Santos says it will continue to seek approvals for Barossa gas project after major setback

A leading Australian gas producer has vowed to crack on with a controversial gas project. We take you inside the latest Santos Barossa court decision and what the company plans to do next.

Australian oil and gas producer Santos has vowed to press on with the Barossa gas project despite a Federal Court setback.

The Federal Court last week dismissed Santos’ appeal against its September decision that overturned Santos’ environmental approval for the $4.7bn project.

Approximately 300km northwest of Darwin, Barossa is an offshore gas and condensate project that will deliver a new source of natural gas to ConocoPhillips’ existing Darwin LNG facility.

It will involve construction of a floating production storage and offloading facility, subsea production system and pipeline.

Tiwi traditional owners argued Santos had not properly consulted prior to project approval by the National Offshore Petroleum and Safety Environmental Management Authority.

Munupi clan traditional owner Dennis Tipakalippa shocked Santos when the original judgement was handed down and again on Friday when the appeal was rejected.

The Santos pipeline is proposed to be built about 140km from the Tiwi Islands

Santos managing director and chief executive Kevin Gallagher said the Federal Court decision would not impact the Barossa project’s schedule.

“Santos notes the decision by the Full Federal Court today to dismiss the appeal from Justice

Bromberg’s decision in September, which set aside NOPSEMA’s approval of the Barossa

Gas Project’s Drilling Environment Plan,” Mr Gallagher said.

“Santos has consulted with Traditional Owners and their representative bodies on the

Barossa Gas Project since 2016 and will continue to do so, taking into account the guidance

provided by the Court.

“With a range of cultural heritage and native title agreements across 23 Traditional Owner

Groups and six Land Councils around Australia, Santos has a strong track record of working

constructively and collaboratively with Traditional Owners.

“Santos has always sought to meet its consultation responsibilities and is continuing the

process of revising the Drilling Environment Plan to address the matters contained in the

judgement.

APPEA chief executive Samantha McCulloch says investors in the resources sector face uncertainty. Picture: Tom Huntley

“Further, Santos will now proceed with applications for all remaining approvals in accordance

with the guidance provided by the Court.

“As a result, Santos does not anticipate any material cost or schedule impact, and first gas

from the Barossa Gas Project remains on track to be delivered in the first half of 2025.”

Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association chief executive Samantha McCulloch said investors in Australia’s resources sector face increasing approval uncertainty.

“There is now the risk of more delays and obstacles in the progression of important energy projects, postponing new supply that is needed to deliver energy security, emissions reductions and substantial economic returns for Australians,” she said.