PEL 1
Activity Approval of Assessable Prospecting Operations – PEL 1 Seismic Survey
In accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021, on 12 September 2022, Santos lodged with the NSW Resources Regulator an application to conduct exploration activities for assessable prospecting operations, PEL 1 – seismic survey including a Guideline Review of Environmental Factors. The NSW Resources Regulator granted the activity approval on 31 October 2022.
View the Application here
View the Activity Approval here
Seismic Survey
In January 2023, Santos conducted a seismic survey in a small area to the southwest of Gunnedah to gain a better understanding of the subsurface geology of this area. This activity was approved by the NSW Government and is part of our exploration activity in petroleum exploration licence (PEL) 1, which the government renewed in 2022.
Seismic surveying is the most effective, low impact method to gain a better understanding of the subsurface geology of the area.
Click here to view a detailed fact sheet about seismic surveys
Click here to view map of seismic survey area
Kahlua area activities
Santos is conducting exploration and appraisal activities in the Kahlua area within PEL 1, approximately 20km west of Gunnedah. The restart of the four existing pilot wells commenced in Q4 2023 and dewatering of the pilot wells commenced in February 2024. An Activity Approval (APO0002071) was granted by the NSW Resources Regulator on 1 December 2025.
The Activity Approval authorises:
Operation of the four exploration wells and gas flaring infrastructure to continue until whichever is the sooner of:
- A further two years until 31 December 2027
- The point in time at which the cumulative produced water extraction volume of 18ML is reached
Ongoing exploration and appraisal activities until 31 December 2027 including:
- Operation of the buried gas and water flowlines and power cables, access tracks, water storage and diesel storage.
- Maintenance and well workover activities.
- Possible construction and operation of a small solar array, two batteries and inverters, within the Existing Disturbance Footprint.
View the Resources Regulator Outcome Report here
View Activity Approval APO00002071 here
Historic Activity Approvals
Santos conducted exploration activities within its tenures around the Gunnedah and Upper Hunter areas. The relevant REF documents are set out below.
2007
2008
2009
Longlea 1 Pump Test Supplementary Management Plan
Blackville 1 Supplementary Management Plan
Coulson 1 Supplementary Management Plan
Rouchel Rouchel 1 Supplementary Management Plan
Warah1 Supplementary Management Plan
Tintsfield Pilot Activity Approval
Tintsfield Pilot Review of Environmental Factors
2010
Kahlua Pilot Test Single Well Pilot
Kahlua Shallow Aquifer Monitoring Bore
Gananny 1 Supplementary Management Plan
2011
Brawboy Vertical Seismic Profile
Georges Island Glasserton Appendix A Glasserton Goundwater Impact Study
Georges Island Glasserton Appendix B Glasserton Ecological Assessment
Georges Island Glasserton Appendix C Noise Emissions Report
Georges Island Glasserton Appendix D Cultural Heritage
Georges Island Glasserton Appendix E Glasserton Pilot Well Designs
Georges Island Glasserton Appendix F Environmental Management Plan
2013
Tintsfield Pilot Recommencement and Flare Supplementary Review of Environmental Factors
Tintsfield Pilot Recommencement and Flare Supplementary REF Additional Information
Tintsfield Pilot Recommencement and Flare Activity Approval
2016
Tintsfield Pilot Recommencement and Flare Amended Activity Approval
Environment Protection Licensing
‘Petroleum exploration, assessment and production’ is a scheduled activity listed in Schedule 1 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act). Under section 48 of the POEO Act, all scheduled activities are required to hold an environment protection licence.
EPL 20351 covering PEL 1 and PEL 12 in the area around Gunnedah
EPL 20352 covering PEL 456 in the Upper Hunter area.