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Police were called and a coal seam gas company could not get to a seismic testing site for six hours after farmers from the Liverpool Plains blockaded a conservation site.
Key points:
- Farmers met late Saturday to plan the blockade
- Santos maintains that no damage will be caused by seismic testing
- Farmers say they will continue their fight against the oil and gas company
The late Saturday night decision saw more than 60 farmers use their vehicles the following day to block Santos trucks from accessing the Wondoba State Conservation Area, south of Gunnedah.
One of those farmers, Rosemary Nankivell, said the group feared the work would cause harm to native animals and water.
"The Liverpool Plains sit over the Namoi catchment. There are heaps of communities, farmers, and livestock that depend on our water," she said.
Ms Nankivell said farmers were concerned fracking would be used if the seismic testing progressed to full-scale gas production.
"Coal and gas extraction is not welcome on the Liverpool Plains and never will be," she said.
But Santos said it had no intention of using the controversial practice.
"Santos has no plans to use hydraulic fracture stimulation as part of the Narrabri Gas Project. We are not seeking approval for its use as part of the Narrabri Gas Project EIS," a spokesperson said.
"Due to the geology of the coal in the project area, we do not believe the technique will increase gas flows in the coal seams we are targeting."
Santos acquired the Hunter Gas Pipeline in August last year after obtaining renewed licences to explore for petroleum.
Australian Coalbed Methane Pty Limited (ACM) is a company that focuses on gas exploration in NSW. Together with Santos they hold a claim over the lands.
Santos contacted local police to assist with the six-hour blockade.
In a statement, Santos said the seismic survey did not impact groundwater or farming land in any way.
"All activity will be carried out in accordance with the permissions and requirements of our tenures and the environmental protections in place, including approved management plans and regulations," the statement said.
"The surveying work near Gunnedah is not associated with the Authority to Survey for the Hunter Gas Pipeline; it is to understand the gas resource potential of the area."
In April last year, the New South Wales government renewed the licence for Santos to explore for petroleum, referred to as a PEL for a further five years, until April 2028.
Ms Nankivell said this would not be the end for the farmers in their fight against Santos.
"There are always plans in the pipeline, we're trying to bring an awareness to the people of New South Wales how important the Liverpool Plains are," she said.
Santos confirmed the testing would be finalised today.