Santos withdraws applications for NT gas pipeline approval over legal challenge risk

Company is already in court fighting allegations it failed to properly consult Tiwi Islanders over another part of the Barossa project

• Get our free news app, morning email briefing or daily news podcast

Santos has withdrawn applications for government approval of a pipeline to its $4.7bn Barossa gas project near the Tiwi Islands and plans to rework and resubmit them because of fears within the company that they might not withstand legal challenge in their current state.

This week the company committed to spending $458m on the pipeline, which is to link the Barossa field, 265km north-west of Darwin, with its existing gas liquefaction plant at Wickham Point, in Darwin's harbour.

Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning