No images? Click here Santos NSWMonthly Activities UpdateJanuary 2024
Welcome to 2024 and a new look monthly activities update. Feedback from stakeholders was that they wanted to understand more about all of our activities across the state, instead of receiving individual project updates, so we have listened and combined the respective project newsletters that we were preparing. Each edition will provide updates relating to the Narrabri Gas Project (NGP), Hunter Gas Project (HGP), Narrabri Lateral Project (NLP), our existing operations and exploration program. We hope you enjoy this new format. Pilliga bushfires Santos has been working closely with the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Forestry Corporation of NSW in relation to the bushfires in the Pilliga. We provided all requested support to the response effort, including access to our water tanks and use of our facilities as a refuge for firefighting crews as needed. As a precautionary measure, our operations were shut in during the fire event. Our equipment is designed to Australian standards to withstand the intensity of fires, and as expected there was no damage to our major infrastructure. Inspections were conducted after permission was granted by the authorities to enter the forest area to undertake these essential works. After conducting integrity checks and verifications, all gas infrastructure is now back online. The forest remains closed for non-critical activities and a number of non-essential and routine activities have been postponed until the forest reopens. When unrestricted access is available, Santos will undertake repairs to auxiliary equipment such as fences, erosion and sediment controls and will also help restore safe access to minor roads in the operations area. Santos has a comprehensive bushfire management plan approved by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment as a requirement of our conditions of consent. This plan is extremely comprehensive and was followed during the fires. Images: Bibblewindi West high point vent and Bibblewindi Compressor Station gas inlet manifold post fires. Narrabri Gas Project ActivitiesOperations updateDrilling activitiesSantos completed drilling of the shallow water monitoring bores during November in accordance with project approvals. Further drilling activities are planned throughout 2024.Pilot wellsBibblewindi East, Bibblewindi West and Dewhurst South and Tintsfield wells are online. LeewoodSantos does not need to irrigate at this time and water is stored in the holding ponds at Leewood.
Wilga Park Power StationThe Wilga Park Power Station is online.Other activitiesGroundwater monitoring activities for Environmental Protection Licence compliance are ongoing.
PEL 1Kahlua pilot construction works continue to be undertaken in accordance with the Review of Environmental Factors. To view the approval, please click here. Community ConsultationCommunity Consultative CommitteeA condition of the IPC consent for the Narrabri Gas Project is the establishment and operation of a Community Consultative Committee in accordance with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment's (DPE) Community Consultative Committee Guidelines: State Significant Projects. DPE has appointed Mr Garry West to the position of Independent Chair of the committee. The purpose of a Community Consultative Committee is to provide a forum for discussion between a proponent and representatives of the community, stakeholder groups and the local council on issues directly relating to a specific state significant project. The next meeting of the Narrabri Gas Project Community Consultative Committee will be held on Tuesday 19 March, 2024. NGP Advisory Groups A condition of the IPC consent for the Narrabri Gas Project is the establishment and operation of a number of advisory groups. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has appointed Mr Garry West to the position of Independent Chair of these Advisory Groups. These groups provide a forum for open dialogue between Santos, independent experts, key stakeholder groups and the local community.
