Santos receives government approval for Narrabri gas project

Oil and gas firm Santos has welcomed the New South Wales (NSW) government’s recommendation to approve its planning application for the Narrabri gas project in Australia.

Being developed by Santos, Narrabri Gas Project is a coal-seam gas (CSG) project currently under development in the Gunnedah Basin, NSW, Australia.

Santos noted that the final assessment report for the project will now be considered by NSW’s Independent Planning Commission (IPC). A decision is due in 12 weeks after the commission carries out a pubic consultation process with respect to the project.

Santos managing director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said: “Narrabri means more jobs and more investment in New South Wales and the local region, and lower gas and electricity prices for customers in the state.

“We welcome the positive recommendation from the New South Wales Department of Planning and the sensible, independent planning process the project is going through.

“Santos already has appraisal wells powering the equivalent of 23,000 households in north-west New South Wales from Wilga Park Power Station, there are 16 Santos people living and working in Narrabri, we’re buying goods and services locally, and we’re in a position to ramp up our activity and get back to drilling more appraisal wells as soon as a decision is taken.”

The project is expected to provide for up to 50% of NSW’s gas needs, while delivering significant benefits to the local community and surrounding region.

Gas produced by the project will be transported to the NSW market via a new pipeline connection to the existing Moomba-Sydney pipeline.

Gallagher added: “The time for political games is over. We want to get on with creating jobs in New South Wales and Narrabri and making a real difference to people’s lives in rural and regional communities.”

In February 2017, Santos submitted the State Significant Development Application and associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Narrabri gas project to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.