Santos targets 2026 production uptick with DLNG and Pikka progress

Core Viewpoint - Santos anticipates increased production in 2026, driven by the Barossa gas project and the Pikka oil development, despite previous delays in the Darwin LNG plant [1][2] Production and Operational Updates - The first cargo from the Darwin LNG plant is being loaded onto the LNG tanker Kool Blizzard, destined for Sakai, Japan, following successful drilling in the Barossa gas field [2] - Production from Barossa gas and Pikka is expected to increase by up to 30% in 2026 [2] - Pikka phase one is nearing mechanical completion, with first oil expected in Q1 2026 [2] Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, total sales revenue was A$1.23 billion, a decrease of 12.1% from A$1.4 billion in Q4 2024 [3] - Free cash flow from operations in Q4 was approximately A$380 million, up 30% from the prior quarter, totaling around A$1.8 billion for the full year [3][6] - Quarterly production rose 5% to 22.3 million barrels of oil equivalent (mboe), with full-year production at 87.7 mboe [3] Sales Volume and Revenue Breakdown - Sales volumes increased 15% quarter-on-quarter to 24.8 mboe in Q4, with total sales volumes for the year reaching 93.5 mboe [4] - LNG sales revenue in Q4 was A$780 million, down 9.1% year-on-year, while domestic sales gas revenue increased by 5.9% to A$268 million [4] - Crude oil revenue fell 61.8% to A$66 million, and condensate revenue decreased by 1.9% to A$101 million, while liquefied petroleum gas revenue rose by 7.7% to A$14 million [4] Operational Highlights - Production commenced at the Hides F2 well in Papua New Guinea at an average rate of 60 million standard cubic feet per day [5] - Domestic gas production in Western Australia increased by around 19% due to project initiatives [5] - The company secured a mid-term LNG supply contract and is preparing for the Beetaloo Basin appraisal programme planned for Q3 2026 [5]