Australian LNG player Santos submitted the State Significant Development Application and associated Environmental Impact Statement for its Narrabri gas project to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
The proposed Narrabri gas project, located in North West New South Wales, could supply up to 50 percent of NSW gas needs and provide significant benefits to the region and the state more broadly. It is expected to bring up to $1.2 billion (Approx: US$909.3 million) in State royalties over its duration.
Santos said it would make the gas available to NSW and the east coast domestic market via a pipeline linking into the existing Moomba to Sydney pipeline. The pipeline will be constructed by APA Group and will be subject to a separate approval.
Santos’ managing director and CEO, Kevin Gallagher , said the company’s EIS assures the local Narrabri community and stakeholders that the project can proceed safely with minimal and manageable risk to the environment.
The EIS includes extensive studies and modeling on the environment in the project area, including on water, flora, fauna, soil, noise, air quality and cultural heritage.
Santos has also considered potential social impacts and conducted a thorough community and stakeholder consultation.
The company noted that a Groundwater Impact Assessment (GIA) was developed for the EIS to determine what impact the project would have on local water, finding it would have a negligible impact on existing water users.
Santos’ operations will be located on about 1000 hectares in and around the Pilliga near Narrabri.
The EIS will be placed on public exhibition by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and will be assessed against the requirements of the NSW and Commonwealth Governments to ensure it meets the environmental standards and that potential risks have been identified and mitigation strategies developed.
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