Minister Roberts with Santos General Manager Energy NSW Peter Mitchley and Wilga Park Power Station Operator David McFarland
NSW Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts reiterated the Government’s support for the Narrabri Gas Project during a visit to our Narrabri Operations this week.
Santos General Manager of Energy NSW Peter Mitchley hosted the Minister and took the opportunity to update him on the importance of our proposed Narrabri Gas Project and highlight the significant benefits the Project can bring to the state.
In NSW Santos is seeking approval to construct up to 850 natural gas wells on up to 425 sites in and around the Pilliga. The Project could supply up to half of the natural gas used by NSW households, businesses and industry.
As reported in the Narrabri Courier, Mr Roberts said “It is critical that this project goes forward for NSW.”
“The natural gas industry has the potential to bring real wealth and hope to rural and regional areas like Narrabri shire.
“In Narrabri’s case, the gas industry can deliver jobs, provide careers, kids won’t have to leave town, farmers can source extra income and re-invest in their farm and bring back the kind of wealth they haven’t seen for generations.
“And as the gas industry expands in appropriate areas, adhering to the strict approvals regime in place, we are going to see towns that are drought proofed, we are going to see towns that will discover prosperity that they haven’t seen for generations.
“We will give regional NSW back its pride and that’s why I am enormously proud as the Energy Minister.”
During a presentation to staff at the Narrabri Operations Centre, Mr Roberts said he was “very proud to have Santos and its professionalism here in NSW.”
“You are doing an absolutely sterling job,” Mr Roberts said.
“This is where the leadership is being shown.”
Santos General Manager of Energy NSW Peter Mitchley said, “It was a very productive day and the discussions were positive.”
“It was great to show the Minister around our field and highlight the high quality of our work. Our team does a fantastic job and I am always proud to show anyone our operations near Narrabri,” Mr Mitchley said.
“The Minister was able to see firsthand the high standard of our operations and our commitment to safety and environmental sustainability.
“The Minister was also able to meet some of the landholders who host our activities. These are landholders we have been working with for several years now and we have built strong and respectful relationships with them.”
The tour took in:
- Natural gas pilot wells at Dewhurst South on State Forest land
- Pilot wells on privately-owned land at Tintsfield
- Santos’ Wilga Park Power Station
- A water monitoring bore on private land
- Santos Narrabri Operations Centre