Port Augusta’s Max Cranes has won a contract extension with Santos in the Cooper Basin

Port Augusta’s Max Cranes has won a five-year extension of its Cooper Basin crane contract with oil & gas giant Santos.

Max Cranes has won a five-year extension of its Cooper Basin contract with Santos. Pic - supplied

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Port Augusta’s Max Cranes has won a five-year extension of its Cooper Basin crane contract with oil & gas giant Santos.

The $47 million deal represents an extension of an original agreement entered into by the two companies in 2016, following a competitive tender process.

Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher said his company sought local suppliers as part of a commitment to the communities where it operates.

“I am delighted to extend this important contract to local South Australian company Max Cranes,” he said.

“It has been a very reliable and competent contractor in the Cooper Basin for years. Like Santos, Max Cranes is proudly Australian, demonstrating a ‘can-do’ attitude in the field

with very reliable equipment and an exceptional safety record.”

Max Cranes is South Australian owned, employing 123 people across the state and 27 directly in support of its operations in the Cooper Basin.

In November, the company took ownership of the southern hemisphere’s largest telescopic crane as part of a national expansion plan.

The 1200-tonne capacity crane allows the company to compete for a wider range of projects in the civil engineering, mining and oil & gas sectors.

It immediately led to the creation of 18 new jobs, including project managers and mechanical support.

Max Cranes director Graham Elliot said the contract extension with Santos represented a major milestone for the growing company.

“The partnership with Santos plays a key part in our organisational innovation, while underpinning the employment of a highly skilled and dedicated workforce,” he said.

“It is a privilege to be part of a relationship that drives strong community and business values

as these are at the core of our own business.”