The Federal Court has ordered Santos to halt its Barossa gas project at the eleventh hour. 

Santos's $5.6 billion Barossa gas project faced a last-minute delay, just as the company was set to begin the construction of an underwater gas export pipeline north of Darwin. 

An emergency injunction, sought by a Tiwi Islands traditional owner, was granted by the Federal Court last Thursday morning. 

As a result, Santos must immediately pause the installation of the proposed 263-kilometre pipeline until at least November 13, when the matter will return to court.

The delay is due to concerns by local Indigenous groups regarding underwater sacred sites west of the Tiwi Islands, and the potential damage to ancient burial sites, dreaming tracks, and cultural artefacts posed by the pipeline's location. 

While Santos argued they had conducted their underwater cultural survey and found no specific heritage places along the pipeline route, the court granted the injunction.

Justice Charlesworth acknowledged the significant financial loss Santos would face due to the delayed pipeline works, but the decision prioritises the protection of cultural heritage. 

The matter will return to court on November 13, considering a second injunction that could prevent Santos from building the pipeline until an updated environment plan is developed.

Santos is already facing budget and schedule challenges for the Barossa gas project, with the delay potentially impacting its targeted start-up in 2025. 

Indigenous groups have raised concerns about the project's impact on cultural heritage, and the company will continue to defend itself in Federal Court proceedings. 

This delay represents another obstacle for the project, with ongoing scrutiny over its potential environmental and cultural impacts.