Dormant gas exploration licences emerge as next frontier in New South Wales gas battle SatSaturday 13 updated SatSaturday 13 A dormant gas license covers this cattle farm in Bunnan. ( Share Print text only Cancel About a decade ago, a coal seam gas company went door knocking in the New South Wales Upper Hunter. Key points: The approval of the Narrabri Gas project has energised gas companies Twelve dormant gas licenses cover 55,000 square kilometres in north-west NSW, and have renewal applications pending The state government's Future of Gas statement is expected in the coming months What happened next would drive a wedge through Anne Bishop's family.