Santos accused of ‘stringing everybody along’ over Narrabri gas project

CEO tells investors firm won’t ‘exert any effort’ while it awaits approvals as opponents urge the miner to ‘spike the project finally’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Santos chief executive, Kevin Gallagher, has told an investor briefing the company will not be “exerting any effort” on its Narrabri gas project while it awaits outstanding approvals, prompting fresh questions about the future of the controversial development. Gallagher told investors this week the company was prioritising exploration in the Northern Territory’s Beetaloo Basin, where it is pursuing an expansion. He said a strategic review had determined Santos reserves in eastern Queensland and Western Australia’s Browse Basin should be “deprioritised”. According to the published briefing, the Narrabri project in north-west New South Wales would be subject to “further review” in 2027 after the company completed an appraisal of its Beetaloo reserves. “Narrabri, it’s really about just focusing on approvals and … you know, continue with that, but again, not spending any capital or exerting any effort on that