUED)

(d)  Deferred tax assets and liabilities

 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 for: 

• 

• 

 the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting or taxable profit; nor 

 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.

Significant judgement – Deferred taxes recognised

The calculation of the Group’s tax charge involves a degree of estimation and judgement in respect of certain items 
for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. 

The Group recognises deferred tax assets only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will  
be available against which the asset can be utilised. Future taxable profits are estimated by internal budgets and 
forecasts. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit  
will be realised.

 Assets 

Liabilities 

Net

Recognised deferred tax assets 
and liabilities 

2017 
US$million 

2016 

2017 
US$million  US$million 

2016 

2017 
US$million  US$million 

2016
US$million

Exploration and evaluation assets 
Oil and gas assets 
Other assets 
Derivative financial instruments 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
Provisions 
Royalty-related tax 
Other items 
Tax value of carry-forward  
losses recognised 

Tax assets/(liabilities) 
Set-off of tax 

Net tax assets/(liabilities) 

49  
116  
75  
6  
66  
51  
– 
– 

1,046  

1,409  
10  

1,419  

28 
15 
10  
85  
162  
82  
– 
– 

660  

1,042  
12  

1,054  

(46) 
– 
(115) 
– 
– 
– 
(15) 
(54) 

– 

(230) 
(10) 

(240) 

(66) 
– 
(46) 
– 
– 
– 
(60) 
(37) 

3  
116  
(40) 
6  
66  
51  
(15) 
(54) 

– 

1,046  

(209) 
(12) 

(221) 

1,179  
– 

1,179  

(38)
15
(36)
85 
162 
82 
(60)
(37)

660 

833 
– 

833 

70 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.4  TAXATION (CONTINUED)

Accounting judgement and estimate – Deferred taxes unrecognised 

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the following items set out below, 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 $65 million (2016: $64 million) will expire between 2021 and 2028.  
The remaining deductible temporary differences and tax losses do not expire under current tax legislation.

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 tax (net of income tax) 
Other deductible temporary differences 
Tax losses 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

4,705 
5,751 
162 
327 

10,945 

5,705
5,284
128
373

11,490

2.5  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 adjusting basic earnings per share by 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:

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

Earnings used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share 

(360) 

(1,047)

The weighted average number of shares used for the purpose of calculating diluted earnings per share reconciles to the number used to 
calculate basic earnings per share as follows:

Basic earnings per share 
Dilutive potential ordinary shares1 

Diluted earnings per share 

Earnings per share attributable to the equity holders of Santos Limited 

Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 

2017 
  Number of shares 

2016
Number of shares

2,078,858,067 
– 

1,797,896,876
– 

2,078,858,067 

1,797,896,876

2017 
¢ 

(17.3) 
(17.3) 

2016
¢

(58.2)
(58.2)

1.  Due to a net loss after tax in 2017 and 2016, potential ordinary shares are anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 71

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 2: Financial Performance 

2.6  DIVIDENDS

Dividends are recognised as a liability at the time the Directors resolve to pay or declare the dividend.

Dividends recognised during the year 

2017 
No dividends were recognised during 2017. 

2016  
Final 2015 ordinary – paid 30 March 2016 (A$0.05) 

Dividends declared in respect of the year 

2017  
No dividends were declared in respect of 2017. 

2016  
No dividends were declared in respect of 2016. 

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 refund of the current tax receivable at 31 December 

Dividend 
per share 
US¢ 

Total 
US$million

4 

4 

66

66

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

399 

363

72 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.7  OTHER INCOME

Other income is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, when significant risks and rewards have been 
transferred to the buyer or when the service has been performed. 

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.

Note 

 3.4 

Other income 
Liquidated damages of gas sales agreement  
Change in future restoration assumptions  
Gain on sale of non-current assets 
Insurance proceeds 
Other 

Total other income 

Net gain on sale of non-current assets: 

Proceeds on disposals 
Adjusted for:

Book value of exploration and evaluation assets disposed 
Book value of oil and gas assets disposed 
Book value of other land, buildings, plant and equipment disposed 
Book value of working capital disposed 

Total net gain on sale of non-current assets 

Comprising: 

Net gain/(loss) on sale of exploration and evaluation assets 
Net gain on sale of oil and gas assets 
Net (loss)/gain on sale of other land, buildings, plant and equipment  
Net gain on liquidation of controlled entities 

Reconciliation to cash inflows from proceeds on disposal of non-current assets:   
Proceeds after recoupment of current year exploration and evaluation expenditure 
Amounts receivable  

Amounts received from disposals 

Total proceeds on disposal of non-current assets 

Comprising: 

Proceeds from disposal of exploration and evaluation assets 
Proceeds from disposal of oil and gas assets 
Proceeds from disposal of other land, buildings, plant and equipment 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

– 
31 
79 
– 
13 

123 

145 

2 
(62) 
(4) 
(2) 

79 

10 
60 
(1) 
10 

79 

145 
– 

145 

145 

3 
134 
8 

145 

69
37
25
10
16

157

447

–
(162)
(5)
(255)

25

(2)
13
8
6

25

447
–

447

447

–
432
15

447

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 73

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 3: Capital Expenditure, Operating Assets  
and Restoration Obligations 

This section includes information about the assets used by the Group to generate profits and revenue, specifically information 
relating to exploration and evaluation assets, oil and gas assets, associated restoration obligations, and commitments for capital 
expenditure not yet recognised as a liability.

The life cycle of the Group’s assets is summarised as follows: 

Exploration  
and evaluation 

Appraisal drilling

Development

Production

Decommissioning

Abandonment 
and restoration

3.1  EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

Exploration and evaluation expenditure

Exploration and evaluation activity involves the search for hydrocarbon resources, the determination of technical feasibility and the 
assessment of commercial viability of an identified resource. 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 cost of successful wells and appraisal costs relating to 
determining development feasibility, which are capitalised as intangible exploration and evaluation assets.

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:

• 

• 

such expenditure is expected to be recovered through successful development and commercial exploitation of the area of 
interest or, alternatively, by its sale; or

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.

No amortisation is charged during the exploration and evaluation phase. 

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.

Exploration licence and leasehold property acquisition costs are capitalised as intangible assets. Licence costs paid in connection with a 
right to explore in an existing exploration area are capitalised and amortised over the term of the permit.

74 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
3.1  EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS (CONTINUED)

Significant judgement – Exploration and evaluation

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 resources 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 impaired through the 
income statement.

Cost 
Less: Impairment 

Balance at 31 December 

Reconciliation of movements 
Balance at 1 January  
Acquisitions  
Additions  
Transfer to assets held for sale 
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 
Pending determination of success 

3.2  OIL AND GAS ASSETS

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

2,012 
(1,553) 

459 

495 
48 
94 
– 
(17) 
(163) 
– 
(13) 
15 

459 

95 
253 
111 

459 

1,805
(1,310)

495

520
37
116
(28)
(71)
(59)
(1)
(15)
(4)

495

150
249
96

495

Oil and gas assets are usually single oil or gas fields being developed for future production or that 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 from the exploration and evaluation phase. Expenditure on the construction, 
installation or completion of infrastructure facilities such as platforms, pipelines, and the drilling of development wells, as well as 
exploration and evaluation costs, are capitalised as tangible assets within oil and gas assets. Other subsurface expenditures include  
the costs of de-watering coal seam gas fields to provide access to coal seams to enable production from coal seam gas reserves.  
De-watering costs include the costs of extracting, transporting, treating and disposing of water during the development phase of  
the coal seam gas fields.

When commercial operation commences, the accumulated costs are transferred to oil and gas producing assets.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 3: Capital Expenditure, Operating Assets  
and Restoration Obligations 

3.2  OIL AND GAS ASSETS (CONTINUED)

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.

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 note in 3.1. 
Exploration and evaluation amounts capitalised in respect of oil and gas assets are separately disclosed in the table below.

Depreciation and depletion

Depreciation charges are calculated to write off the 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. 

Depreciation of onshore buildings, plant and equipment and corporate assets is calculated using the straight-line method of depreciation 
from the date the asset is available for use, unless a units of production method represents a more reasonable allocation of the asset’s 
depreciable value 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  

 Pipelines   

  20 – 50 years

  10 – 30 years

 Plant and facilities    10 – 50 years

Depreciation of offshore plant and equipment is calculated using the units of production method from the date of commencement of 
production.

Significant judgement – Estimates of reserve quantities

The estimated quantities of Proved plus Probable (“2P”) hydrocarbon reserves reported by the Group are integral 
to the calculation of depletion and depreciation expense and are incorporated into the assessment of 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 and procedures 
for reserves estimation which conform to guidelines prepared by the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Accounting judgement and estimate – Depletion charges 

Depletion and certain depreciation charges are calculated using the units of production method. This is based on 
barrels of oil equivalent which will amortise the cost of carried forward exploration, evaluation and subsurface 
development expenditure (“subsurface assets”) over the life of the estimated 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.

76 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
3.2  OIL AND GAS ASSETS (CONTINUED)

2017 

2016

Subsurface 
assets 

Plant and 
Total 
equipment 
US$million  US$million  US$million 

Subsurface 
assets 
US$million 

Plant and 
equipment 
US$million 

Total
US$million

8,985 

15,442 

24,427 

9,244 

15,652 

24,896

(6,847) 

(8,044) 

(14,891) 

(7,467) 

(7,031) 

(14,498)

Cost  
Less:  Accumulated depreciation,  

depletion and impairment 

Balance at 31 December 

2,138 

7,398 

9,536 

1,777 

8,621 

10,398

Reconciliation of movements 
Assets in development 
Balance at 1 January 
Additions1 
Transfer from exploration and  

evaluation assets 

Disposals  
Transfer to oil and gas assets  

in production 
Exchange differences 

Balance at 31 December 

Producing assets 
Balance at 1 January 
Additions1  
Transfer from exploration and  

evaluation assets 

Transfer from oil and gas assets  

in development 

Disposals  
Depreciation and depletion  
Net impairment reversals/(losses) 
Transfer of assets held for sale 
Net impairment losses on assets  

transferred to held for sale 

Exchange differences 

Balance at 31 December 

Total oil and gas assets 

Comprising: 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure  

pending commercialisation 

Other capitalised expenditure 

71 
1 

– 
– 

(1) 
2 

73 

1,706 
297 

13 

1 
– 
(268) 
255 
– 

– 
61 

2,065 

2,138 

90 
2,048 

2,138 

19 
28 

– 
– 

(1) 
– 

46 

90 
29 

– 
– 

(2) 
2 

119 

8,602 
120 

10,308 
417 

– 

13 

1 
(4) 
(450) 
(1,020) 
– 

– 
103 

7,352 

7,398 

5 
7,393 

7,398 

2 
(4) 
(718) 
(765) 
– 

– 
164 

9,417 

9,536 

95 
9,441 

9,536 

96 
11 

1 
(2) 

(35) 
– 

71 

2,514 
(14) 

15 

35 
(10) 
(272) 
(521) 
(29) 

– 
(12) 

1,706 

1,777 

202 
1,575 

1,777 

941 
50 

– 
– 

(972) 
– 

19 

8,853 
323 

– 

972 
(38) 
(435) 
(968) 
(97) 

(4) 
(4) 

8,602 

8,621 

21 
8,600 

8,621 

1,037
61

1
(2)

(1,007)
–

90

11,367
309

15

1,007
(48)
(707)
(1,489)
(126)

(4)
(16)

10,308

10,398

223
10,175

10,398

1. 

Includes impact on restoration assets following changes in future restoration provision assumptions (refer note 3.4).

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 3: Capital Expenditure, Operating Assets  
and Restoration Obligations 

3.3  IMPAIRMENT OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS

The carrying amounts of the Group’s oil and gas 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.

Indicators of impairment – Exploration and evaluation assets

The carrying amounts of the Group’s exploration and evaluation assets are reviewed at each reporting date, to determine whether any 
of the following indicators of impairment exists:

• 

• 

• 

• 

 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

 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

 sufficient data exists 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.

Cash-generating units – Oil and gas assets

Oil and gas assets, land, buildings, plant and equipment are assessed for impairment on a cash-generating unit (“CGU”) basis. A CGU is 
the smallest grouping of assets that generates independent cash inflows, and generally represents an individual oil or gas field, or oil and 
gas fields, that are being produced through a common facility. Impairment losses recognised in respect of CGUs are allocated to reduce 
the carrying amount of the assets in the CGU on a pro-rata basis.

Individual assets within a CGU may become impaired if their ongoing use changes or if the benefits to be obtained from ongoing use are 
likely to be less than the carrying value of the individual asset. An impairment loss is recognised in the income statement whenever the 
carrying amount of an asset or its CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. 

78 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
3.3  IMPAIRMENT OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS (CONTINUED)

Recoverable amount

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its fair value less costs of disposal (“FVLCD”) (based on level 3 fair  
value hierarchy) and its value-in-use (“VIU”), using an asset’s estimated future cash flows (as described below) 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. 

Significant judgement – Impairment of oil and gas assets

For oil and gas assets, the expected future cash flow estimation is 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. 

