Santos clears legal hurdle

Santos has cleared a legal hurdle on its ten year Narrabri gas project journey.

The deadline for an appeal to the October decision in the NSW Land and Environment Court to dismiss a legal challenge to the approval for the project’s approval passed last week allowing Santos to move forward with the drilling needed ahead of a final investment decision, Santos said.

“With the deadline for appeal now exhausted, following October’s decision in the NSW Land and Environment Court to dismiss a legal challenge, Santos is now in a position to commence appraisal drilling ahead of a final investment decision.”

Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher said the company for the first time had a “clean pathway” to proceed with the Narrabri coal seam gas project.

The multi-billion dollar project in Pilliga will see ultimately 850 gas wells developed over 25 years with the capability of providing up to half NSW’s natural gas needs, Santos said.

Santos will proceed with further appraisal drilling for the project with a final investment decision to be made next year.

“We have committed 100 per cent of the gas from the Narrabri Gas Project to the domestic market” Mr Gallagher said following the decision last year of the NSW Land and Environment Court’s decision to uphold the NSW Independent Planning Commission’s ‘go ahead’ for the project.

‘This decision now allows us to get on with the appraisal drilling phase of the project and create jobs, drive investment and attract new businesses to the region, building a better future for the people of Narrabri.

“Following the NSW government’s Future of Gas Statement in July, Narrabri will be the only source of local gas for the state.”