More than $492 million was spent in the regional communities of Maranoa, Western Downs and Toowoomba while the Gladstone and Rockhampton areas accounted for more than $267 million.

“As a proudly Australian owned and operated company, we are very pleased to share the benefits of our world-class natural gas operations with the communities in which we operate,” Santos Queensland vice-president Trevor Brown said.

“Santos GLNG is delivering for the people of Queensland by using local businesses for work including drilling, engineering, equipment fabrication, camps, transport, trades and environmental services.

“We’re building a new industry for Queensland that will drive the state economy over the long term, which means our contribution won’t stop here.

“As well as creating opportunities for local businesses, we will contribute billions of dollars in taxes and royalties over many years – money that can go to Queensland’s schools, hospitals and roads.”

The figures covered the money spent from January 2011 to December 2013 and were part of a progress report on the project’s social impact management plan.

The $US18.5 billion ($A19.9 billion) GLNG project is targeting 7.8 million tonnes per annum of LNG with first exports in 2015.

The GLNG JV consists of Santos (30%), Petronas (27.5%), Total (27.5%) and Kogas (15%).