Santos general manager (energy) NSW Peter Mitchley said that Narrabri was progressing, despite the fall in the oil price over the past month.

“Santos has been similarly impacted by this oil price decline and like other companies, we are reviewing our operations to ensure all our capital programs are appropriate for the current environment,” Mitchley said.

“The natural gas contained in Santos’ New South Wales licences remain vital to the future economic viability of domestic manufacturing and in putting downward pressure on the cost of energy for families in NSW.

“Santos’ Narrabri gas project is being progressed with our environmental impact statement close to finalisation which is a critical step along the governmental approval pathway. We will take the necessary time to ensure this document is of the highest standard.”

Mitchley thanked the local community, including those that work with and for the company, along with the local landholders for their ongoing support.

“Santos remains focused on supplying natural gas to the 1 million families in NSW that use our product in their homes and the tens of thousands of people who rely on the energy provided by gas for their employment,” Mitchley said.

“Our current operations in NSW will continue as we work with investors, customers, the NSW government and our local community.

“The time frame of any investment decision enabling first gas from this project depends upon a range of factors including the appropriate support from all these stakeholders.”

Santos was last month dismissed as “misguided” an Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis report that said Narrabri could have “little to no role” in addressing rising gas prices.

This month, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW roped in a Liverpool Plains farmer to call on the state government to stop what he called the “financially unviable” Narrabri project.