During 2021 as Santos applied to vary their Environmental Protection Licence 20350 to downsize monitoring of groundwater in the Pilliga Forest we contacted a hydrogeologist at the EPA for answers to some of our questions. The EPA could not explain why the pH of Monitoring Point 13 rapidly dropped by 5 points (see Question 1). … Read more
Santos, the South Australian gas company, has lodged a Scoping Report for a new methane gas pipeline to connect its proposed Narrabri Gas Project (approved in 2020, but not yet commenced) with the yet-to-be built Hunter to Queensland Gas Pipeline some 60 km to the south east at the small town of Baan Baa. The … Read more
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 … Read more
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). When will they bring a … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
‘The Pilliga Project’ film by Natalie Haddad is about the threat of Santos’s destructive Narrabri gas project to the Pilliga forest and Australia’s food and water. The gas project will have ripple effects across NSW and Australia, threatening our food and water supply. Protecting the forest will protect Australia’s water supply for generations. During the … Read more
By Johanna Evans Load based licensing is a way of charging for polluting. Some activities cause more pollution than others and are therefore charged accordingly. You would expect the licence fee (Environmental Protection Licence or “EPL”) to fluctuate, as in some years more emissions may occur due to different activities undertaken by the operator. One … Read more