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Santos hit with fresh legal blow over $2.4 bln Narrabri gas project

An Australian indigenous group on Thursday won a legal difficulty on appeal against Santos' A$ 3.6 billion ($ 2.37 billion) gas extraction task near the town of Narrabri, raising the danger of delay to what might be a major development motorist.

The Federal Court of Australia ruled in favour of the Gomeroi People in an appeal versus a 2022 choice by a Native Title Tribunal, which approved the task and concluded its advantages surpassed issues it would harm the traditional owner's culture, land and waters and aggravate environment modification.

Santos on Thursday said the appeals court ruled the tribunal had actually erred by not weighing evidence about environment impact.

The celebrations should be given an opportunity to think about the Court's factors and attempt to settle on proper orders because of the Court's reasons, the court decision read.

Failing agreement, the parties need to be allowed to make submissions on appropriate orders.

The choice returns the task to the unpredictability of a. legal conflict months after Santos won a court battle enabling it. to resume pipeline building at its $4.3 billion Barossa gas. job.

Santos said last month it aimed for the task in. Narrabri in New South Wales to be prepared for a final financial investment. decision (FID) by 2025 topic to the Native Title choice.

A Santos representative did not react to '. questions about whether the appeal choice would affect the FID. date.

Santos said it would continue to overcome land access,. native title, pipeline licensing and staying environmental. approvals processes to get the Narrabri job prepared for a. final financial investment decision.

Shareholders have actually been pushing for radical action at Santos,. including hiving off lucrative liquefied natural gas assets, to. restore an anaemic share price that lost out on much of the. 2022 boom in energy stocks.

Santos shares were up 1.3% to A$ 7.28 at 3.20 p.m. (0420. GMT).

(source: Reuters)