News

Maules Creek Coal Mine – Modification 9 – Biodiversity Offsets Submission

Maules Creek Coal Mine – Modification 9 – Biodiversity Offsets Submission

1 Introduction North West Protection Advocacy is based in Coonabarabran, New South Wales. We are a community group that conducts research and advocacy in relation to environmental impacts of hazardous industries in north-west New South Wales, particularly concerning the impacts of fossil extraction, transportation and production on forests, water and farms. We object to the Maules Creek Coal Mine Modification 9. Before providing a list of our reasons, we would like to make some comments about the public consultation process which we argue has impacted on the adequacy of the assessment of what…continue reading →
NSW & Pilliga Forest Coal Seam Gas Update

NSW & Pilliga Forest Coal Seam Gas Update

2022 is nearly over and in a big boost for the forest & community it would seem that Santos are unlikely to begin any actual drilling or operational activities before the end of the year as threatened. Both on the Liverpool Plains and in the Pilliga Forest. The company has spent the year finalizing its management plans which it says are complete & can be found on the Narrabri Gas Project website. In November the company placed undue pressure on the NSW Government to get them approved. In August Santos announced intention to…continue reading →
Questions Answered on what is happening in the Pilliga

Questions Answered on what is happening in the Pilliga

When will Santos start clearing? This is the question. We believe that all management plans (click on post-approval) need to have been approved before Santos can begin to clear. It is a possibility that Santos may begin clearing before years end for seismic surveys (length and location to be determined). The pink lines are indicative seismic lines • Image from the Santos Staging Request letter When will they bring a drill rig to drill new wells? Santos may bring a rig into the forest before years end if all management plans in place.…continue reading →
Media release – Santos ramps up gas production in Pilliga, GasWatch participants report

Media release – Santos ramps up gas production in Pilliga, GasWatch participants report

Santos has ramped up gas extraction in the Pilliga Forest under its exploration licence, deploying a type of drilling rig known as a flushby rig 40km south of Narrabri. They are conducting production enhancement and well suspensions, industry jargon for remedial works aimed at preparing gas wells for production. “Santos are using Queensland-based drilling contractors MPC Kinetic to conduct the works on several wells”, said a member of the GasWatch community monitoring team, Johanna Evans of North West Protection Advocacy. Santos state they release a monthly activity statement on their website which is…continue reading →
Santos PAL 2 Assets Overview Maps

Santos PAL 2 Assets Overview Maps

With the latest news that Santos have become very active in the Pilliga Forest over the last week of October we are going to be publishing documents specifically relating to Workover Operations that were procured by GIPA last year. Here are two current maps that detail stated drilling opportunities. Santos are currently working at Bohena 3.continue reading →
Latest GISERA/CSIRO report reveals groundwater vulnerability hot spots in Narrabri

Latest GISERA/CSIRO report reveals groundwater vulnerability hot spots in Narrabri

A delayed GISERA/CSIRO report on underground connectivity has revealed fault-related vulnerability of groundwater particularly in the north west of the Narrabri Gas project area, represented by the localities of Bohena Creek, Wilga Park and Yarrie Lake. Faults are geological structures which can allow movement of gas and contaminants from the coal seams to aquifers. The long-awaited Assessment of faults as potential connectivity pathways has been finally released with no media and no announcement, just as a quiet addition to the GISERA and CSIRO websites. This important study was not released until late April…continue reading →
Serious incidents explode Santos’ claims of safe operator

Serious incidents explode Santos’ claims of safe operator

News of the purchase of the Queensland Hunter Gas Pipeline (QHGP) by Santos for an undisclosed amount has put the gas producer’s safety record under scrutiny. Santos’ safety culture has been repeatedly questioned,  the most recent serious incident occurring on 5th July when dismantling a Santos oil rig off Varanus Island on the Western Australian coast. Australian Workers' Union National Secretary Daniel Walton described the incident as one of the “most horrifically scary accidents” the union has ever seen in the WA resources industry. He told 9 NEWS “It seems to be a race…continue reading →
Gas industry attempt to use BTEX chemicals averted by community pressure

Gas industry attempt to use BTEX chemicals averted by community pressure

An application by QGC and Shell to use BTEX-laced synthetic drilling muds during exploration has been averted following community opposition. QGC/Shell applied to the Department of Environment & Science in Queensland in early June to be given approval to use the currently banned BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene) compounds in synthetic drilling muds under its Authority to Prospect (ATP 645) on the Western Darling Downs near Glenmorgan. BTEX is a serious groundwater contaminant with public health implications. The 150-page application was produced by AECOM, an American multinational engineering consultancy. After becoming aware of…continue reading →
NSW Government deceives farmers and quietly reduces CSG areas by 77% while Santos delay Phase 1

NSW Government deceives farmers and quietly reduces CSG areas by 77% while Santos delay Phase 1

The NSW Government has sent a clear signal to would-be investors in the coal seam gas industry in NSW by slashing 77% off the area designated for exploration. Just four Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs) out of 12 have quietly been renewed by Deputy Premier and Resources Minister Paul Toole MP, a Government backflip that has placed some of the best agricultural country in Australia under gas exploration licences. Minister Toole chose the day before Easter to renew the hugely controversial Liverpool Plains PELs 1 & 12 and the Pilliga Narrabri Gas Project PEL…continue reading →
Santos declares war on Gomeroi Native Title over Narrabri Pilliga gas field

Santos declares war on Gomeroi Native Title over Narrabri Pilliga gas field

In a declaration of war against the cultural heritage of the Gomeroi Traditional Owners of the Pilliga Forest, Santos Ltd will challenge the Gomeroi Nation in the Native Title Tribunal at the Federal Court on 8 April 2022 over an overwhelming decision by the Nation to block the Narrabri Pilliga Gas Project. The decision at the Meeting of the Nation from 22 to 25 March 2022 showed that support for Santos within the Gomeroi is extremely small in numbers. Gomeroi Native Title applicants have called on Santos to abandon its coal seam gas…continue reading →