The estimated future cash flows for the VIU calculation are based on estimates, the most significant of which 
are hydrocarbon reserves, future production profiles, commodity prices, operating costs including third-party gas 
purchases and any future development costs necessary to produce the reserves. Under a FVLCD calculation, future 
cash flows are based on estimates of hydrocarbon reserves in addition to other relevant factors such as value 
attributable to additional resource and exploration opportunities beyond 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 prices (US$/bbl) used were:

2018

55.00

2019

60.00

2020

65.00

2021

70.00

20221

77.29

20231

78.83

1.  Based on US$70/bbl (2017 real) from 2022 escalated at 2.0% p.a.

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$1/US$0.75.

The discount rates applied to the future forecast cash flows are based on the 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. The range of pre-tax discount rates that have been applied to non-current assets is 
between 11% and 14%.

In the event that future circumstances vary from these assumptions, the recoverable amount of the Group’s oil and 
gas assets could change materially and result in impairment losses or the reversal of previous impairment losses.

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.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 79

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 3: Capital Expenditure, Operating Assets  
and Restoration Obligations 

3.3  IMPAIRMENT OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS (CONTINUED)

Impairment expense 

Current assets 
Assets held for sale 
Other receivables 

Total impairment of current assets 

Non-current assets 
Exploration and evaluation assets 
Oil and gas assets 
Land and buildings 

Total impairment of non-current assets 

Total impairment 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

– 
5 

5 

163 
765 
5 

933 

938 

4
–

4

59
1,489
9

1,557

1,561

Recoverable amounts and resulting impairment write-downs/(reversals) recognised in the year ended 31 December 2017 are: 

2017 

Exploration and evaluation assets: 
Ande Ande Lumut – Indonesia 
Gunnedah Basin 
Papua New Guinea – PPL 287 

Segment 

Other 
Other 
Exploration 

Total impairment of exploration and evaluation assets   

Oil and gas assets – producing: 

GLNG 
Barrow 
Cooper – unconventional resources3 
Cooper Basin 

Total impairment of oil and gas assets 

Total impairment of exploration  

and evaluation and oil and gas assets 

Queensland 
Other 
Cooper Basin 
Cooper Basin 

Subsurface 
assets 

  Recoverable 
amount1 
US$million  US$million  US$million  US$million

Plant and 
equipment 

Total 

149 
10 
4 

163 

– 
– 
1 
(256) 

(255) 

– 
– 
– 

– 

1,238 
6 
– 
(224) 

1,020 

149 
10 
4 

163 

1,238 
6 
1 
(480) 

765 

(92) 

1,020 

928 

nil2
nil2
nil2

4,099
nil
nil
1,388

1.   Recoverable amounts represent the carrying values of assets before deducting the carrying value of restoration liabilities. All producing oil and gas asset amounts are calculated using the 

VIU method, whilst all exploration and evaluation asset amounts use the FVLCD method.

2.  

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets relates to certain individual licences/areas of interest that have been impaired to nil.

3.   Cooper – unconventional resources comprises exploration and evaluation expenditure pending commercialisation within oil and gas assets, producing assets. The impairment in the current 

year relates to Paragoona-ATP 820P.

80 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.3  IMPAIRMENT OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS (CONTINUED)

Exploration and evaluation assets

The impairment of Ande Ande Lumut has arisen mainly from the impact of lower oil prices. 

Oil and gas assets

GLNG

The impairment of GLNG has arisen mainly due to a reduction in the US$ oil price assumption, combined with a higher discount rate 
and lower assumed volumes of third-party gas, partially offset by higher assumed equity gas volumes resulting from positive upstream 
performance and lower costs. 

Cooper Basin

Whilst the Cooper Basin has been impacted by lower US$ oil price assumptions, this has been more than offset by lower forecast 
development and operating costs, combined with increased drilling activity and production, resulting in a reversal of impairment.

Sensitivity analysis

To the extent the CGUs have been written down to their respective recoverable amounts in the current and prior years, any change 
in key assumptions on which the valuations are based would further impact asset carrying values. When modelled in isolation, it is 
estimated that changes in the key assumptions would result in the following additional impairments/lower impairment reversals in 2017 
for the GLNG and Cooper Basin CGUs, respectively:  

Sensitivity 

GLNG 
Cooper Basin 

Production 
decrease 5% 
US$million 

Discount rate  Oil price decrease 
increase 0.50%  US$5/bbl all years 
US$million

US$million 

271 
222 

219 
85 

566
262

As identified above, the impact of changes in key assumptions such as reserves, production levels, commodity prices and discount rates 
are significant on the determination of recoverable amount. Due to the number of factors that could impact any of these assumptions, 
as well as any actions taken to respond to adverse changes, actual future determinations of recoverable amount may vary from those 
stated above.

Recoverable amounts and resulting impairment write-downs/(reversals) recognised in the year ended 31 December 2016 were:

2016 

Exploration and evaluation assets:

Papua New Guinea 
Vietnam 
Gunnedah Basin 

Segment 

Exploration 
Other 
Other 

Total impairment of exploration and evaluation assets   

Oil and gas assets – producing: 

GLNG 
Cooper – unconventional resources3 
Sampang 
Vietnam (Chim Sáo/Dua) 

Total impairment of oil and gas assets 

Total impairment of exploration  

and evaluation and oil and gas assets 

Queensland 
Cooper Basin 
Other 
Other 

Subsurface 
assets 

  Recoverable 
amount1 
US$million  US$million  US$million  US$million

Plant and 
equipment 

Total 

56 
– 
– 

56 

519 
49 
– 
(47) 

521 

– 
2 
1 

3 

981 
– 
(5) 
(8) 

968 

56 
2 
1 

59 

1,500 
49 
(5) 
(55) 

1,489 

nil2
nil2
nil2

5,487 
nil
22
135

577 

971 

1,548 

1.   Recoverable amounts represent the carrying values of assets before deducting the carrying value of restoration liabilities. All producing oil and gas asset amounts are calculated using the 

VIU method, whilst all exploration and evaluation asset amounts use the FVLCD method.

2.  

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets relates to certain individual licences/areas of interest that have been impaired to nil.

3.   Cooper – unconventional resources comprises exploration and evaluation expenditure pending commercialisation within oil and gas assets, producing assets. The impairment relates to the 

Basin Centered Gas exploration.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 3: Capital Expenditure, Operating Assets  
and Restoration Obligations 

3.4  RESTORATION OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS

Provisions for future removal and environmental restoration costs 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 future 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 and 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. 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. 
In the event the restoration provision is reduced, the cost of the related oil and gas asset is reduced by an amount not exceeding its 
carrying value. If the decrease in restoration provision exceeds the carrying amount of the asset, the excess is recognised immediately in 
the income statement as other income.

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.

Significant judgement – 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, and the 
extent of restoration activities required.

The Group has recorded provisions for restoration obligations as follows:

Current provision 
Non-current provision 

Movements in the provision during the financial year are set out below:

Balance at 1 January 2017 
Provisions made during the year 
Provisions used during the year 
Unwind of discount  
Change in discount rate 
Exchange differences 

Balance at 31 December 2017 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

85 
1,443 

1,528 

69
1,399

1,468

Total restoration
US$million

1,468
9
(40)
45
(19)
65

1,528

Payments made into escrow accounts relating to future restoration obligations of $68 million (2016: $62 million) are included within 
other non-current financial assets (note 5.5(g)).

82 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.4  RESTORATION OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS (CONTINUED)

Other provisions

In addition to the provision for restoration shown above, other items for which a provision has been recorded are:

Current   
Employee benefits  
Onerous lease provisions 

Non-current   
Employee benefits 
Defined benefit obligations  
Onerous pipeline contracts  

Note 

2017 
US$million 

2016 
US$million

7.1 

7.1 

49 
8 

57 

8 
1 
42 

51 

45
7

52

10
3
52

65

3.5  COMMITMENTS FOR EXPENDITURE

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.

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 2017, the Group recognised $69 million (2016: $51 million) as an expense in the income statement in 
respect of operating leases.

The Group has the following commitments for expenditure for which no liabilities have been recorded in the financial statements as the 
goods or services have not been received, including non-cancellable operating lease rentals:

Capital  

Minimum exploration  

 Operating lease 

Commitments 

2017 
US$million 

2016 

2017 
US$million  US$million 

2016 

2017 
US$million  US$million 

2016
US$million

Not later than one year 
Later than one year but not later  

than five years 
Later than five years 

124 

18 
– 

142 

161 

14 
– 

175 

46 

334 
13 

393 

80 

292 
– 

372 

65 

128 
78 

271 

83

129
93

305

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 4: Working Capital Management

This section provides information about the Group’s working capital balances and management, including cash flow 
information. Cash flow management is a significant consideration in running our business in an efficient and resourceful 
manner. We also consider inventories which contribute to the business platform for generating profits and revenues.

4.1  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and short-term deposits that are readily convertible to cash, are subject to an 
insignificant risk of changes in value, and generally have an original maturity of three months or less.

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.

Cash at bank and in hand 
Short-term deposits 

(a)  Restricted cash balances

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

384 
847 

1,231 

392
1,634

2,026

 In accordance with the terms of the PNG LNG project financing, cash relating to the Group’s interest in undistributed cash flows 
from the PNG LNG project is required to be held in secured bank accounts. As at 31 December 2017, $135 million (2016: $122 
million) was held in these accounts.

(b)  Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities 

Loss after income tax 
Add/(deduct) non-cash items: 
Depreciation and depletion 
Exploration and evaluation expensed 
Net impairment loss 
Net loss on fair value derivatives 
Share-based payment expense 
Unwind of the effect of discounting on provisions 
Foreign exchange losses/(gains)  
Other 

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: 

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables 
Decrease in inventories 
Decrease in other assets 
Increase in net deferred tax assets 
Increase in current tax liabilities 
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables 
Decrease in provisions 

Net cash provided by operating activities 

(c)   Non-cash financing and investing activities 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

(360) 

(1,047)

742 
17 
938 
49 
10 
45 
153 
(107) 

1,487 

(62) 
55 
14 
(292) 
21 
46 
(21) 

1,248 

741
71
1,561
54
11
41
(34)
(94)

1,304

25
15
35
(500)
75
(82)
(15)

857

Santos Dividend Reinvestment Plan 

– 

23

84 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.1  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (CONTINUED)

(d)  Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities to financing cash flows

Short-term 
borrowings 
Total 
US$million  US$million  US$million  US$million  US$million  US$million 

Long-term 
borrowings 

Finance 
lease 
liabilities 

Liabilities 
held to 
hedge 
borrowings 

Assets 
held to 
hedge 
borrowings 

Balance as at 1 January 2017 
Financing cash flows1 
Non-cash changes: 

Effect of changes in exchange rates 
Changes in fair values 
Reclassification to current liability 
Other  

Balance as at 31 December 2017 

419 
(432) 

– 
(6) 
222 
3 

206 

4,755 
(1,010) 

144 
(14) 
(222) 
21 

3,674 

65 
– 

– 
(2) 
– 
– 

63 

349 
(217) 

(144) 
12 
– 
– 

– 

(84) 
– 

5,504
(1,659)

– 
23 
– 
– 

–
13
–
24

(61) 

3,882

1.  Financing cash flows consist of the net amount of proceeds from borrowings and repayments of borrowings in the statement of cash flows. 

4.2  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

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 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.

Current   
Trade receivables 
Other receivables 

Non-current  
Other receivables 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

334 
106 

440 

– 

269
98

367

5

Due to the nature of the Group’s receivables, their carrying amount is considered to approximate their fair value. 

The Group applies the simplified approach to providing for expected credit losses for all trade receivables as set out in note 5.5(e).

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 4: Working Capital Management

4.3  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:

• 

• 

 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.

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  

4.4  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

167 
99 

266 

  29 

219
102

321

47

Trade and other payables are recognised when the related goods or services are received, at the amount of cash or cash equivalents 
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.

Trade payables  
Non-trade payables 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

416 
79 

495 

417
103

520

The carrying amounts of trade and other payables are considered to approximate their fair values, due to their short-term nature. 

86 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 5: Funding and Risk Management

Our business has exposure to capital, credit, liquidity and market risks. This section provides information relating to our 
management of, as well as our policies for measuring and managing, these risks. 

Capital risk management objectives

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 to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (“Debt-to-EBITDA”). The Group monitors 
these capital structure metrics on both an actual and forecast basis. 

At 31 December 2017 Santos Limited’s corporate credit rating was BBB- (stable outlook) from Standard & Poor’s.

5.1  INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Subsequent to initial 
recognition, interest-bearing loans and 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. The fair values of the Group’s 
interest-bearing loans and borrowings are shown below. 

Fixed-rate notes that are hedged by interest rate swaps are recognised at fair value.

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.

Current   
Bank loans – secured  
Bank loans – unsecured 
Long-term notes 
Finance leases 

Non-current  
Bank loans – secured 
Bank loans – unsecured 
Long-term notes 
Subordinated notes 
Finance leases 

Ref  

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(e) 

(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
(e) 

141 
65 
– 
1 

207 

1,475 
992 
1,207 
– 
62 

3,736 

132
82
205
1

420

1,617
1,653
413
1,072
64

4,819

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 5: Funding and Risk Management

5.1  INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS (CONTINUED)

The Group’s weighted average interest rate on interest-bearing liabilities is 5.15% for the year ended 31 December 2017 (2016: 4.79%).

