Santos: gets regulatory approval for Petronas deal

SYDNEY, July 18 (Reuters) - Australian energy group Santos (STO.AX) said on Friday it had got regulatory approval to proceed with a partnership with Malaysia's Petronas [PETR.UL] to develop its Gladstone liquefied natural gas project in Queensland state. Santos said back in May it had reached a deal for Petronas to take a 40 percent stake in the project for about US$2.5 billion. (Reporting by James Thornhill)