Narrabri Gas Project ApprovalsNSW Government On 30 September 2020, the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) approved the Narrabri Gas Project with the Commission concluding that the Project is in the public interest and that any negative impacts can be effectively mitigated with strict conditions.Australian GovernmentOn 24 November 2020, the Federal Minister for the Environment approved the Narrabri Gas Project pursuant to Sections 130(1) and 133(1) of the EPBC Act, subject to conditions.Santos will undertake an appraisal program ahead of a Final Investment Decision for the next phase of project development.Santos continues work on the preparation and approval of the management plans required as a condition of consent by IPC. Copies of plans approved by the NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment are available from the Narrabri Gas Project website.Native Title Santos notes the determination of the National Native Title Tribunal handed down on Monday 19 December 2022, that proposed future acts, being the grants of Petroleum Production Lease Application Numbers 13, 14, 15 and 16 for the Narrabri Gas Project, may be done. On 13 January 2023, the Gomeroi People filed an appeal in the Federal Court of Australia in respect to this determination. This appeal was heard in Brisbane in August, with a decision anticipated in early 2024. Santos will continue to engage constructively with the Gomeroi people and work closely with them to ensure their heritage is protected and they benefit from the project development in a range of ways, including through training and employment, and involvement in all aspects of their cultural heritage protection and management. Santos has been consulting and working with the Gomeroi people since 2012, and in formal negotiations regarding the Narrabri Gas Project since 2015. Hunter Gas Pipeline and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline ActivitiesHunter Gas Pipeline The Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP) is a critical piece of infrastructure that, once constructed, will deliver 100 per cent of Narrabri natural gas to the east coast domestic market. This will put downward pressure on gas and electricity prices for NSW households, manufacturers and businesses. Survey activities continue to be undertaken on both public and private lands to finalise the alignment within the approved 200m corridor and develop various management plans. Deed of easement agreements continue to be provided to directly affected landholders to formally commence negotiations. Land Access Advisors will be reaching out to all directly affected landholders to arrange meetings to discuss the content of the offer in the coming months. If you require further information or would like to update your contact details, please reach out to your Land Access Advisor or alternatively contact the Community Engagement Team on 1300 427 546 or via email at info@huntergaspipeline.com.au In December 2023, Santos commenced construction on the first laydown yard as part of approved stage one early works. The laydown yard will be utilised to store construction equipment, pipe and other construction related materials. The site will be utilised by the project team to support material logistics coordination, survey and land access activities to finalise the 30 metre pipeline easement. These works are anticipated to take approximately three months (weather permitting). Approvals and approved management plans are available on the HGP website here. Image: Early works to support the HGP HGP in the Community Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce BreakfastIn December, the HGP team attended the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce December Monthly Breakfast. The community organisation Red Door hosted the event in the Uniting Church Hall and provided breakfast for around 60 guests. Those in attendance heard from community organisations Red Door and Blackroo Community Indigenous Corporation who contribute to supporting those in need, especially during the festive season. The organisation provide meals on Christmas Day and organise a toy appeal for individuals and families. Following the event, the HGP team held a pop-up information stand at the Muswellbrook shopping centre, giving an opportunity for the community to ask questions and seek further information on the project. Gunnedah Christmas Fair Santos partnered with the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce to spread some Christmas cheer and host the Gunnedah Christmas Fair for the community. The celebration was held in the main street with food vans, market stalls, live music on the Santos stage and even a visit from the big man himself, Santa! The idea was established to encourage the community to shop locally at Christmas and support the Gunnedah retail sector. The event was a huge success and a wonderful night for the whole community. Image: Community enjoying the Gunnedah Christmas Fair in December 2023 Community engagementSantos is planning the fifth round of community information sessions. These sessions will be advertised in future editions of this monthly update, in regional newspapers and on the HGP website. Landholders do not have to wait for an engagement session to contact us. Our project team is always available by phone or email to discuss the project or arrange to meet landholders at a time that is convenient to them. Narrabri Lateral Pipeline To connect the Narrabri Gas Project (NGP) to the Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP), Santos is progressing plans for the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline (NLP). The proposed pipeline will provide the ‘missing link’ to allow for the transmission of natural gas to the existing NSW natural gas transmission network near Newcastle. Santos is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will be subject to extensive community consultation and a full environmental assessment. More information about the EIS assessment process is available on the HGP website here. More information about the NLP including factsheets can be viewed on the HGP website here. The NLP SEARs can be viewed on the NSW Planning portal website here. Engagement with Registered Aboriginal Parties Santos is continuing to liaise with the Registered Aboriginal Parties regarding the assessment of the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline project corridor. Santos is committed to consulting with Indigenous people about the Aboriginal cultural heritage values within the proposed project area. Narrabri Lateral Pipeline Assessment Process Santos Festival of Rugby The 2024 Santos Festival of Rugby is being held in Roma. The centerpiece of the festival will once again be a pre-season game between the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs Super Rugby teams. Playing for the Santos Cup, this is a chance for the teams to get a good hit-out before the Super Rugby Pacific tournament kicks off. This will be the fourth Santos Festival of Rugby festival with the annual event alternating between Narrabri and Roma since 2021. The annual celebration of rugby will also include Roma Sevens, and men’s and women’s Super Rugby fixtures. WHEN: Friday 9 February to Saturday 10 February 2024 WHERE: Gallas Fox Park, home of the Roma Echidnas Rugby Union Club (Warrego Hwy, Roma, QLD 4455) Tickets are available online now and can be purchased here. |