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 will soon be conducting activities in the Kahlua area within PEL 1, approximately 20km west of Gunnedah. The activities have been approved by the NSW Resources Regulator and include restarting the four existing pilot wells we have in the area.
It is proposed that the civil and construction works will commence in 2023 and take approximately three months. The appraisal activities will then continue for up to two years.
Click here to view a fact sheet about the Kahlua pilot well reactivation
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 has been reviewed and approved by the NSW Resources Regulator.
View the Activity Approval here
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.