Energy projects draw capacity audience

A capacity audience of Narrabri Chamber of Commerce members and visitors attended last meeting of the chamber to hear first hand an update on the Santos gas pipeline project and the Whitehaven Vickery mine extension.

Both projects are of major significance to the Narrabri shire community.

Guests included Santos regional manager Andrew Snars and operations coordinator, Abby McClure and Whitehaven Coal’s general manager community engagement, Darren Swain.

“The high level of community interest was reflected in the number of people who attended the meeting,” said chamber president Russell Stewart. “The chamber was delighted to welcome attendees from the wider community.

“It was an opportunity to hear from representative of both companies first hand, both are members of the Chamber.

“We heard the very latest on both projects,” said Mr Stewart. “We heard the pipeline planning is progressing well and Andrew Snars explained the current status of the project.

“Santos is engaging with landholders, communicating and explaining the issues as the planning proceeds.”

Santos is moving ahead with planning for the transport of gas from the Pilliga project to consumers. Last year Santos acquired Hunter gas pipeline which owns an approved underground gas pipeline route from Wallumbilla, Queensland, to Newcastle.

The underground pipeline route passes close to Santos’ Narrabri gas project. The pipeline will also be designed to transport hydrogen as customer demand evolves during the energy transition.

The pipeline provides for the delivery of gas from the Narrabri gas project to the domestic market, subject to a short connection to the main pipeline, which is currently in the planning phase.

Whitehaven’s Vickery extension project represents a capital investment of $700 million with a workforce during construction and later operations of some 950 people and anticipated economic benefit to NSW of $1.2 billion.

The proposal is to construct an open-cut coal mine and associated on-site infrastructure about 25 kilometres north of Gunnedah.

The mine will produce a majority metallurgical coal for steel-making, with the balance being high quality thermal coal destined for premium export markets in our region.