New South Wales Cancels Three More Coal Seam Gas Licences

Australian state of New South Wales has cancelled three more coal seam gas licences, according to local media reports.

On Friday, Minister for Resources & Energy, Anthony Roberts announced cancellation of three Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs), following buy-backs from Dart Energy.

Roberts sais PEL 459 covered 555,943ha between Armidale, Gunnedah, Narrabri and southeast of Moree; PEL 464 covered 73,720ha northwest of Gunnedah; and, PEL 460 covered 352,362ha northwest of Wisemans Ferry, surrounding Wollemi and south of Bylong.

With state election approaching, coal seam gas is becoming a big issue.

In recent days, NSW has bought back PELs from held by Pangaea Resources and AGL Energy Limited (AGL).

On March 4 the government announced buy back of PELs 437 and 476 held by Pangaea and on March 8, AGL sold back to the NSW Government a licence to explore for gas on the Central Coast.