text: Distributions during the year occurred at various dates throughout the year and therefore have not been separately listed. 
  
  The amounts recognised in the financial statements of the Santos Group and the Company in relation to the Santos Employee Share Acquisition 
  Plan during the year were: 
  
  **Consolidated** **Santos Ltd**
  
  **2004**
  **$million** 2003 
  $million  **2004**
  **$million** 2003 
  $million 
  
  Employee expenses 
  Issued ordinary share capital  **1.2**
  **1.3** 1.4 
  1.5  **1.2**
  **1.3** 1.4 
  1.5 
  
  At 31 December 2004, the total number of shares acquired under the Plan since its commencement was 1,874,287. 
  
  **(c) Santos Employee Share Purchase Plan**
  
  The Santos Employee Share Purchase Plan was approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 15 May 1997 and its continuation, 
  with amendment, approved at the Annual General Meeting on 5 May 2000. 
  
  ***General Employee Participation***
  
  The Plan is open to all employees (other than a casual employee or Director of the Company) determined by the Board who are continuing 
  employees at the date of the offer. However, employees who are not resident in Australia at the time of an offer under the Plan and those who 
  have participated in the Executive Long Term Incentive Plan during the year will not be eligible to participate in that offer unless the Board 
  otherwise decides. 