PNG LNG

US dollars 
$1,692 million (2016: $1,838 million) 
$1,692 million (2016: $1,838 million)  
$1,616 million (2016: $1,749 million) including prepaid amounts 
5.37% (2016: 4.97%) 
2024–2026 
 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 commercial banks and export credit agencies, bear fixed and floating rates of 
interest and have final maturity dates of June 2024 and June 2026 respectively.

Assets pledged as security and restricted cash

 The PNG LNG facilities include security over assets and entitlements of the participants 
in respect of the project. The total carrying value of the Group’s assets pledged as 
security is $2,852 million at 31 December 2017 (2016: $2,959 million).

 As referred to in note 4.1, 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. 

Term bank loans

US dollars 
Nil (2016: $17 million) 
Nil (2016: $17 million) 
Nil (2016: $17 million) 
1.35% (2016: 0.87%) 
2017

Export credit agency supported loan facilities

US dollars 
$1,065 million (2016: $1,730 million) 
$1,065 million (2016: $1,730 million) 
$1,057 million (2016: $1,718 million) including prepaid amounts 
2.83% (2016: 2.64%) 
2017–2024 
Loan facilities are supported by various export credit agencies.

(a)  Bank loans – secured

Facility  

Currency  
Limit 
Drawn principal 
Accounting balance 
Effective interest rate 
Maturity   
Other 

(b)  Bank loans – unsecured

Facility  

Currency  
Limit 
Drawn principal 
Accounting balance 
Effective interest rate 
Maturity   

Facility  

Currency  
Limit 
Drawn principal 
Accounting balance 
Effective interest rate 
Maturity   
Other 

88 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.1  INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS (CONTINUED)

(c)  Long-term notes

Facility  

Currency  
Limit 
Drawn principal 
Accounting balance 

Effective interest rate 
Maturity   
Other 

Facility  

Currency  
Limit 
Drawn principal 
Accounting balance 
Effective interest rate 
Maturity   
Other 

(d)  Subordinated notes 

Facility  

Currency  
Limit 
Drawn principal 
Accounting balance 

Effective interest rate 
Other 

(e)  Finance leases

US private placement notes

US dollars 
$377 million (2016: $577 million) 
$377 million (2016: $577 million) 
 $424 million (2016: $618 million) including fair value accounting measurement
and prepaid amounts 
1.84% (2016: 1.41%) 
2017–2027 
 Long-term notes bear a fixed interest rate of 6.05% to 6.81% (2016: 6.05% to 6.81%), 
which have been swapped to floating rate commitments.

Regulation-S bond

US dollars 
$800 million (2016: Nil) 
$800 million (2016: Nil) 
$783 million (2016: Nil) including fair value accounting measurement and prepaid amounts 
4.39% (2016: Nil) 
2027 
The bond bears a fixed interest rate of 4.125%.

Subordinated notes

Euro 
Nil (2016: €1,000 million) 
Nil (2016: €1,000 million) 
Nil (2016: $1,072 million) including fair value accounting measurement  
and prepaid amounts 
7.03% (2016: 6.60%) 
The notes were redeemed at the first call date on 22 September 2017.

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 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

10 
37 
115 

162 

(99) 
– 

63 

10
37
124

171

(106)
–

65

 The Group participates in leases of LNG carriers and tug facilities under finance leases. The leases have terms of between 10 and 
20 years with varying renewal options. Title does not pass to the Group on expiration of the relevant lease period.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 5: Funding and Risk Management

5.2  NET FINANCE COSTS

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs relating to major oil and gas assets under development 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 cost of borrowing. Borrowing 
costs incurred after commencement of commercial operations are expensed to the income statement.

All other borrowing costs are recognised in the income statement in the period in which they are incurred.

Interest income

Interest income is recognised in the income statement as it accrues using the effective interest method. 

Finance income: 

Interest income 

Total finance income 

Finance costs: 

Interest paid to third parties 
Deduct borrowing costs capitalised 

Unwind of the effect of discounting on provisions 

Total finance costs 

Net finance costs 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

24 

24 

255 
(6) 

249 
45 

294 

270 

15

15

275
(20)

255
41

296

281

90 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.3  ISSUED CAPITAL

Ordinary share capital

Ordinary share capital is classified as equity. The issued shares do not have a par value and there is no limit on the authorised share 
capital of the Company. 

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 2017 was A$5.45 (2016: A$4.02).

Transaction costs

Transaction costs of an equity transaction are accounted for as a deduction from equity, net of any related income tax benefit. During 
2017 transaction costs of $2 million in respect of capital raisings completed have been deducted from equity.

Movement in ordinary shares 

Balance at 1 January 
Institutional placement, net of costs 
Share purchase plan, net of costs 
Santos Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRP”) 
Santos Employee Share1000 Plan 
Santos Employee ShareMatch Plan 
Shares purchased on-market (Treasury shares) 
Utilisation of Treasury shares on vesting of employee 

share schemes 

Note 

7.2 
7.2 

Shares issued on vesting of Share Acquisition Rights (“SARs”)  7.2 
Shares issued on vesting of Executive Deferred  

Short-Term Incentive (“STI”) 

Shares issued on vesting of Executive Strategy Grant 
Non-executive Director Share Plan 
Replacement of ordinary shares with shares purchased on-market 

2017 
Number 
of shares 

2016 
2017 
Number 
of shares  US$million 

2016 
US$million

2,032,389,675 
– 
50,847,537 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1,766,210,639 
256,000,000 
– 
8,205,002 
297,036 
719,764 
– 

– 
5,365 

– 
– 
– 
(171,698) 

– 
578,818 

253,747 
106,827 
17,842 
– 

8,883 
– 
151 
– 
– 
– 
(8) 

8 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

8,119
738
–
23
1
2
–

–
–

–
–
– 
–

Balance at 31 December 

  2,083,070,879  2,032,389,675 

9,034 

8,883

Included within the Group’s ordinary shares at 31 December 2017 are 25,000 (2016: 25,000) ordinary shares paid to one cent with a 
value of nil (2016: nil).

Treasury shares 

Treasury shares are purchased primarily for use on vesting of employee share schemes. Shares are accounted for at weighted average 
cost. During the period, $8 million of Treasury shares were purchased on-market. 

Movement in Treasury shares 

Balance at 1 January 
Shares purchased on-market  
Treasury shares utilised: 

Santos Employee Share1000 Plan 
Santos Employee ShareMatch Plan 
Utilised on vesting of SARs 
2016 Executive STI (deferred SARs) 
2016 Executive STI (ordinary shares) 
2016 Executive sign-on grants 
Santos Employee Share1000 Plan (relinquished shares) 
Replacement of ordinary shares with shares purchased on-market 

Balance at 31 December 

2017
Note  Number of shares

7.2 
7.2 
7.2 
7.2 

–
2,600,000

(301,584)
(553,416)
(378,945)
(261,011)
(193,977)
(190,688)
39,312
(171,698)

587,993

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 5: Funding and Risk Management

5.4  RESERVES AND RETAINED EARNINGS

The Group’s reserves and retained earnings balances, and movements during the period, are disclosed in the statement of changes in 
equity.

Translation reserve

The translation reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising from the following:

• 

• 

• 

 the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations where their functional currency is different from the functional 
currency of the Parent entity;

 the translation of liabilities that hedge the Company’s net investment in a foreign subsidiary; 

 exchange differences that arise on the translation of the monetary items that form part of the net investment in a foreign 
operation; and

• 

the impact of translation of the Group from Australian dollars to USD presentation currency.

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.

Financial liabilities at fair value through OCI (“FVOCI”) reserve

The financial liabilities at FVOCI reserve includes the component of fair value movements in the Group’s financial liabilities measured at 
fair value that result from changes in the Group’s own credit risk. Such fair value movements were previously recorded in profit or loss 
however, due to adoption of AASB 9 effective from 1 January 2017, these movements are now required to be recorded through other 
comprehensive income and accumulate in this reserve. 

Accumulated profits reserve 

The accumulated profits reserve acts to quarantine profits generated in current and prior periods. The reserve was established during 
2015.

5.5  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 and sensitivity analysis in the case of foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity price risk, and ageing and credit rating 
concentration 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 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.

(a)  Financial instruments

 The Group classifies its financial instruments in the following categories: financial assets at amortised cost, financial assets at fair 
value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”), financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”), financial 
liabilities at amortised cost and derivative instruments. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets 
were acquired, which is determined at initial recognition based upon the business model of the Group.

Financial assets at amortised cost

 The Group classifies its financial assets at amortised cost if the asset is held with the objective of collecting contractual cash 
flows and the contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest. These 
include trade receivables and bank term deposits. Bank term deposits are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable 
payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are financial assets at amortised cost and are included in current assets, 
except for those with maturities greater than 12 months after the reporting date.

92 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
5.5  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(a)  Financial instruments (continued)

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 

 The Group classifies its financial assets at fair value through profit or loss if they are acquired principally for the purpose of selling 
in the short-term, i.e. are held for trading. For assets classified at fair value through profit or loss, the element of gains or losses 
attributable to changes in the Group’s own credit risk are recognised in other comprehensive income. The Group has not elected to 
designate any financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. 

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

 Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income comprise debt securities where the contractual cash flows are 
solely principal and interest and the objective of the Group’s business model is achieved both by collecting contractual cash flows 
and selling financial assets. Upon disposal, any balance within the OCI reserve for these debt investments is reclassified to retained 
earnings. 

Financial liabilities 

 On initial recognition, the Group measures a financial liability at its fair value minus, in the case of a financial liability not at fair value 
through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the issue of the financial liability.

 After initial recognition, trade payables and interest-bearing loans and borrowings are stated at amortised cost. Fixed-rate notes 
that are hedged by an interest rate swap are recognised at fair value. 

Policies for the recognition and subsequent measurement of derivative liabilities are as outlined below.

Derivative instruments 

 Derivative financial instruments entered into by the Group for the purpose of managing its exposures to changes in foreign 
exchange rates and interest rates arising in the normal course of business qualify for hedge accounting. The principal derivatives 
that may be used are forward foreign exchange contracts, cross-currency interest rate swaps and interest rate swaps. Commodity 
derivatives are also used to manage the Group’s exposure to changes in oil prices and do not qualify for hedge accounting. The  
use of derivative financial instruments is subject to a set of policies, procedures and limits approved by the Board of Directors.  
The Group does not trade in derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. 

The Group holds the following financial instruments:

Financial assets 

Financial assets at amortised cost: 

Cash and cash equivalents  
Trade receivables 
Available-for-sale financial assets 
Amounts held in escrow1 

Financial assets at FVTPL:  
Equity investments 

Derivative financial instruments  

1.  Amounts represent cash held in escrow for future restoration obligations relating to certain assets.

2017 
US$million 

2016 
US$million

1,231 
440 
– 
68 

2 
61 

1,805 

2,026
372
8
62

–
84

2,557

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 5: Funding and Risk Management

5.5  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(a)  Financial instruments (continued)

Financial liabilities 

Financial liabilities at amortised cost: 
Trade and other payables 
Borrowings at amortised cost 

Financial liabilities at FVTPL: 

Borrowings at FVTPL 
Derivative financial instruments  
Embedded derivatives  
Other 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

495 
3,519 

424 
79 
– 
23 

4,540 

520
4,620

619
363
3
23

6,148

The Group’s financial instruments resulted in the following income, expenses, gains and losses recognised in the income statement: 

Financial assets and liabilities 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

Interest on cash investments 
Interest on debt held at FVTPL 
Interest on debt held at amortised cost 
Interest on derivative financial instruments 
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss 
Fair value gains/(losses) on debt held at FVTPL 
Fair value gains on debt held at amortised cost 
Fair value losses on derivative financial instruments 
Net impairment expense recognised on trade receivables 
Net foreign exchange (losses)/gains recognised in profit before income tax  

for the period, included in other income and finance costs  

24 
(29) 
(277) 
57 
(7) 
31 
26 
(106) 
(5) 

(153) 

(439) 

15
(37)
(268)
30
–
(17)
36
(73)
–

34

(280)

(b)  Liquidity

 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 tables analyse the contractual maturities of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities held to manage liquidity risk. The 
relevant maturity groupings are based on the remaining period to the contractual maturity date, as at 31 December. 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.

94 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.5  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(b)  Liquidity (continued)

Financial assets and liabilities held to manage liquidity risk   
2017 

Less than 
1 year 

2 to 5  More than
5 years
years 
  US$million  US$million  US$million   US$million

1 to 2 
years 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Derivative financial assets 
Interest rate swap contracts 
Non-derivative financial liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Obligations under finance leases 
Bank loans 
Long-term notes  

1,231 

16 

(495) 
(10) 
(305) 
(57) 

– 

20 

– 
(10) 
(898) 
(207) 

– 

45 

– 
(27) 
(920) 
(356) 

–

5

–
(115)
(1,070)
(985)

380 

(1,095) 

(1,258) 

(2,165)

Financial assets and liabilities held to manage liquidity risk   
2016 

Less than 
1 year 

2 to 5  More than 
5 years
years 
  US$million  US$million  US$million  US$million

1 to 2 
years 

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 
Bank loans 
Long-term notes  
Subordinated debt 

(c)  Foreign currency risk

2,026 

31 

(368) 

(520) 
(9) 
(355) 
(237) 
(1,136) 

(568) 

– 

25 

– 

– 
(9) 
(323) 
(24) 
– 

(331) 

– 

36 

– 

– 
(28) 
(2,124) 
(204) 
– 

(2,320) 

–

11

–

–
(125)
(1,420)
(247)
–

(1,781)

 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, borrowings and capital and operating 
expenditure incurred in currencies other than the functional currency. 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. 

