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. Approval to restart the four existing pilot wells was approved by the NSW Resources Regulator in March 2023. The civil construction works commenced in Q4 2023 and dewatering of the pilot wells commenced in February 2024. Santos is seeking approval from the NSW Government to operate for a further two years to ensure that the data required to fully assess resource potential is obtained. Minor civil and construction works, including the installation of a small solar array to provide power to the wells, as well as work over activities as required are proposed.
Activity Approval of Assessable Prospecting Operations – PEL 1 Kahlua Pilot Reactivation
In accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021, on 12 January 2023, Santos lodged with the NSW Resources Regulator an application to conduct exploration activities for assessable prospecting operations, PEL 1 – Kahlua Pilot Reactivation including a Guideline Review of Environmental Factors. This application was reviewed and approved by the NSW Resources Regulator.
View the Activity Approval 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
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
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.