“Let’s be clear. There is no action being taken against Sydney Gas on the Camden Gas Project,” Purcell said in a Corporate File Open Briefing yesterday.

“The speculation and press report emerged following our efforts to access one piece of land for one well site with one landowner.

“This matter has been referred to the Warden’s court for arbitration, which is not our preferred option. Wherever possible, we prefer to negotiate on an amicable basis.”

Be that as it may, Sydney Gas' public relations have tended to be anything but amicable, and the company has managed to stir up widespread public opposition to its Wyong Gas project.

But it does seem that the Camden project, located on Sydney's south-western fringe, is still on track.

The development program has 83 complete wells, with 68 connected to two gas plants.

Output is improving and by the end of next month operating revenue will make the operation cashflow positive, according to Purcell.

“This is a big milestone for the Camden Project. The monthly revenue base of $1 million in July is expected to increase over the next 12 months.”

The company expects to have 140 producing wells at Camden by the middle of next year.

It has 195 well sites in various stages from identification to completion. Of these, 83 wells are drilled and completed in stages one and two; at 29 other sites landowner agreements have been signed; another 37 wells have preliminary access agreements; 45 wells are currently in negotiation; and the remaining well site is subject to arbitration.