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Narrabri Gas Project (PEL 238)
Activities Update
August 2023
Welcome to the August issue of the Narrabri Gas Project (PEL238) Monthly Activity Update for 2023. There’s been lots of exciting news and events in the Narrabri region over the past month, read on to find out what’s been happening in the Narrabri Gas Project area.
Community Investment Program Highlights
Rugby Union Sponsors Day
The annual Narrabri Rugby Sponsors Day took place in Narrabri last month bringing all top sponsorship tiers together under the one tent. Over 200 people were in attendance with 70 landholders, suppliers and stakeholders joining the Santos team to watch the Moree Weabolla Bulls take on the Narrabri Blue Boars. It’s a rivalry like no other in Central North Rugby Union and it delivered again at Dangar Park as they contested a 25-all draw in round 13 of the first-grade campaign.
Through attendance and hosting events like this, Santos is committed to strengthening relationships within the community by keeping stakeholders updated about our activities.
Community Engagement
Narrabri Rugby League Mental Health Round
The Narrabri Blues Rugby League Team recently held a Mental Health Awareness Round.
Sponsoring such a worthy cause is of immense significance to small towns like Narrabri, it's more than just a financial contribution; it's an investment in our community's mental wellbeing. This event creates an environment where mental health discussions are normalised, and resources are made available to those in regional communities who need them.
This was the first time the Blues have organised a Mental Health Round and the first time Santos has partnered with the Blues. The event had a great turnout, the round amplified the message that mental health matters and that no one is alone in their struggles. This display of empathy and solidarity goes a long way in breaking down barriers, promoting understanding and building a healthier, more resilient community.
Hunter Gas Pipeline
The Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP) Pty Ltd is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Santos. The proposed underground pipeline route passes close to Santos’ Narrabri Gas Project (NGP). The goal is to work with infrastructure developers and landholders to construct a pipeline that will deliver much-needed gas to the east coast domestic market in the shortest timeframe possible.
The 833-kilometre pipeline already has planning approval from the NSW and Queensland governments. Once constructed, it will potentially connect the Wallumbilla Gas Supply Hub in Queensland to NSW, providing a second route to southern markets for Queensland gas and adding competition to the domestic market. The HGP has been designed with offtake points at various regional towns along the route, and the corridor was selected to ensure minimum impact on communities, landowners, and the environment.
Santos continues to work with all stakeholders including Government, local councils, Traditional Owners and landholders along the proposed Hunter Gas Pipeline and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline routes to progress the projects.
Field surveys continue to be undertaken along the proposed alignment.
If you would like to speak to a member of the team or arrange a meeting, please call 1300 427 546.
Narrabri Lateral Pipeline
The Narrabri Lateral Pipeline will connect the approved Narrabri Gas Project (NGP) and Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP), transporting natural gas to the existing transmission network near Newcastle.
On 9 December 2022, the NSW Government declared the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline a Critical State Significant Infrastructure project on the basis that it is deemed essential to NSW for economic reasons.
Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) were issued by the NSW Government on 9 February 2023 which specify what issues are required to be addressed within the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Santos will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, which will be subject to extensive community consultation and a full environmental assessment.
The Narrabri Lateral Pipeline SEARs can be viewed on the NSW Planning portal website here.
Registration of Interested Aboriginal Parties
Santos is continuing to liaise with the Registered Aboriginal Parties concerning 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.
Operations Update
Drilling activities
Santos continues to drill shallow water monitoring bores in accordance with project approvals.
Santos will undertake a workover program through Q3 and Q4 2023.
Pilot wells
Bibblewindi East, Bibblewindi West and Dewhurst South pilot 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.
Ecological surveys are underway to support the NGP, HGP and NLP projects.
As the previous operator of petroleum exploration licence (PEL) 456, Santos is required to undertake decomissioning works to finalise the rehabilitation of the Brawboy 2 well. These activities are proposed to occur before the end of 2023 and will take approximately two weeks to complete and will be undertaken in accordance with strict regulatory requirements to ensure the safe abandonment of our infrastructure.
PEL 1
In accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021, on 12 January 2023, Santos lodged with the NSW Resources Regulator an application to conduct exploration activities for assessable prospecting operations, PEL 1 – Kahlua Pilot Reactivation including a Review of Environmental Factors.
This application has been reviewed and approved by the NSW Resources Regulator. To view the approval, please click here.
The approved activities are scheduled to be undertaken in the coming month.
Community Consultation
Community Consultative Committee
A 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, 12 September 2023.
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.
- Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Group
- Biodiversity Advisory Group
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Advisory Group
- Water Technical Advisory Group
Project Approvals
NSW Government
On 30 September 2020, the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) approved the Narrabri Gas 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.
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 recently heard in Brisbane, with a decision anticipated by the end of 2023.
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 a strong track record of working collaboratively with First Nations peoples in Australia and internationally.
The company has a range of cultural heritage and native title agreements in place with 23 Traditional Owner Groups and six Aboriginal Land Councils around Australia.
Santos has been consulting and working with the Gomeroi people since 2012, and in formal negotiations regarding the Narrabri Gas Project since 2015.
Narrabri natural gas is essential to ensure Australia’s energy transition to renewables and cleaner energy technologies maintains both energy security and affordability for all Australians over the coming decades.
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