The mining company that had its controversial coal seam drilling licence suspended by the NSW government says it has had its name cleared by the state's corruption watchdog.
Energy Minister Anthony Roberts suspended Metgasco's licence at Bentley in northern NSW in May after an audit found the company failed to undertake proper consultation with the community.
The minister also referred information about shareholdings and interests in Metgasco to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
In a letter sent to Metgasco's lawyers on Monday, ICAC deputy commissioner Theresa Hamilton said there was "no information currently before the commission that Metgasco's shareholder arrangements fall within the ICAC's jurisdiction".
Metgasco says that makes it clear there was no information in the government's referral to the ICAC that was indicative of corrupt conduct.
Chairman Len Gill said Mr Roberts' referral to the corruption watchdog had caused "major damage" to Metgasco's reputation.
"We were shocked and extremely disappointed that the minister chose to publicly name Metgasco," he said in a statement.
"We are pleased to clear the company's name so quickly."
Mr Roberts defended his decision to refer Metgasco to the ICAC.
"Based on the information provided, the minister was compelled under the act to refer this information as it had been presented to him from three different sources that day," a spokesman for Mr Roberts said in a statement.
"The minister made the information available to ICAC in good faith and made no allegation concerning the company."
The spokesman said the decision to suspend the company's drilling licence was an "entirely separate issue" from the ICAC referral.
He said the company must now demonstrate it had undertaken "genuine and effective consultation with the community" on its Bentley CSG site.
The decision to suspend the licence came only days before thousands of protesters were expected to bolster a blockade outside the Bentley drill site against up to 800 police officers.
Mr Gill said in May the decision had cost the company about $3 million.
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