 All foreign currency denominated borrowings of Australian dollar functional currency companies are either designated as a hedge of US 
dollar-denominated investments in foreign operations (2017: $1,407 million; 2016: $824 million), swapped using cross-currency swaps 
to US dollars and designated as a hedge of US dollar-denominated investments in foreign operations (2017: $nil; 2016: $1,410 million), 
or offset by US dollar-denominated cash balances (2017: $835 million; 2016: $1,500 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 2017.

 Monetary items, including financial assets and liabilities, denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of an operation, 
are periodically restated to US 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.

 Sensitivity to foreign currency movement

 Based on the Group’s net financial assets and liabilities at 31 December 2017, the estimated impact of a ±15 cent movement in  
the Australian dollar exchange rate (2016: ±15 cent) against the US dollar, with all other variables held constant is $22 million  
(2016: $5 million) on post-tax profit and $1,374 million (2016: $980 million) on equity.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 5: Funding and Risk Management

5.5  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) 

(d)  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 have been entered into as fair value hedges of long-term notes. When transacted, these swaps had 
maturities ranging from 1 to 20 years, aligned with the maturity of the related notes. 

 The Group’s interest rate swaps have a notional contract amount of $1,577 million (2016: $1,777 million) and a net fair value of $61 
million (2016: $84 million). The net fair value amounts were recognised as fair value derivatives.

Sensitivity to interest rate movement

 Based on the net debt position as at 31 December 2017, taking into account interest rate swaps, it is estimated that if the US 
dollar London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) interest rates changed by ±0.50% (2016: ±0.50%), Euro Interbank Offered Rate 
(“EURIBOR”) changed by ±0.50% (2016: ±0.50%) and Australian Bank Bill Swap reference rate (“BBSW”) changed by ±0.50% 
(2016: ±0.50%), with all other variables held constant, the impact on post-tax profit is nil (2016: $6 million).

 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.

Commodity price risk exposure 

 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 crude oil price swap and option contracts to manage its commodity price risk. At 31 December 2017, the 
Group has 12.5 million barrels of open oil price option contracts (2016: 10.95 million), covering 2018 exposures. The 3-way collar 
option structure utilised does not qualify for hedge accounting, with the movement in fair value recorded in the income statement.

(e)  Credit risk

 Credit risk represents the potential financial loss if counterparties fail to complete their obligations under financial instrument or 
customer contracts. Santos employs credit policies which include monitoring exposure to credit risk on an ongoing basis through 
management of concentration risk and ageing analysis. 

 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 less than 15% of sales revenue.

 The Group considers the probability of default upon initial recognition of the asset and whether there has been a significant 
depreciation in credit quality on an ongoing basis throughout each reporting period. A significant decrease in credit quality is defined 
as a debtor being greater than 30 days past due in making a contractual payment. 

A default on a financial asset is when the counterparty fails to make contractual payments within 60 days of when they fall due. 

 Financial assets are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. The Group categorises a loan or receivable for 
write off when a debtor fails to make contractual repayments greater than 120 days past due. Where loans or receivables have been 
written off, the Group continues to engage in enforcement activity to attempt to recover the receivable due. Where recoveries are 
made, these are recognised in profit or loss.

 At 31 December 2017 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 and fair value of derivative assets.

 The Group applies the simplified approach to providing for expected credit losses prescribed by AASB 9, which permits the use of 
the lifetime expected loss provision for all trade receivables. Under this method, determination of the loss allowance provision and 
expected loss rate incorporates past experience and forward-looking information, including the outlook for market demand and 
forward-looking interest rates. As the expected loss rate at 31 December 2017 is nil (2016: nil), no loss allowance provision has been 
recorded at 31 December 2017 (2016: nil).

96 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.5  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(f)  Fair values

 The financial assets and liabilities of the Group are all initially recognised in the statement of financial position at their fair values. 
Receivables, payables, interest-bearing liabilities and other financial assets and liabilities, which are not subsequently measured at 
fair value, are carried at amortised cost. The following summarises the significant methods and assumptions used in estimating the 
fair values of financial instruments:

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, 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 US dollars at the foreign exchange spot rate prevailing at the 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 US dollars at 
the foreign exchange spot rate prevailing at the reporting date.

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 

2017 
% 

1.4 – 2.5 
1.4 – 2.5 

2016
%

(0.3) – 3.9
(0.3) – 3.9

 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 a 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.

All of the Group’s financial instruments were valued using the Level 2 valuation technique.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 5: Funding and Risk Management

5.5  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(g)  Derivatives and hedging activity 

 The Group early adopted AASB 9 Financial Instruments from 1 January 2017. Upon adoption of AASB 9, the component of fair value 
changes of qualifying instruments relating to the Company’s own credit risk is recognised in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). 
Amounts recorded in OCI related to credit risk are not subject to recycling in profit or loss, but are reclassified to retained earnings 
when realised. The change to hedge accounting is undertaken prospectively, with instruments held by the Group prior to the 
change accounted for in accordance with the previous policy.

 The change in accounting policy allows the Group to manage risk in an effective manner, without the accounting treatment of the 
instruments distorting the reported results.

Refer to note 8.5 for further details of the transition impacts of AASB 9.

 The Group’s accounting policy for fair value and cash flow hedges are as follows:

Types of hedges

Fair value hedges

Cash flow hedges

  What is it?

A derivative or financial instrument designated 
as hedging the change in fair value of a 
recognised asset or liability.

A derivative or financial instrument to hedge the 
exposure to variability in cash flows attributable to 
a particular risk associated with an asset, liability or 
forecast transaction.

Recognition date

At the date the instrument is entered into.

At the date the instrument is entered into.

Measurement

Measured at fair value, being the estimated 
amount that the Group would receive or pay to 
terminate the contracts at the reporting date.

Measured at fair value, being the estimated 
amount that the Group would receive or pay to 
terminate the contracts at the reporting date.

Changes in fair value

The gains or losses on both the derivative or 
financial instrument and hedged asset or liability 
attributable to the hedged risk are recognised in 
the income statement immediately. 

The gain or loss relating to the effective 
portion of interest rate swaps hedging fixed-
rate borrowings is recognised in the income 
statement within finance costs, together with 
loss or gain in the fair value of the hedged fixed-
rate borrowings attributable to interest rate risk.

The gain or loss relating to the ineffective 
portion is recognised in the income statement 
within other income or other expenses.

If the hedge no longer meets the criteria for 
hedge accounting, the adjustment to the 
carrying amount of a hedged item for which the 
effective interest method is used is amortised 
to the income statement over the period to 
maturity using a recalculated effective interest 
rate.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated 
as cash flow hedges are recognised directly in 
other comprehensive income and accumulated in 
equity in the hedging reserve to the extent that 
the hedge is highly effective.

Ineffectiveness is recognised on a cash flow hedge 
where the cumulative change in the designated 
component value of the hedging instrument 
exceeds on an absolute basis the change in value 
of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. 
In hedges of foreign currency purchases this may 
arise if the timing of the transaction changes from 
what was originally estimated.

To the extent that the hedge is ineffective, 
changes in fair value are recognised immediately in 
the income statement within other income or other 
expenses.

Amounts accumulated in equity are transferred to 
the income statement or the statement of financial 
position, for a non-financial asset, at the same time 
as the hedged item is recognised.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, 
terminated or exercised, or when a hedge no 
longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any 
cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that 
time remains in equity and is recognised when the 
underlying forecast transaction occurs.

When a forecast transaction is no longer expected 
to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was 
reported in equity is immediately transferred to the 
income statement.

98 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.5  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(g)  Derivatives and hedging activity (continued)

 Hedge effectiveness is determined at the inception of the hedge relationship, and through periodic prospective effectiveness 
assessments to ensure that an economic relationship exists between the hedged item and hedging instrument. The Group enters 
into hedge relationships where the critical terms of the hedging instrument match exactly with the terms of the hedged item, and 
so a qualitative assessment of effectiveness is performed. If changes in circumstances affect the terms of the hedged item such 
that the critical terms no longer match exactly with the critical terms of the hedging instrument, the Group uses the hypothetical 
derivative method is to assess effectiveness.

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.

 The table below contains all “other financial assets and liabilities” as shown in the statement of financial position, including 
derivative financial instruments used for hedging:

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

Current assets 
Interest rate swap contracts  

Non-current assets 
Interest rate swap contracts 
Available-for-sale assets 
Equity investments 
Amounts held in escrow 
Defined benefit surplus 

Current liabilities 
Cross-currency swap contracts 
Commodity derivatives (oil hedges) 
Other 

Non-current liabilities 
Embedded derivatives 
Other 

– 

– 

61 
– 
2 
68 
3 

134 

– 
79 
3 

82 

– 
20 

20 

7

7

77
8
–
62
5

152

349
14
3

366

3
20

23

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 5: Funding and Risk Management

5.5  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(g)  Derivatives and hedging activity (continued)

The effects of applying hedge accounting on the Group’s financial position and performance are as follows: 

Derivative financial instruments – Interest rate swap contracts 

Carrying amount  
Notional amount 
Maturity date 
Hedge ratio1 
Change in value of outstanding hedging instruments since 1 January  
Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness  

  Weighted average hedged rate 

Derivative financial instruments – Cross-currency swap contracts 

Carrying amount  
Notional amount 
Maturity date 
Hedge ratio1 
Change in value of outstanding hedging instruments since 1 January  
Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness  

  Weighted average hedged rate 

Reserves – Cash flow hedge reserve  

Balance at 1 January  
Add:   Change in fair value of hedging instrument recognised in OCI  

for the year (effective portion)  

Less: Deferred tax  

Balance at 31 December  

Reserves – FVOCI reserve  

Balance at 1 January  
Add:  Change in fair value of hedging instrument recognised in OCI  

for the year (effective portion)  

Less: Deferred tax  

Balance at 31 December  

Reserves – Foreign currency hedge reserve  

Balance at 1 January  
Add:   Change in fair value of hedging instrument recognised in OCI  

for the year (effective portion)  

Less: Deferred tax  

Balance at 31 December  

2017 
US$million 

61 
1,577 
2019–2027 
1:1 
(23) 
23 
1.10% 

2017 
US$million 

– 
– 
– 
1:1 
349 
(349) 
6.83% 

2016
US$million

84
1,777
2017–2027
1:1
(8)
8
1.18%

2016
US$million

(349)
1,410
2017
1:1
(67)
67
6.30%

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

(7) 

3 
(1) 

(5) 

12

(27)
8

(7)

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

– 

32 
(11) 

21 

–

–
–

–

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

707 

(191) 
57 

573 

721

(20)
6

707

1 .  The value of the derivative contract is the same as the value of the underlying instrument that is being hedged. Therefore, the hedge ratio is 1:1. 

100 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 6: Group Structure

This section provides information which will help users understand how the Group structure affects the financial position 
and performance of the Group as a whole. Specifically, it contains information about consolidated entities, acquisitions and 
disposals of subsidiaries, joint arrangements as well as parties to the Deed of Cross Guarantee under which each company 
guarantees the debts of others. 

6.1  CONSOLIDATED ENTITIES

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. The financial 
statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date 
that control ceases.

Acquisitions of subsidiaries are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, and are initially recorded in the parent entity’s 
financial statements at the cost of acquisition less any impairment charges. 

A change in ownership interest of a subsidiary that does not result in the loss of control is accounted for as an equity transaction.

