DLA Piper advises Senex Energy on Commonwealth environmental approvals for ARC Pipeline and Atlas Stage 3

Following the recent approval of Senex Energy’s Atlas to Reedy Creek Pipeline (ARC Pipeline) in Queensland – by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water – Senex has now received a further approval to develop and operate its Atlas Stage 3 Project in the Surat Basin under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

“This is a transformative step for Senex Energy’s plan to bring new gas to the east coast market,” said Alex Jones, Global Co-Chair, Energy & Natural Resources, DLA Piper.

“We were delighted to play a role in delivering this nationally significant project, which will improve energy supply and bolster the Queensland economy,” Alex said.

The ARC Pipeline will transport natural gas produced in the Surat Basin near Wandoan, Queensland, including Atlas Stage 3 Project, and is part of a USD1 billion investment plan by Senex Energy to boost domestic gas supply to the east coast market.

“DLA Piper deployed a multi-disciplinary team of experts who assisted Senex Energy on environmental, contractual, risk and stakeholder related matters,” said Tom Fotheringham, Partner, Projects.

“The pipeline and related projects will support local businesses, while creating hundreds of jobs and enabling more reliable energy supply,” Tom added.

Jade Nelson, Special Counsel and DLA Piper’s environmental lead in Australia, also commented that the outcome is testament to Senex’s ability to develop a robust and tangible offset strategy which, in turn, was instrumental in securing Departmental approval for the project.

The DLA Piper team was led by Alex Jones (Global Co-Chair, Energy & Natural Resources, DLA Piper) and Brisbane-based Tom Fotheringham (Partner, Projects). They were assisted by Jack Brumpton (Partner, Projects), Laura Nagy (Special Counsel, Litigation and Regulatory), Jade Nelson (Special Counsel, Projects), Lisa Huynh (Senior Associate, Projects) and Mariko Hunt (Solicitor, Projects).

“This significant mandate was a strong demonstration of our capacity to navigate complex infrastructure projects,” Alex Jones added.