Santos, Tiwi Federal Court decision to face appeal to renew $4.7bn offshore gas project
Santos has launched an appeal to regain its drilling rights for a $4.7bn offshore gas project off the Northern Territory coast.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SANTOS has launched an appeal to regain its drilling rights for a $4.7bn offshore gas project off the Northern Territory coast.
Federal Court Chief Justice James Allsop said he would expedite an appeal against a decision that revoked Santos’s drilling environment plan.
Justice Mordecai Bromberg found the gas regulator, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, inappropriately granted the drilling licence in the Timor Sea.
Plaintiff Munupi Senior Lawman Dennis Tipakalippa argued successfully before Justice Bromberg that the regulator was not only wrong to approve the licence, but had “failed to proceed reasonably”.
Justice Bromberg said NOPSEMA failed to ensure Santos engaged with the Munupi Traditional Owners before drilling into their Sea Country, 138km from Tiwi Islands.
As a result, Santos was given two weeks until October 6 to safely shut down and remove their drilling operation from the Barossa Gas fields.
The day the Federal Court decision was handed down, Santos immediately indicated it would appeal the decision.
In a preliminary hearing before Justice Allsop Santos on Monday, Santos called for an administrative law review.
Representatives from Santos, NOPSEMA Mr Tipakalippa’s barrister, Claire Harris KC, agreed to appear before the full bench of the Federal Court.
The specific date and the Justices who will assess the appeal have yet to be confirmed.
Justice Allsop will assess if it is necessary for the Justices to be “native title experts” to review the case.
More Coverage
Originally published as Santos, Tiwi Federal Court decision to face appeal to renew $4.7bn offshore gas project
Top Territory bigwigs’ 2025 resolutions revealed
A number of top Territory officials have revealed their resolutions for 2025 – with pledges to reduce crime and bring positivity to the NT community on the agenda.
It’s time the Northern Territory put a stop to sit down money
It’s the problem no-one seems to want to know about. The thing that holds back the Territory, further entrenches disadvantage and increases alcohol abuse. It’s the curse of sit-down money, writes Matt Cunningham.