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.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 101

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 6: Group Structure

6.1  CONSOLIDATED ENTITIES (CONTINUED)

Name 

Country of incorporation

Name 

Country of incorporation

Santos Limited1 (Parent Company) 
Controlled entities:  
Alliance Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd1 
Basin Oil Pty Ltd1 
Bridgefield Pty Ltd  
Bridge Oil Developments Pty Ltd1 
Bronco Energy Pty Ltd   
Doce Pty Ltd   
Fairview Pipeline Pty Ltd1 
Gidgealpa Oil Pty Ltd 
Moonie Pipeline Company Pty Ltd 
Reef Oil Pty Ltd1 
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 Ltd1   

Controlled entity of Santos (BOL) Pty Ltd 
Bridge Oil Exploration Pty Ltd 

Santos Browse Pty Ltd   
Santos CSG Pty Ltd 
Santos Darwin LNG Pty Ltd 
Santos Direct 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  
Lavana Ltd 
Sanro Insurance Pte Ltd 
Santos Americas and Europe Corporation 

Controlled entities of Santos Americas  
and Europe Corporation 
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 

102 / Santos Annual Report 2017

AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

USA
AUS
AUS

PNG
PNG
SGP
USA

USA

USA
USA

AUS
USA
GBR
AUS

Controlled entities of Santos International  
Holdings 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 EOM Pty Ltd 
Santos Hides Ltd 
Santos International Pte Ltd5 
Santos International Operations Pty Ltd 
Santos OIG Pty Ltd 
Santos P’nyang Ltd 
Santos Sabah Block R Limited 
Santos Sangu Field Ltd 
Santos (UK) Limited 

Controlled entities of Santos (UK) Limited 
Santos Northwest Natuna B.V.  
Santos Petroleum Ventures B.V. 
Santos Sabah Block S Limited2 

Santos Vietnam Pty Ltd 
Santos (JPDA 91–12) Pty Ltd 
Santos (NARNL Cooper) Pty Ltd1 
Santos NSW Pty Ltd 

Controlled entities of Santos NSW Pty Ltd 
Santos NSW (Betel) Pty Ltd 
Santos NSW (Hillgrove) Pty Ltd 
Santos NSW (Holdings) Pty Ltd 

Controlled entities of Santos  
NSW (Holdings) Pty Ltd 
Santos NSW (LNGN) Pty Ltd 
Santos NSW (Pipeline) Pty Ltd 
Santos NSW (Narrabri Energy) Pty Ltd 
Controlled entity of Santos  
NSW (Narrabri Energy) Pty Ltd 
Santos NSW (Eastern) Pty Ltd 
Santos NSW (Narrabri Power) Pty Ltd 
Santos NSW (Operations) Pty Ltd 

Santos (N.T.) Pty Ltd 

Controlled entity of Santos (N.T.) Pty Ltd 
Bonaparte Gas & Oil Pty Ltd 

Santos Offshore Pty Ltd1 
Santos Petroleum Pty Ltd1 
Santos QLD Upstream Developments Pty Ltd 
Santos QNT Pty Ltd1 

Controlled entities of Santos QNT Pty Ltd 
Outback Energy Hunter Pty Ltd 

AUS

AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
PNG
SGP
AUS
AUS
PNG
GBR
GBR
GBR

NLD
NLD
GBR
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name 

Country of incorporation

Name 

Country of incorporation

Controlled entities of Santos QNT Pty Ltd (cont) 
Santos QNT (No. 1) Pty Ltd1 

Controlled entities of Santos QNT (No. 1) Pty Ltd 
Santos Petroleum Management Pty Ltd 
Santos Petroleum Operations Pty Ltd4 
TMOC Exploration Proprietary Limited 

Santos QNT (No. 2) Pty Ltd 

Controlled entities of Santos QNT (No. 2) Pty Ltd 
Moonie Oil Pty Ltd 
Petromin Pty Ltd 
Santos (299) Pty Ltd3 

Santos TPC Pty Ltd 
Santos Wilga Park Pty Ltd 

Santos Resources Pty Ltd 
Santos (TGR) Pty Ltd 
Santos Timor Sea Pipeline Pty Ltd 

Santos Ventures Pty Ltd  
SESAP Pty Ltd 
Shaw River Power Station Pty Ltd 
Vamgas Pty Ltd1 

Notes

1.  Company is party to a Deed of Cross Guarantee. Refer note 6.5.

2.  Company was deregistered on 21 March 2017.

3. 

In liquidation.

4.  Company was deregistered on 19 December 2017. 

5.  Application to deregister lodged on 18 December 2017. 

Country of incorporation

AUS  

GBR 

NLD  

PNG 

SGP 

USA  

– 

Australia

–  United Kingdom

–  Netherlands

– 

– 

Papua New Guinea

Singapore

–  United States of America

AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

AUS
AUS
AUS
AUS

6.2  ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS OF SUBSIDIARIES

There were no acquisitions or disposals of subsidiaries during 2017.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 6: Group Structure

6.3  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. Santos’ exploration and production 
activities are often conducted through joint arrangements governed by joint operating agreements, production sharing contracts or 
similar contractual relationships. 

The differences between joint operations and joint ventures are as follows: 

Types of arrangement

Joint operation

Joint venture

Characteristics

Rights and obligations

Accounting method

A joint operation involves the joint control, and 
often the joint ownership, of assets contributed 
to, or acquired for the purpose of, the joint 
operation. The assets are used to obtain benefits 
for the parties to the joint operation and are 
dedicated to that purpose. 

Each party has control over its share of future 
economic benefits through its share of the 
joint operation, and has rights to the assets, 
and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the 
arrangement.

The interests of the Group in joint operations are 
brought to account by recognising the Group’s 
share of jointly controlled assets, share of 
expenses and liabilities incurred, and the income 
from its share of the production of the joint 
operation.

The Group has interests in joint ventures, whereby 
the venturers have contractual arrangements that 
establish joint control over the economic activities 
of the entities.

Parties that have joint control of the arrangement 
have rights to the net assets of the arrangement.

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 Group’s 
statement of financial position at cost and adjusted 
thereafter to recognise the post-acquisition 
changes to the Group’s share of net assets of 
the joint venture. 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. Dividends receivable from the joint venture 
reduce the carrying amount of the investment in 
the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

104 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
6.3  JOINT ARRANGEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(a)  Joint operations

The following are the material joint operations in which the Group has an interest:

Joint operation 

Area of cash-generating  
unit/area of interest 

Principal activities 

2017 
% Interest 

2016 
% Interest

Oil and gas assets – Producing assets 
Barrow Island 
Bayu-Undan 
Casino1 
Chim Sáo/Dua 
Fairview 
GLNG Downstream 
Halyard/Spar 
John Brookes 
Madura Offshore  
Mutineer-Exeter/ 

Barrow 
Bayu-Undan 
Victoria 
Vietnam (Block 12W) 
GLNG 
GLNG 
Varanus Island 
Varanus Island 
Madura PSC 
Mutineer-Exeter/

Fletcher Finucane 

Fletcher Finucane 

PNG LNG 
Reindeer 
Roma 
SA Fixed Factor Area 
Sampang  
SWQ Unit 
Exploration and evaluation assets   
EPP43 
EP161, EP162 and EP1892 
Block R 
Caldita/Barossa 
Ande Ande Lumut 
PEL1 and 12 
PEL238 and PAL2 
PPL2693 

PNG LNG 
Reindeer 
GLNG 
Cooper Basin 
Sampang PSC 
Cooper Basin 

Ceduna Basin 
McArthur Basin 
Sabah Block R PSC 
Bonaparte Basin 
Northwest Natuna PSC 
– 
Gunnedah Basin 
PNG Exploration  
Bonaparte Basin 
Bonaparte Basin 
Carnarvon Basin 

  WA-58-R (WA-274-P) 
  WA-323-P 
  WA-49-R4 

1.   Asset sold in 2017.

Oil production 
Gas and liquids production 
Gas production 
Oil and gas production 
Gas production 
LNG facilities 
Gas production 
Gas production 
Gas production 

Oil production 
Gas and liquids production 
Gas production 
Gas production 
Oil and gas production 
Oil and gas production 
Gas production 

Contingent oil or gas resource 
Contingent gas resource 
Oil and gas exploration 
Contingent gas resource 
Oil resource 
Contingent gas resource 
Contingent gas resource 
Oil and gas exploration 
Gas development 
Contingent gas resource 
Contingent gas resource 

28.6 
11.5 
– 
31.9 
22.8 
30.0 
45.0 
45.0 
67.5 

37.5 
13.5 
45.0 
30.0 
66.6 
45.0 
60.1 

50.0 
75.0 
20.0 
25.0 
50.0 
65.0 
80.0 
– 
30.0 
75.0 
31.5 

28.6
11.5
50.0
31.9
22.8
30.0
45.0
45.0
67.5

37.5
13.5
45.0
30.0
66.6
45.0
60.1

50.0
50.0
20.0
25.0
50.0
65.0
80.0
30.0
30.0
75.0
24.8

2.   During 2017 the Group acquired an additional 25% interest, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

3.  Licence has expired and is not being renewed. 

4.   During 2017 the Group acquired an additional 6.7% interest in WA-49-R. In addition, one of the joint venture parties resolved to withdraw from the permit in 2017. Registration of transfer will 

result in Santos’ interest increasing to 35%.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 105

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 6: Group Structure

6.3  JOINT ARRANGEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(b)  Share of investments in joint ventures 

 The Group’s only material joint venture is Darwin LNG Pty Ltd, which operates the Darwin LNG liquefaction facility that 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:

Share of investments in Darwin LNG Pty Ltd 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

Reconciliation to carrying amount: 
Opening net assets 1 January  
Profit for the period 
Reduction in capital 
Dividends paid 

Closing net assets 31 December 

Group’s share (%) 
Group’s share of closing net assets ($million) 

Carrying amount of investments in joint ventures ($million) 

Summarised statement of comprehensive income:  

Profit for the period 
Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income  

Group’s share of profit 

Dividends received from joint venture 

490 
93 
(115) 
(93) 

375 

11.5% 
43 

43 

93 
– 

93 

11 

11 

620
88
(130)
(88)

490

11.5%
56

56

88
–

88

10

10

The following are the joint ventures in which the Group has an interest, including those which are immaterial:

Joint venture 

Darwin LNG Pty Ltd 
GLNG Operations Pty Ltd 
GLNG Property Pty Ltd 
Lohengrin Pty Ltd 

(c)  Income from all joint ventures

A reconciliation of the Group’s total income from all joint ventures:

Share of Darwin LNG Pty Ltd net profits 

Total share of net profits  

2017 
% Interest 

2016
% Interest

11.5 
30.0 
30.0 
– 

11.5
30.0
30.0
50.0

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

11 

11 

10

10

 At 31 December 2017 the Group reassessed the carrying amount of its investments in joint ventures for indicators of 
impairment. As a result, no impairment was recorded (2016: nil).

106 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.4 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 
Accumulated profits reserve 
Other reserves 
Accumulated losses 

Total equity 

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

282 

282 

344 
11,897 

474 
4,564 

9,034 
595 
(556) 
(1,740) 

7,333 

42

43

414
9,757

529
3,390

8,883
313
(1,079)
(1,750)

6,367

Commitments of the parent entity  

The parent entity’s capital expenditure commitments and minimum exploration  
commitments are: 

Capital expenditure commitments 
Minimum exploration commitments 

44 
10 

42
27

Guarantees entered into by the parent entity in relation to the debts of its subsidiaries

All interest-bearing loans and borrowings, as disclosed in note 5.1, with the exception of the finance leases and secured bank loans, are 
arranged through Santos Finance Ltd, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Santos Limited. All interest-bearing loans and borrowings of 
Santos Finance Ltd are guaranteed by Santos Limited.

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. 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 107

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 6: Group Structure

6.5  DEED OF CROSS GUARANTEE

As a condition of the Instrument, the Company and each of the wholly-owned subsidiaries identified in note 6.1 (collectively, “the Closed 
Group”) have entered into a Deed of Cross Guarantee (“the 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.

Pursuant to ASIC Corporations (Wholly-owned Companies) Instrument 2016/785, the wholly-owned subsidiaries within the Closed 
Group are relieved from the Corporations Act 2001 requirements for preparation, audit and lodgement of their financial reports.

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 2017 of the Closed Group. 

Consolidated income statement 
Product sales   
Cost of sales   

Gross profit   
Other revenue 
Other income  
Other expenses 
Impairment of non-current assets 
Interest income 
Finance costs  

Profit before tax 

Income tax expense 
Royalty-related tax expense 

Total tax expense 

Net profit for the period 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
Net profit for the period 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: 
Net actuarial gain on defined benefit plan 

Total comprehensive profit 

Summary of movements in the Closed Group’s accumulated losses: 

Accumulated losses at 1 January 
Opening balance adjustment on adoption of new accounting standard (refer note 8.5) 

Adjusted accumulated losses at 1 January 
Add: Opening retained earnings of companies added during the period 
Transfer to accumulated profits reserve 
Net profit for the period 
Net actuarial gain on defined benefit plan 
Share-based payment transactions 
Less: Retained earnings of companies removed during the period  

Accumulated losses at 31 December 

108 / Santos Annual Report 2017

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

1,200 
(1,015) 

1,147
(1,008)

185 
96 
94 
(130) 
328 
15 
– 

588 

(232) 
(1) 

(233) 

355 

355 

– 

355 

(2,256) 
5 

(2,251) 
– 
(282) 
355 
– 
6 
19 

(2,153) 

139
369
98
(126)
(306)
9
(5)

178

(45)
(15)

(60)

118

118

1

119

(2,133)
–

(2,133)
6
(258)
118
1
10
–

(2,256)

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.5  DEED OF CROSS GUARANTEE (CONTINUED)

Set out below is a consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2017 of the Closed Group.

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Other current assets 

Total current assets 

Non-current assets 
Other financial assets 
Exploration and evaluation assets 
Oil and gas assets 
Other non-current assets 

Total non-current assets 

Total assets   

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Other current liabilities 

Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
Provisions 
Other non-current liabilities 

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 
Issued capital   
Reserves  
Accumulated losses 

Total equity   

89 
3,121 
168 

3,378 

15,736 
166 
2,372 
524 

18,798 

22,176 

4,971 
146 

5,117 

9,188 
1,010 
101 

10,299 

15,416 

6,760 

9,036 
(123) 
(2,153) 

6,760 

130
1,665
268

2,063

7,316
143
1,891
1,064

10,414

12,477

1,339
154

1,493

4,053
1,041
86

5,180

6,673

5,804

8,883
(823)
(2,256)

5,804

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 109

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 7: People

This section includes information relating to the various programs the Group uses to reward and recognise our people.  
It includes details of our employee benefits, share-based payment schemes and key management personnel.

7.1  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 employee service 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 at the present value of the estimated future cash outflows to be made in respect of employee 
service up to the reporting date. 

