Oz Santos Gets Approval for Shale Drilling in NT

Australian Santos July 24 announced it has received approval for onshore shale gas exploration in the Northern Territory since the moratorium was lifted in early 2018. The state had banned fracking three years ago which was lifted last year. 

The state government approved Santos’ drilling plan for the Tanumbirini 2H and Inacumba 1/1H wells in exploration permit 161 in the McArthur Basin, east of Daly Waters. Santos is operator of, and has a 75% interest in, the permit.

The green light for the resumption of drilling activities in the basin follows last month’s approval of the plan for civil works at and around the well locations, as well as the acquisition of 2D seismic data, Santos said.

“We drilled Tanumbirini 1 in 2014 and liked what we saw, so we are delighted to be in a position to resume exploration drilling,” Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher said.