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Santos NSW
Monthly Activities Update
June 2024
Welcome to the June issue of our Monthly Activities Update for NSW.
The Narrabri Gas Project (NGP) Community Consultative Committee (CCC) met on Tuesday, 18 June. During the meeting, members received updates about the NGP, as well as the Hunter Gas and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline projects. Minutes from previous CCC meetings, are made available on the NGP website.
Throughout the month, our community team met with various community groups within our operational areas. We volunteered at the Rotary Science and Engineering Challenge, Shared Table, and the Gunnedah Red Shield Appeal BBQ and participated in several other community events and initiatives. You can read more about these initiatives in this month’s activities update.
Narrabri Gas Project Activities
Operations update
All gas produced from our Narrabri field appraisal wells is delivered to the Wilga Park Power Station, where it's converted into electricity. Wilga Park Power Station has an electricity generation capacity of 22 megawatts, enough to power 32,000 households across northwest NSW. Production this month has been steady.
Drilling activities
There are no further drilling activities planned to be undertaken this year.
Pilot wells
Bibblewindi East, Bibblewindi West and Dewhurst South, Tintsfield and Kahlua wells are online.
Leewood
Santos does not need to irrigate at this time and water is stored in the holding ponds at Leewood.
Wilga Park Power Station
The Wilga Park Power Station is online.
Other activities
Groundwater monitoring activities for Environmental Protection Licence compliance are ongoing.
PEL 1
Kahlua pilot construction works were completed in accordance with the Review of Environmental Factors and the wells are now online. To view the approval, please click here.
Community Consultation
Community Consultative Committee
A condition of the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) consent for the Narrabri Gas Project is the establishment and operation of a Community Consultative Committee (CCC) in accordance with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) (formally known as Department of Planning and Environment) Community Consultative Committee Guidelines: State Significant Projects. DPHI appointed Mr Garry West to the position of Independent Chair of the committee.
The purpose of a CCC 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 is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 17 September 2024.
NGP Advisory Groups
A condition of consent for the Narrabri Gas Project is the establishment and operation of a number of advisory groups. The NSW DPHI has appointed Mr Garry West to the position of Independent Chair of these Advisory Groups, alongside his role chairing the Community Consultative Committee.
The NGP Advisory groups provide a forum for open dialogue between Santos, independent experts, key stakeholder groups and the local community.
- Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Group
- Biodiversity Advisory Group
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Advisory Group
- Water Technical Advisory Group
The most recent meetings of the advisory groups were held in March 2024.
NGP in the Community
Rotary Science and Engineering Challenge
The 2024 Science and Engineering Challenge was held early in June at The Crossing Theatre, Narrabri. The event brought together more than 300 primary and high school students from across the region.
As part of Santos’ ongoing commitment to supporting local Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education, this event provided the opportunity for students from schools as far as Baradine and Coonamble to engage with STEM, test their skills, and explore potential careers in science and engineering.
Santos has proudly supported this event since 2016. This year, our volunteers helped guide students through a number of challenges that promoted teamwork through applying science and engineering principles in a fun and interactive environment. It truly is a community effort, and we are thrilled to continue working alongside Rotary to bring this inspiring initiative to our region.
Image: 2024 Science and Engineering Challenge.
Image: Representatives from University of Newcastle, Santos and Rotary with a student from Narrabri West Public School at the conclusion of day 2.
Helping Hands at Shared Table Narrabri
In June, we helped the Narrabri Shared Table Community Kitchen prepare a warm meal for more than 30 locals.
Shared Table is a not-for-profit organisation that relies on the generosity of individuals and businesses to donate food and time so that people in need can have access to a free meal and food hamper. Santos values its ongoing relationship with Narrabri Shared Table and is always pleased to be involved in assisting the dedicated team of volunteers who keep this vital community organisation running.
Image: Santos staff at Shared Table.
Narrabri Gas Project Approvals
NSW Government
On 30 September 2020, the NSW 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 Government
On 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.
Management plans are required as a condition of consent by the IPC. Copies of approved plans are available from the Narrabri Gas Project website.
Native Title
Santos notes the decision by the Full Federal Court to allow the appeal against the determination by the National Native Title Tribunal 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.
The Court has determined the National Native Title Tribunal erred at law by declining to have regard to evidence on climate impacts that was tendered on behalf of the Gomeroi applicant.
The Court did not make any adverse findings in relation to Santos’ conduct. Santos has at all times negotiated with the Gomeroi people in good faith.
The date for reconsideration is to be advised.
Santos will continue to engage with the Gomeroi Native Title Applicant in relation to the Hunter Gas Pipeline and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline.
Hunter Gas Pipeline and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline Activities
Hunter 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.
Santos continues to progress the construction of the first laydown yard as part of approved stage one early works. Construction of the yard is expected to be completed in the coming months. Santos is currently updating Stage 1 management plans to allow for the commencement of work on additional early works sites along the alignment.
Survey activities continue to be undertaken on both public and private lands to finalise the alignment within the approved 200m corridor.
Our land access team has continued to liaise with landholders along the route to continue discussions regarding the alignment, survey and deed of easement agreements. We encourage landholders to engage with our land access advisors to ensure any feedback or concerns can be addressed as part of the process to finalise the pipeline alignment. Landholders can contact our land access team at any time on 1300 427 546 or via email at info@huntergaspipeline.com.au.
Approvals and approved management plans relating to the Hunter Gas Pipeline and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline are available on the HGP website here.
HGP in the Community
HGP in the community
We've had a busy month of volunteering for the Salvation Army, attending the Gunnedah Campdraft, supporting the Gunnedah Working Dog Trials, and Murrurundi Bowling Club.
We were pleased to assist the Gunnedah Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal fundraising BBQ, where we helped serve an overwhelming stream of hungry customers!
The Gunnedah Campdraft hosted over 200 competitors with 700 entries across all event categories, including juniors. It's great to see this community event back for a second year after being impacted in preceding years by COVID and drought conditions.
The Gunnedah Dog Trials held a three day event over the June long weekend. The trials not only test the speed and agility of working dogs, it also tests their skills in cattle and yard work. We gladly assisted the event by providing panels for the cattle yards.
Murrurundi Bowling Club held the Santos Four's Open Bowling carnival, an annual tournament that attracts competitors from across the Newcastle, Upper Hunter and New England regions.
Image: Murrurundi Bowling Club Santos Four’s Open Bowling carnival.
Community Engagement
Santos is planning the sixth 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.
The Narrabri shopfront is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm with staff available during these times to speak in person or over the phone.
If you would like to speak to a member of the team or arrange a meeting, please call 1300 427 546.
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’ between the NGP and HGP, 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. The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report is being drafted for further consultation with the Registered Aboriginal Parties on its content. Santos is committed to consulting with Indigenous people about the Aboriginal cultural heritage values within the proposed project area to ensure their heritage is protected.
Narrabri Lateral Pipeline Assessment Process
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