Defined benefit plan

The Group’s net obligation in respect of the defined benefit superannuation plan is calculated by estimating the discounted amount of 
future benefits that employees have earned in relation to their service in the current and prior periods and deducting the fair value of 
any plan assets.

Actuarial gains or losses that arise in calculating the Group’s obligation in respect of the plan are recognised directly in retained earnings.

Defined benefit members of the Santos Superannuation Plan receive a lump sum benefit on retirement, death, disablement or 
withdrawal. The defined benefit section of the plan is closed to new employees. All new employees receive accumulation-only benefits.

During the period, an expense of $1 million (2016: $2 million) was recorded in relation to the defined benefit plan.

The Group expects to contribute $1 million to the defined benefit superannuation plan in 2018 (2017: $2 million).

Defined contribution plans

The Group makes contributions to several defined contribution superannuation plans. Obligations for contributions are recognised as an 
expense in the income statement as incurred. The amount incurred during the year was $10 million (2016: $12 million).

The following amounts are recognised in the Group’s statement of financial position in relation to employee benefits:

2017 
US$million 

2016
US$million

3 

49 

8 
1 

9 

58 

5

45

10
3

13

58

Non-current assets 
Defined benefit surplus 

Current provisions 
Employee benefits 

Non-current provisions 
Employee benefits 
Defined benefit obligations 

Total non-current provisions 

Total employee benefits provisions 

110 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.2 SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLANS

The Group provides benefits to employees of the Group through share-based incentives. Employees are paid for their services or 
incentivised for their performance in part through shares or rights over shares. 

There are two main share-based payment plans: equity-settled share-based payment plans and cash-settled share-based payment 
plans. The equity-settled plans consist of the general employee share-based payment plans and Executive Long-Term Incentive share-
based payment plans. 

The amounts recognised in the income statement of the Group during the financial year in relation to shares issued under the share 
plans are summarised as follows:

Note 

2017 
US$000 

2016
US$000

Employee expenses: 

General employee share plans: 

Share1000 Plan  
ShareMatch Plan (matched SARs)  

Executive Long-Term Incentive share-based payment plans –  
equity settled  
Executive Short-Term Incentive share-based payment plans –  
equity settled  

7.2(a)(i) 
7.2(a)(i) 

7.2(a)(ii) 

7.2(a)(iii) 

(948) 
(2,300) 

(6,120) 

(1,005) 

(10,373) 

(1,007)
(3,604)

(6,392)

–

(11,003)

The net impact on retained earnings from share-based payment plans, net of Treasury shares utilised in the current year, is $6 million. 
The impact on retained earnings from share-based payment plans in 2016 was $10 million. 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 111

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 7: People

7.2  SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)

(a)  Equity-settled share-based payment plans

 The cost of equity-settled transactions is determined by the fair value at the grant date using an appropriate valuation model. 
The cost is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in other capital reserves in equity, over the period in which the 
performance and/or service conditions are met. Currently, the Company has four equity-settled share-based payment plans in 
operation, the details of which are as follows:

i.  General employee share plans

 Santos operates two general employee share plans, the Share1000 Plan and the ShareMatch Plan. Eligible employees 
have the option to participate in either the Share1000 Plan or the ShareMatch Plan. Members of the Executive 
Committee (“Excom”), 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

ShareMatch

What is it?

The employee’s ownership and right  
to deal with them

How is the fair value recognised?

The Share1000 Plan provides for 
grants of fully paid ordinary shares  
up to a value determined by the  
Board, which in 2017 was A$1,000  
per employee (2016: A$1,000).

Subject to restrictions until the  
earlier of the expiration of the  
three-year restriction period  
and the time when the employee 
ceases to be in employment.

The fair value of these shares  
is recognised as an employee  
expense with a corresponding  
increase in issued capital, and 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 ShareMatch Plan allows for the 
purchase of shares through salary 
sacrificing up to A$5,000 over a 
maximum 12-month period, and to 
receive matched SARs at a 1:1 ratio or 
as otherwise set by the Board.

Upon vesting, subject to restrictions 
until the earlier of the expiration of 
the restriction period (which will be 
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.

The fair value of the shares is 
recognised as an increase in issued 
capital and a corresponding increase 
in loans receivable. 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 services required 
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 and recognised 
as an employee expense for the term of 
the matched SARs.

The following shares were issued pursuant to the employee share plans during the period:

Year 

2017 
2017 
2016 

Issue date 

20 Oct 2017 
28 Sep 2017 
1 Sep 2016 

112 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Share1000 Plan 

ShareMatch Plan

Issued 
shares 
No. 

244 
301,340 
297,036 

Fair value 
per share 
A$ 

4.23 
4.10 
4.44 

Issued 
shares 
No. 

– 
553,416 
719,764 

Fair value 
per share
A$

–
4.10
4.44

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
7.2  SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)

i.  General employee share plans (continued)

The number of SARs outstanding, and movements throughout the financial year are:

Year 

2017 Total 

2016 Total 

Beginning of 
the year 
No. 

Granted  
No. 

Lapsed 
No. 

Vested 
No. 

End of 
the year
No.

1,665,931 

553,416 

(70,085) 

(384,310) 

1,764,952

1,600,103 

719,764 

(75,118) 

(578,818) 

1,665,931

The inputs used in the valuation of the SARs are as follows:

  Matched SARs grant 

Share price on grant date (A$) 
Exercise price (A$) 
Right life (weighted average, years) 
Expected dividends (% p.a.) 
Fair value at grant date (A$) 

2017

4.08
Nil
3
1.3
3.92

The loan arrangements relating to the ShareMatch Plan are as follows:

 During the year the Company utilised $2 million of Treasury shares (2016: issued $3 million of share capital) under 
the ShareMatch Plan, with $2 million (2016: $4 million) received from employees under loan arrangements. The 
movements in loans receivable from employees are:

Employee loans at 1 January 
Ordinary share capital issued during the year 
Treasury shares utilised during the year 
Cash received during the year 
Foreign exchange movement 

Employee loans at 31 December 

2017 
US$000 

2016
US$000

1,350 
– 
1,779 
(1,869) 
67 

1,327 

2,695
2,622
–
(3,942)
(25)

1,350

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 113

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 7: People

7.2  SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)

ii.  Executive Long-Term Incentive share-based payment plans

 The Company’s Executive Long-Term Incentive Program (“LTI Program”) provides for eligible executives selected by 
the Board to receive SARs upon the satisfaction of set market and non-market performance conditions. Each SAR 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. 

 The fair value of SARs 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 SARs do not vest due to non-market- 
related conditions.

 The 2017 LTI Program offers consisted only of SARs. Performance Awards were granted to eligible executives in 2017  
who were granted one four-year grant (1 January 2017 – 31 December 2020).

Vesting of the grants is based on the following performance targets:

• 

• 

• 

• 

 25% of the SARs are subject to Santos’ Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) relative to the performance of the  
ASX 100 companies (“ASX 100 comparator group”);

 25% are subject to Santos’ TSR relative to the performance of the Standard & Poor’s Global 1200 Energy Index 
companies (“S&P GEI comparator group”);

 25% are subject to Santos’ Free Cash Flow Breakeven Point (“FCFBP”) relative to internal targets; and

 25% are subject to Santos’ Return on Average Capital Employed (“ROACE”) relative to internal targets, measured  
at the end of the performance period.

114 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.2  SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)

ii.  Executive Long-Term Incentive share-based payment plans (continued)

The numbers of SARs outstanding at the end of, and movements throughout, the financial year are:

Year 

2017 Total 

2016 Total 

Beginning of 
the year 
No. 

Granted  
No. 

Lapsed 
No. 

Vested 
No. 

End of 
the year
No.

9,402,644 

4,291,977 

(2,196,369) 

7,650,098 

4,799,922 

(3,047,376) 

– 

– 

11,498,252

9,402,644

 The SARs granted during 2017 totalling 4,291,977 were issued across the following four tranches, each with varying 
valuations:

Senior Executive LTI – granted 21 March 2017

2017

Performance Awards 

O1 

O2 

O3 

O4

Performance index 
Fair value at grant date (A$) 
Share price on grant date (A$) 
Exercise price (A$) 
Expected volatility (weighted average, % p.a.) 
Right life (weighted average, years) 
Expected dividends (% p.a.) 
Risk-free interest rate (% p.a.) 
Total granted (No.) 

CEO LTI – granted 19 May 2017

ASX 100 
2.23 
3.73 
nil 
45 
4 
1.3 
2.2 
905,108 

S&P GEI 
2.29 
3.73 
nil 
45 
4 
1.3 
2.2 
905,091 

FCFBP 
3.55 
3.73 
nil 
45 
4 
1.3 
2.2 
905,075 

ROACE
3.55
3.73
nil
45
4
1.3
2.2
905,062

2017

Performance Awards 

O1 

O2 

O3 

O4

Performance index 
Fair value at grant date (A$) 
Share price on grant date (A$) 
Exercise price (A$) 
Expected volatility (weighted average, % p.a.) 
Right life (weighted average, years) 
Expected dividends (% p.a.) 
Risk-free interest rate (% p.a.) 
Total granted (No.) 

ASX 100 
2.02 
3.52 
nil 
45 
4 
1.4 
1.8 
167,911 

S&P GEI 
2.08 
3.52 
nil 
45 
4 
1.4 
1.8 
167,910 

FCFBP 
3.34 
3.52 
nil 
45 
4 
1.4 
1.8 
167,910 

ROACE
3.34
3.52
nil
45
4
1.4
1.8
167,910

 The above tables include the valuation assumptions used for Performance Awards SARs granted during the current year. 
The expected vesting period of the SARs is based on historical data and current expectations and is not necessarily 
indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility 
over a period similar to the life of the SARs is indicative of future trends, which may not necessarily be the actual 
outcome.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 115

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 7: People

7.2  SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)

ii.  Executive Long-Term Incentive share-based payment plans (continued)

Vesting of Performance Awards

 All Performance Awards are subject to hurdles based on the Company’s TSR relative to both the ASX 100 and S&P GEI 
comparator group over the performance period, as well as the FCFBP and ROACE at the end of the vesting period. There 
is no re-testing of performance conditions. Each tranche of the Performance Awards subject to TSR granted during 2017 
vests in accordance with the following vesting schedule:

TSR percentile ranking  % of grant vesting

< 51st percentile 

= 51st percentile  

0%

50%

52nd to 75th percentile  

Further 2.0% for each percentile over 51st

≥ 76th percentile 

100%

Restriction period

 Shares allocated on vesting of SARs granted in 2011 and 2012 may be subject to additional 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.

iii.  Executive Deferred Short-Term Incentives (“STIs”)

Deferred shares

 Deferred STIs represent a proportion of the total executive STI of the applicable year that has been deferred into shares. 
The deferred shares are subject to a 24-month continuous service period following the year to which the STI related. The 
number of deferred STIs outstanding at the end of, and movements throughout, the financial year are:

Year 

2017 Total 

2016 Total 

Beginning of 
the year 
No. 

Granted  
No. 

Lapsed 
No. 

Vested 
No. 

End of 
the year
No.

308,163 

261,011 

154,409 

308,163 

– 

– 

(308,163) 

261,011

(154,409) 

308,163

 On 19 April 2017 the Company issued 261,011 deferred shares to eligible executives. The share price on the grant date was 
A$3.66 and the fair value was A$3.57 after applying a 1.4% dividend yield assumption to the valuation.

Share acquisition rights

 On 19 April 2017 the Company also issued 80,571 SARs subject to a 24-month continuous service condition starting  
on 1 January 2017 and ending on 31 December 2018. If this service condition is satisfied, the SARs granted will vest  
on 1 January 2019. The share price on the grant date was A$3.66 and the fair value was A$3.57 after applying a 1.4% 
dividend yield assumption to the valuation. The issued SARs represented the portion of 2016 deferred STI which was 
allocated to eligible executives as SARs rather than deferred shares.

iv.   Executive sign-on grants

a.  On 11 February 2016 the Company issued 333,822 SARs split across two tranches, as follows:

• 

• 

 50% (166,911) which were subject to a 12-month continuous service condition starting on 1 February 2016 and 
ending on 31 January 2017. As this service condition was satisfied, the SARs vested on 1 February 2017; and

50% (166,911) were subject to as 24-month continuous service condition starting on 1 February 2016 and ending 
on 31 January 2018. If this service condition is satisfied, the SARs will vest on 1 February 2018.

  The share price on the grant date was A$3.05 and the fair values were A$2.95 (12-month term) and A$2.86 
(24-month term) after applying a 3.3% dividend yield assumption to the valuation.

116 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.2  SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)

iv.   Executive sign-on grants (continued)

 b. 

 On 11 July 2016 the Company issued 42,585 SARs subject to a 24-month continuous service condition starting on  
1 May 2016 and ending on 30 April 2018. If this service condition is satisfied, the SARs will vest on 1 February 2018.

 The share price on the grant date was A$4.80 and the fair value was A$4.61 after applying a 2.2% dividend yield 
assumption to the valuation.

c. 

 On 1 December 2016 the Company issued 23,777 SARs subject to a 12-month continuous service condition starting on 1 
December 2016 and ending on 30 November 2017, which vested on 1 December 2017.

 The share price on the grant date was A$4.39 and the fair value was A$4.29 after applying a 2.2% dividend yield 
assumption to the valuation.

