Santos' Pilliga exploration plans approved

The Narrabri Coal Seam Gas Utilisation project received final approval from the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) to drill four new pilot wells, re-entry of three existing wells for lateral drilling and construction of related infrastructure.

Exploration of the Pilliga gasfield would pave the way for a production operation comprising over 800 wells.

According to conservation group the Wilderness Society, the PAC should have requested further detail from Santos before issuing the approval.

“How can the Planning Assessment Commission approve drilling when Santos has not revealed any plans on how it will treat the toxic coal seam gas waste water, which has been the source of at least 20 spills in the Pilliga forest, including the contamination of an aquifer with uranium and other toxic heavy metals?” said Wilderness Society Newcastle campaigner Dr Geoff Evans.

Submissions to the PAC from opponents to the Utilisation project centred on three issues - lack of baseline data on water and potential water/land contamination, lack of confidence in modelling and monitoring (of water resources) and adequacy of joint sealing in underground CSG pipes.

The PAC's approval report said Santos' exploration work would "investigate the potential for securing gas from this region, while the location of the well sites”.

Santos exploration work is “minor” and of “short duration and (is) essentially aimed at exploration,” the PAC said

Santos said the Utilisation project would see small scale drilling “in an area where exploration activities are already occurring."

“The PAC’s decision regarding the Bibblewindi and Dewhurst applications is consistent with the Department of Planning’s detailed assessment of the applications, concluding that any potential impacts can be managed.”

No firm deadline has been set to commence work at the Utilisation project.

Santos said it would start when a drill rig becomes available will "keep the community updated on all planned activities".