Hydraulic fracture stimulation (commonly referred to as “fraccing” or “fracking”) is a technique used to improve the flow of natural gas from a well. Water, sand and a small amount of chemicals are pumped into a well and down into the coal seam at high pressure to open up fractures in the coal. The sand remains in the fractures to hold them open, allowing more gas to flow, and the fluid is pumped back out of the well. The technique has been safely used throughout Australia for over 40 years.
Santos will not use hydraulic fracture stimulation as part of the Narrabri Gas Project and has no approval to do so.