(b)  Options

 The Company has not granted options over unissued shares under the Executive Long-Term Incentive share-based payment plans 
since 2009. The information as set out below relates to options issued under the Executive Long-Term Incentive share-based 
payment plans in 2009 and earlier that have vested in prior years: 

Beginning of  
the year 
No. 

Lapsed 
No. 

Exercised 
No. 

End of 
the year 
No. 

  Exercisable 
at end of 
the year
No.

2017 
Vested in prior years 

1,159,288 

(351,300) 

  Weighted average exercise price (A$) 

15.01 

13.76 

2016  
Vested in prior years 

3,922,588 

(2,763,300) 

  Weighted average exercise price (A$) 

12.38 

 11.28 

– 

– 

– 

– 

807,988 

807,988

15.55 

15.55

1,159,288 

1,159,288

15.01 

15.01

(c)  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.

7.3  KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL DISCLOSURES

(a)  Key management personnel compensation 

Short-term employee benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Other long-term benefits 
Termination benefits 
Share-based payments 

2017 
US$000 

2016
US$000

7,306 
195 
80 
288 
2,277 

10,146 

6,444
194
29
836
2,631

10,134

(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.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 117

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 8: Other

This section provides information that is not directly related to the specific line items in the financial statements, including 
information about contingent liabilities, events after the end of the reporting period, the Group’s commitment to the removal 
of the shareholder cap, remuneration of auditors and changes to accounting policies and disclosures. 

8.1  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.

8.2  EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD

On 20 February 2018, the Directors of Santos Limited resolved not to pay a final dividend in respect of the 2017 financial year.

8.3  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 agreed to:

• 

• 

 continue to make payments under its existing Social Responsibility and Community Benefits Program specified in the Deed 
totalling A$60 million over a 10-year period from the date the legislation was enacted. As at 31 December 2017, this condition has 
been fully met; 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 2017 this condition has 
been fully met. If this condition had not been met, the Company would have been liable to pay a maximum of A$50 million to the 
State Government of South Australia.

Santos was required to make these payments only if the State Government of South Australia did 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 had an 
adverse discriminatory effect in their application to the Company relative to other companies domiciled in South Australia.

8.4  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) 

2017 
US$000 

1,047 
116 

1,163 

2016
US$000

1,070
150

1,220

118 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.4  REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS (CONTINUED)

(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 

2017 
US$000 

2016
US$000

401 
341 
14 

756 

360
2
14

376

8.5  ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a)  Changes in accounting policies and disclosures 

 The Group applied the following amendments to accounting standards applicable for the first time for the financial year beginning  
1 January 2017:

• 

• 

• 

 AASB 2016-1 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for  
Unrealised Losses;

 AASB 2016-2 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Disclosure Initiative: Amendments to AASB 107; and

 AASB 2017-2 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Further Annual Improvements 2014-2016 Cycle.

 The adoption of these amendments did not have any impact on the amounts recognised in prior periods and will also not affect the 
current or future periods.

The amendments to AASB 107 require disclosure of changes in liabilities arising from financing activities (refer note 4.1(d)). 

 In addition, several other standard amendments and interpretations were applicable for the first time in 2017, but were not 
relevant to the Company and do not impact the Group’s annual consolidated financial statements or half-year condensed financial 
statements.

(b)  Adoption of AASB 9 – Financial Instruments 

  The Group elected to early adopt AASB 9 Financial Instruments from 1 January 2017. AASB 9 replaces AASB 139 Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, and generally simplifies the classification and measurement of financial instruments, 
introduces a new expected credit loss model for calculating impairment of financial assets, and aligns hedge accounting more 
closely with an entity’s risk management practices.

 The Group has applied the new hedge accounting requirement prospectively, while the remainder of the requirements of AASB 9 
have been applied retrospectively in line with the requirements of the standard.

 The adoption of AASB 9 results in the following key changes in the Group’s accounting and reporting:

• 

• 

• 

 For the Group’s financial liabilities that are measured at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”), the element of gains or 
losses attributable to changes in the Group’s own credit risk will now be recognised in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) 
instead of profit or loss. During the year ended 31 December 2017 this amounted to a $21 million loss.

 Hedge effectiveness testing will now be performed on a prospective basis with no defined numerical range of effectiveness 
applied in this testing.

 The Group holds an equity investment previously measured at cost under AASB 139 which is now measured at FVOCI.  
An opening adjustment of $5 million loss has been recognised in retained earnings upon initial measurement under AASB 9.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 119

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 8: Other

8.5  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

(b)  Adoption of AASB 9 – Financial Instruments (continued) 

  The table below shows changes in the classification and measurement categories of the Group‘s financial instruments on adoption  
of AASB 9.

AASB 139 (previous) classification  
of financial instrument

Impact of AASB 9

AASB 139 (previous) 
measurement category

Impact of AASB 9

Cash and cash equivalents

Term deposits

Trade and other receivables 

Hedging instruments  
(financial derivatives)

No change 

No change 

No change 

No change 

Amortised cost

Amortised cost

Amortised cost

No change 

No change 

No change 

FVTPL (fair value hedges)

FVTPL1

FVOCI (cash flow hedges)

No change

Commodity derivatives 

No change 

FVTPL

Available-for-sale  
financial assets 

Amounts held in escrow

Trade and other payables

Interest-bearing loans  
and borrowings

Equity investments

Cost 

No change 

No change 

No change 

Amortised cost

Amortised cost

Amortised cost

FVTPL

No change

FVOCI

No change

No change

No change

No change

1.   Gains or losses attributable to changes in the Group’s own credit risk are recognised in OCI instead of profit or loss.

No other changes arising from the adoption of AASB 9 have had a material effect on the financial reporting of the Group. 

120 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
8.5  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(c)   New standards and interpretations not yet adopted 

 A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on 
or after 1 January 2018, 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.

Application  
of standard

1 January 2018 – 
the Group intends 
to adopt the 
standard using the 
full retrospective 
approach.

Reference

Description

AASB 15 Revenue 
from Contracts with 
Customers

AASB 15 as issued replaces AASB 
111 Construction Contracts, AASB 
118 Revenue 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 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; and

 Step 5: Recognise revenue when 
(or as) the entity satisfies a 
performance obligation.

Impact on Group financial report

In the current year, a project team was 
established comprising appropriate 
revenue subject matter specialists, 
with a detailed review of AASB 15 
and relevant industry guidance being 
performed, in addition to a detailed 
review of revenue contracts entered 
into during the transition period of the 
standard.

As a result of the assessment, it is 
concluded there will be no material 
adjustments to profit or retained 
earnings on adoption of AASB 15.

There will be a change from the 
“entitlements method” to “sales method” 
of accounting. The sales method results 
in recording revenue in accordance 
with amounts invoiced to customers, 
as opposed to the Group’s percentage 
interest in a producing asset.

The product sales and cost of sales 
line items in the consolidated income 
statement will also be subject to 
insignificant adjustments of equal, 
or similar, amounts due to revised 
accounting for the Group’s gas swap 
arrangements. The Group estimates  
the impact on each line item to be 
approximately US$10 million.

Further reclassifications from other 
revenue to revenue will also arise where 
amounts recorded in other revenue are 
deemed under AASB 15 to constitute 
contracts with customers.

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 121

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Section 8: Other

8.5  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Reference

Description

AASB 16 Leases

The key features of AASB 16 on lessee 
accounting are as follows:

Application  
of standard

1 January 2019

• 

• 

• 

Lessees are required to 
recognise right-of-use assets 
and lease liabilities for all leases 
with a term of more than 12 
months, unless the underlying 
asset is of low value.

A lessee measures right-of-use 
assets similarly to other 
non-financial assets (such as 
property, plant and equipment) 
and lease liabilities similarly to 
other financial liabilities.

Assets and liabilities arising 
from a lease are initially 
measured on a present value 
basis. The measurement 
includes non-cancellable lease 
payments (including inflation-
linked payments), and 
payments to be made in 
optional periods if the lessee is 
reasonably certain to exercise 
an option to extend the lease, 
or not to exercise an option to 
terminate the lease.

• 

AASB 16 contains disclosure 
requirements for lessees.

Impact on Group financial report

The group only operates as a lessee. 
The standard will affect primarily the 
accounting for the Group’s operating 
leases. As at the reporting date, the 
Group has non-cancellable operating 
lease commitments of US$271 million 
(refer note 3.5).

The Group has not yet completed its 
assessment of what adjustments, if any, 
are necessary on adoption of AASB 16. 
Adjustments may arise from:

• 

• 

• 

changes in the definition of the 
lease term;

different treatments of variable 
lease payments; and

available extension and 
termination options.

It is therefore not yet possible to 
estimate the amount of right-of-use 
assets and lease liabilities that will have 
to be recognised on adoption of the new 
standard and how this may affect the 
Group’s profit or loss and classification 
of cash flows going forward.

Several other amendments to standards and interpretations will apply on or after 1 January 2018, 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. 

122 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial ReportDirectors’ Declaration
For the year ended 31 December 2017

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 2017 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 1.1; 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.

2. 

3. 

 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 2017.

 As at the date of this declaration, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the members of the Closed Group identified in 
note 6.5 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 ASIC Corporations (Wholly-owned 
Companies) Instrument 2016/785.

Dated this 20th day of February 2018 

On behalf of the Board:

Director 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 123

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report
to the members of Santos Limited

Report on the Audit of the Financial Report 

Opinion 

We have audited the financial report of Santos Limited (“the Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, “the Group”), which comprises 
the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2017, the consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in equity and consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, 
notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the Directors Declaration. 

In our opinion, the accompanying financial report of the Group is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 

(a) 

 giving a true and fair view of the consolidated financial position of the Group as at 31 December 2017 and of its consolidated 
financial performance for the year ended on that date; and

(b)  complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001.

Basis for Opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further 
described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our report. We are independent of the 
Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the 
Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (“the Code”) that are 
relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the 
Code.  

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

Key Audit Matters 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial report of 
the current year. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial report as a whole, and in forming our opinion 
thereon, but we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. For each matter below, our description of how our audit addressed 
the matter is provided in that context. 

We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our 
report, including in relation to these matters. Accordingly, our audit included the performance of procedures designed to respond to our 
assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial report. The results of our audit procedures, including the procedures 
performed to address the matters below, provide the basis for our audit opinion on the accompanying financial report.

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited   
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

124 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial ReportEstimation of oil and gas reserves and resources 

Why significant

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Estimation of oil and gas reserves and 
resources was conducted by specialist 
engineers, requiring significant judgment 
and the use of a number of assumptions, 
particularly those disclosed in note 3.2 of the 
financial report, by the Group.  

These estimates can have a material impact 
on the financial report and the results of the 
Group, primarily in the following areas: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

capitalisation and classification of 
expenditure as exploration and evaluation 
(E&E) assets (refer note 3.1), or oil and 
gas (O&G) assets (note 3.2);

valuation of oil and gas assets and 
impairment testing (note 3.3);

calculation of depreciation, depletion  
and amortisation (“DD&A”) of assets  
(note 3.2); and

the calculation of decommissioning and 
restoration provisions (note 3.4).

Our audit procedures focused on the work of the Group’s experts and included the 
following:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

assessed the qualifications, competence and objectivity of both the Group’s 
internal and external experts involved in the estimation process;

evaluated the adequacy of the experts’ work to determine if the work undertaken 
was appropriate;

considered the Group’s reserves estimation process and controls, including 
Santos’ internal certification process for technical and commercial experts who 
are responsible for reserves, and the design of Santos Reserves Guidelines and 
Reserves Management Process and its alignment with the guidelines prepared by 
the Society of Petroleum Engineers (“SPE”);

assessed the Group’s controls over the estimation process, to assess and approve 
the reserves and resources volumes in accordance with the guidelines prepared 
by the SPE;

assessed that key economic assumptions used in the estimation of reserves and 
resources volumes were consistent with those utilised by the Group in the 
impairment testing of exploration and evaluation and oil and gas assets, where 
applicable;

analysed the reasons for reserve revisions, or the absence of reserves revisions 
where expected, and assessed changes in reserves or lack of changes in reserves 
for consistency with other information that we obtained throughout the audit; 
and

agreed the reserves and resources volumes to the applicable financial information, 
including the calculation of DD&A, valuation of assets and impairment testing, and 
the calculation of decommissioning provisions, as applicable.

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited   
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 125

Independent Auditor’s Report
to the members of Santos Limited  
(continued)

Recovery of carrying value of exploration and evaluation and oil and gas assets 

Why significant

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Under Australian Accounting Standards, an 
entity shall assess throughout the reporting 
period whether there is any indication that 
an asset may be impaired, or that reversal 
of a previously recognised impairment may 
be required. If any such indication exists, an 
entity shall estimate the recoverable amount 
of the asset. Impairment indicators were 
present during the period for certain cash- 
generating units (“CGUs”) and impairment 
testing was undertaken.  

The impairment testing process is complex 
and highly judgmental and is based on 
assumptions and estimates that are affected 
by expected future performance and market 
conditions. Key assumptions, judgments 
and estimates used in the formulation of 
the Group’s impairment of exploration and 
evaluation assets and oil and gas assets are 
set out in the financial report in note 3.3. 

During the period, the Group has recognised 
impairment of certain CGUs, including the 
GLNG CGU, and an impairment reversal on 
the Cooper Basin CGU. A net impairment 
expense of US$0.9 billion pertaining to 
exploration and evaluation assets and oil and 
gas assets has been recorded. Refer to note 
3.3 in the financial report. 

We evaluated the assumptions and methodologies used by the Group and the 
estimates made. In particular we considered those estimates and judgments relating 
to the forecast cash flows and the inputs used to formulate those cash flows, such 
as discount rates, reserves and resources, inflation rates, operating and capital costs, 
foreign exchange rates and commodity prices.  

We involved our valuation specialists to assist in these procedures. Our audit 
procedures were undertaken across all material CGUs with the extent of procedures 
commensurate with the level of impairment risk. 

Specifically, we evaluated the discounted cash flow models and other data supporting 
the Group’s assessment. In doing so, we:

• 

• 

• 

• 

understood future production profiles compared to latest reserves and resources 
estimates, as outlined in the key audit matter above, current sanctioned budgets 
and historical operations;

evaluated commodity price assumptions with reference to contractual 
arrangements, market prices (where available), broker consensus, analyst views 
and historical performance;

evaluated discount rates and foreign exchange rates with reference to risk-free 
rates, market indices, applicable tax rates, market risk and country risk premia, 
broker consensus, and historical performance;

compared future operating and development expenditure to current sanctioned 
budgets and historical expenditure, and ensured variations were in accordance 
with our expectations based upon other information obtained throughout the 
audit; and

• 

tested the mathematical accuracy of the Group’s discounted cash flow models.

We also considered the adequacy of the financial report disclosures regarding 
impairment and the recoverable amount of the Group’s assets.

Decommissioning and restoration provisions  

Why significant

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

The calculation of decommissioning and 
restoration provisions is conducted by both 
internal and external specialist engineers and 
requires judgment in respect of asset lives, 
timing of restoration work being undertaken, 
environmental legislative requirements, the 
extent of restoration activities required and 
estimation of future costs. 

The judgments and estimates made can have 
a material impact on the financial report. The 
Group has recognised decommissioning and 
restoration provisions of US$1.5 billion at  
31 December 2017 which are disclosed in 
note 3.4.

Our audit procedures focused on the work of the Group’s experts, and included the 
following:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

assessed the competence and objectivity of both the Group’s internal and 
external experts involved in the estimation process;

evaluated the adequacy of the experts’ work to determine whether their work 
was appropriate;

evaluated the Group’s decommissioning and restoration estimation processes;

assessed the Group’s controls over the restoration estimation process;

tested the consistency of the application of principles and assumptions to other 
areas of the audit, such as reserves estimation and impairment testing;

tested the mathematical accuracy of the Group’s present value calculations and 
considered the appropriateness of the discount rate applied in the calculation; and

• 

agreed the calculations to the financial report.

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited   
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

126 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial ReportAccounting for deferred tax and Petroleum Resource Rent Tax   

Why significant

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

The financial report of the Group includes 
deferred tax assets arising from income 
taxes, including in respect of income tax 
losses, and Petroleum Resource Rent Tax 
(PRRT). The determination of the quantum, 
likelihood and timing of the realisation of 
deferred tax assets arising from income 
taxes and PRRT is judgmental, due to the 
interpretation of PRRT and income tax 
legislation, as well as the estimation of future 
taxable income.  

The Group recognised a net deferred tax 
asset of US$1.2 billion at 31 December 2017 
in respect of corporate income tax, which is 
disclosed in note 2.4 of the financial report.

We assessed the Group’s determination of tax payable now and in the future. We 
involved our taxation specialists to assist in this assessment. 

We considered the Group’s methodologies, assumptions and estimates in relation to 
the calculation of current taxes and the likelihood of generating future taxable profits 
to support the recognition of deferred tax assets. We considered forecasts of taxable 
profits and the consistency of these forecasts with the Group’s budgets approved by 
the Board and those used in the Group’s asset impairment testing. 

We evaluated the assessment of estimates and assumptions made through enquiries 
with the Group’s taxation department, reviewed correspondence with local tax 
authorities and involved our tax specialists, where appropriate, to assess the 
associated provisions and disclosures. 

We assessed the Group’s disclosures in respect of PRRT and Income Taxes which are 
included in the summary of significant accounting policies in note 2.4.

Information Other than the Financial Report and Auditor’s Report Thereon 

The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Company’s 
2017 Annual Report, but does not include the financial report and our auditor’s report thereon. 

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not express any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon, with the exception of the Remuneration Report and our related assurance opinion.  

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether 
the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to 
be materially misstated.  

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required 
to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

Responsibilities of the Directors 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 control as the Directors determine is 
necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial report, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, 
as applicable, matters relating to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to 
liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of 
assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a 
material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the 
aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report.

As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional 
scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

• 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit 
procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 
The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve 
collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited   
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 127

Independent Auditor’s Report
to the members of Santos Limited  
(continued)

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit 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 Group’s internal control.

• 

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures 
made by the Directors.

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence 

obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability 
to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s 
report to the related disclosures in the financial report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions 
are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the 
Group to cease to continue as a going concern.

• 

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the disclosures, and whether the financial 
report represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

•  Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group 

to express an opinion on the financial report. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Group audit. 
We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with the Directors regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit 
findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. 

We also provide the Directors with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and 
communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where 
applicable, related safeguards. 

From the matters communicated to the Directors, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the 
financial report of the current year and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law 
or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should 
not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the 
public interest benefits of such communication.

Report on the Audit of the Remuneration Report 

Opinion on the Remuneration Report 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 34 to 53 of the Directors’ Report for the year ended 31 December 2017. 

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Santos Limited for the year ended 31 December 2017 complies with section 300A of the 
Corporations Act 2001. 

Responsibilities 

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.

Ernst & Young

R J Curtin  
Partner  
Adelaide 
20 February 2018

 L A Carr 
 Partner 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited   
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

128 / Santos Annual Report 2017

Financial Report 
Auditor’s Independence Declaration 
to the Directors of Santos Limited 

Auditor’s Independence Declaration to the Directors of Santos Limited 

As lead auditor for the audit of Santos Limited for the financial year ended 31 December 2017, I declare to the best of my knowledge and 
belief, there have been:

a) no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and

b) no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.

This declaration is in respect of Santos Limited and the entities it controlled during the financial year.

Ernst & Young

R J Curtin 
Partner 
Adelaide 
20 February 2018

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited   
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 129

Securities Exchange
and Shareholder Information

Listed on the Australian Securities Exchange at 31 January 2018 were 2,082,911,041 fully paid ordinary shares. Unlisted were 12,500 
partly paid Plan 0 shares, 12,500 partly paid Plan 2 shares, 94,759 restricted fully paid ordinary shares issued to eligible Senior Executives 
pursuant to the Santos Employee Share Purchase Plan (“SESPP”), 10,979 fully paid ordinary shares issued pursuant to the Non-
executive Director Share Plan (“NED Share Plan”), 48,722 fully paid ordinary shares issued with further restrictions pursuant to the 
ShareMatch Plan and 5,378 fully paid ordinary shares issued with further restrictions pursuant to the SESPP.

There were 132,026 holders of all classes of issued ordinary shares, including: 2 holders of Plan 0 shares; 2 holders of Plan 2 shares; 
17 holders of restricted shares pursuant to the SESPP; 1 holder of NED Share Plan shares: 41 holders of ShareMatch shares with further 
restrictions and 1 holder of SESPP shares with further restrictions. This compared with 148,925 holders of all classes of issued ordinary 
shares a year earlier.

On 20 January 2018 there were also: 34 holders of 807,988 Options granted pursuant to the Santos Executive Share Option Plan;  
99 holders of 10,585,224 Share Acquisition Rights pursuant to the SESPP and 1,034 holders of 1,775,865 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 and NED Share Plan represent all of the voting power in Santos. The holdings of the 20 largest holders 
of ordinary shares represent 68.32% of the total voting power in Santos (64.43% on 31 January 2017). The largest shareholders of fully 
paid ordinary shares in Santos as shown in the Company’s Register of Members at 31 January 2018 were:

Name

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

United Faith Ventures Limited

National Nominees Limited

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 

BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd 

Argo Investments Limited

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 

AMP Life Limited

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited-GSCO ECA

Dynamic Supplies Investments Pty Ltd

CS Third Nominees Pty Limited 

UBS Nominees Pty Ltd

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 

Custodial Services Limited 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 

Nulis Nominees (Australia) 

Navigator Australia Ltd 

No. of shares

464,530,367

325,778,721

266,461,014

140,189,820

116,493,663

29,039,169

14,935,279

12,990,748

11,041,641

9,206,425

8,098,468

4,158,236

4,091,868

3,385,827

3,135,000

2,689,148

2,327,300

2,238,064

2,048,203

2,027,227

%

22.30

15.64

12.79

6.73

5.59

1.39

0.72

0.62

0.53

0.44

0.39

0.20

0.20

0.16

0.15

0.13

0.11

0.11

0.10

0.10

Total:

1,424,866,188

68.41

130 / Santos Annual Report 2017

ANALYSIS OF SHARES – RANGE OF SHARES HELD 

1-1,000

1,001-5,000

5,001-10,000

10,001-100,000

100,001 and over 

Total

Fully paid 
ordinary 
shares 
(holders)

44,408

57,140

16,997

13,048

369

% of  
holders

% of  
shares held 

33.65

43.30

12.88

9.88

0.28

1.02

6.95

5.88

13.41

72.74

100.00

131,962

100.00

Substantial Shareholders as disclosed by notices received by the Company as at 13 February 2018:

Name

Hony Partners Group, L.P. and others

ENN Ecological Holdings Co Ltd and others

Santos Limited

Number of voting 
shares held

Date of  
Notice

309,734,518*

5 May 2017 

314,734,518*

5 May 2017

318,192,274* 27 June 2017

*   At 27 June 2017, Hony held approximately 4.8% of Santos’ issued capital and ENN held approximately 10.31%. Hony and ENN have a relevant interest in each other’s shares by reason of an 
Acting in Concert agreement dated 27 April 2017. Santos has a relevant interest in the shareholdings of Hony and ENN by reason of the Strategic Relationship agreement announced by 
Santos on 27 June 2017.

For Directors’ shareholdings see the Directors’ Report as set out on page 16 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. 

Santos Annual Report 2017 / 131

 
Glossary

barrel/bbl 
The standard unit of measurement for all oil 
and condensate production. One barrel = 
159 litres or 35 imperial gallons.

Boe 
Barrels of oil equivalent.

the company 
Santos Ltd and all its subsidiaries.

condensate 
A natural gas liquid that occurs in 
association with natural gas and is mainly 
composed of pentane and heavier 
hydrocarbon fractions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

132 / Santos Annual Report 2017

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 by 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.

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. 

t 
tonnes

LPG 
Liquefied petroleum gas. A mixture of 
light hydrocarbons derived from oilbearing 
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.

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 factors

Sales gas  
and ethane

Crude oil

1 PJ = 171.937 boe x 10³

1 barrel = 1 boe

Condensate

1 barrel = 0.935 boe 

LPG

LNG

LNG

1 tonne = 8.458 boe 

1 PJ = 18,040 tonnes 

1 tonne = 52.54 mmBtu

For a comprehensive online conversion 
calculator tool, please visit our homepage at 
www.santos.com

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.

mmbbl 
million barrels

mmboe 
million barrels of oil equivalent.

mtpa 
million tonnes per annum

oil 
A mixture of liquid hydrocarbons of 
different molecular weights. 

proved reserves (1P) 
Reserves that, to a high degree of certainty 
(90% confidence), are recoverable. There 
is relatively little risk associated with these 
reserves. Proved developed reserves 
are reserves that can be recovered from 
existing wells with existing infrastructure 
and operating methods. Proved 
undeveloped reserves require development.

proved 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 proved plus probable reserves.

Corporate Directory 

Santos Limited ABN 80 007 550 923

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).

COMPANY SECRETARY

Christian Paech joined Santos in 2004 and was appointed to the 
role of General Counsel in 2010 and Company Secretary in 2017. 
He has over 20 years’ experience in commercial and corporate law 
and governance, including in private practice with Herbert Smith 
Freehills and Ashurst. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a 
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Adelaide.

Amanda Devonish joined Santos in 2012 and was appointed to 
the role of Company Secretary in 2017.  She has over 14 years’ 
experience in commercial and corporate legal practice. She 
holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from 
the University of Adelaide.

REGISTERED AND HEAD OFFICE

Ground Floor Santos Centre 
60 Flinders Street 
Adelaide SA 5000  
Australia

GPO Box 2455 
Adelaide SA 5001 
Australia

Telephone: +61 8 8116 5000 
Facsimile: +61 8 8116 5050  
Website: www.santos.com

SHARE REGISTER

Boardroom Pty Limited 
Grosvenor Place 
Level 12, 225 George Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 
Australia

GPO Box 3993 
Sydney NSW 2001 
Australia 

Website: www.boardroomlimited.com.au 
Shareholder access: www.investorserve.com.au 
Telephone: 1300 096 259 (within Australia) 
+ 61 2 8016 2832 (International)

Designed and produced at www.twelvecreative.com.au