News

The Onshore Shale Gas Community and Business Reference Group (Reference Group) held its fifth meeting in Darwin on 28 August 2019.
Established to provide a forum for government to seek advice and share information, the Reference Group received updates on:

• baseline methane monitoring and groundwater characteristics of the Beetaloo Sub-basin
• the public comment process for Environment Management Plans
• the progress of the Framework for Strategic Regional Environmental and Baseline Assessments (SREBA)
• key actions to support industry development, and position NT businesses to benefit from development of the onshore gas industry, which include:
  • a study into the infrastructure and logistics required to support development of the onshore industry
  • a study to map existing industry capabilities and what work is being delivered by local firms and joint ventures to support the development of the offshore industry
  • planning for an NT Oil and Gas Service and Supply Strategy and Action Plan to identify and build local capability, strengthen local procurement strategies, workforce capability and local participation.

The Reference Group discussed the implementation priorities for 2019-20, and acknowledged that as at 28 August 2019, 54 of the 135 recommendations were fully implemented with a further 73 commenced.

Communique 5 from this meeting has been published and is available here

The Petroleum Reserved Block Policy (no-go zones) is available here

To read the Implementation Plan or access additional information, please visit hydraulicfracturing.nt.gov.au
To read the Inquiry report and recommendations, please visit frackinginquiry.nt.gov.au

Or you can contact the Hydraulic Fracturing Inquiry Implementation Taskforce at hydraulic.fracturing@nt.gov.au

FEDERAL Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan told the South East Asia Australia Offshore and Onshore Conference yesterday, that the federal government will support the development of a manufacturing hub in Darwin and that the key to a flourishing industry lies in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.

Speaking at the conference, the minister noted that the government had learned from mistakes from the past - namely the lack of a gas reservation policy in Queensland over the last decade which has seen gas produced for export and little left for the domestic market.

Canavan told conference-goers that the government was keen to establish a national gas reservation scheme to ensure gas produced from the Beetaloo would support the manufacturing industry and domestic market.

"We are determined not to repeat the mistakes that we made in Queensland, in the Northern Territory," he said.

"Almost a decade ago now when the Queensland coal seam gas fields were being developed, no one was in charge of looking at what their development would mean for the domestic gas market.

"We shouldn't make the same mistakes twice though. That is why the government has announced that we will consult on the design of a national gas reservation scheme.

The suggestion of a gas reservation policy for the NT comes around 12 months after Santos chief Kevin Gallagher urged a rethink on reservation for the top end.

"The Northern Territory and the Beetaloo Basin are obvious candidates to benefit from such a scheme," Canavan said.

Canavan also used his speech to reaffirm the government's commitment to support the Northern Territory to develop its "world class" oil and gas resources, which he said would lead to the establishment of a massive industrial hub in the state.

Earlier this week chemical manufacturer Coogee announced it would build a $500 million methanol plant in Darwin which would require 40 terajoules of gas per day.

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here.

West Australian chemical company Coogee has commenced a feasibility study into a methanol plant near Darwin.

The 350,000 tonne per annum methanol plant would be located at Middle Arm industrial precinct. A final investment decision is expected in Quarter 1 early 2021, with construction commencing soon after.

The Project will cost approximately $500 million and commence operating in 2024, and is estimated to create around 1000 jobs during construction and 350 direct and indirect jobs on an ongoing basis.

Last year Chief Minister Michael Gunner unveiled the NT Government’s 5-Point NT Gas Strategy – aimed at driving Government’s vision for the Territory as a world class hub for gas production, manufacturing and services by 2030.

Methanol is used as a fuel additive and in the manufacture of products such as textiles and pharmaceuticals.

Coogee are currently working with the NT Government’s Gas Task Force as they undertake these studies and the Power and Water Corporation, and gas owners, on options to supply up to 40 TJ’s of gas  per day.

Coogee owns Australia’s only methanol plant, which operated for 22 years before closing in March 2016 due to high east coast gas prices.

Middle Arm is already home to the ConocoPhillips Darwin LNG Plant and the INPEX Ichthys Onshore LNG Processing Facility.

Quotes from Chief Minister Michael Gunner:

“The Territory Government’s focus is on creating jobs for Territorians - this project will support over 1000 jobs during construction, and a further 350 direct and indirect jobs during operations, meaning it will create the kind of long term jobs the Territory needs.

"There is enormous opportunity in the Territory to build a manufacturing hub, which will create many hundreds of permanent local jobs. I have long said the Northern Territory can be a world class hub for gas production and manufacturing – it is a value-add industry right here in the NT.

"I’ve met with Coogee and have been encouraging them to invest right here in the Top End.

"They believe in the Territory’s economy and are keen to invest in Territory jobs."

Quotes from Coogee Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Dr Grant Lukey:

“The proposed Methanol Plant will be strategically located in Darwin to take advantage of its abundant gas supply and its proximity to the south east Asia market. The proposed plant will use innovative, low-emission technology.”

 

Media Contact: Cameron Angus 0404 021 192

DUBLIN-based explorer and producer Falcon Oil & Gas said it is in a solid financial position for its upcoming drilling and fraccing program with Origin Energy in the Beetaloo Basin, onshore Northern Territory.

Falcon released its interim six month financials overnight, noting it had US$14.6 million cash in the bank, double what it had at the end of 2018.

The company posted a net loss of US$900,000 for the six months to June 30, compared to a net loss of $1.1 million for the same time last year.

It also announced it would cease trading on Euronext Dublin on September 25.

It will however remain on the AIM exchange in London and Canada's TXS venture exchange.

Over the last six months Falcon which holds a 30% stake ion EP76, EP98 and EP117, alongside Origin Energy (70%) announced contingent resource estimates for the Middle Velkerri B Shale Pool with an estimated 2C gas resource estimate of 6.6 trillion cubic feet of gas.

In January the joint venture signed a rig contract with Ensign Australia for Rig 963 for stage 2 of the Beetaloo drilling program with an option to extend the contract to 2020.

Preparatory work is ongoing in the Beetaloo and Falcon notes that two horizontal appraisal wells will be drilled this calendar year.

The environmental management plan for both drilling, fraccing and testing the wells was approved by the Northern Territory government last week.

The first well to be drilled will be the Kyalla 117-N2 well, targeting the Kyalla shale liquids rich gas fairway.

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here

Airnorth has successfully retained the contract to provide chartered air services to Jadestone Energy between Darwin, Northern Territory and Truscott- Mangalalu Airport, Western Australia.

The contract extension highlights Jadestone’s confidence in Airnorth and its capability to service large oil and gas contracts.

Airnorth CEO Daniel Bowden was delighted to retain the extension, expressing that “The team at Airnorth are proud of the service we have delivered to PTTEP over the past 4 years, and that this has been recognised by Jadestone the new operators of the Montara Project. We look forward to supporting Jadestone and their staff with twice weekly flights on Tuesday and Thursday with our Embraer E120 fleet.”

Airnorth will continue to operate two weekly air services to Truscott-Mungalalu Airport located 520kms westsouthwest of Darwin. The route will be serviced with Airnorth’s Embraer 120 fleet, a 30-seat aircraft proven to be successful due to its size and speed, allowing for faster and more direct air services from its home base in Darwin.

For more information, please contact:

Airnorth Media:

Teyghan Stadelbauer

M: +61 (0) 400 230 684 E:

Teyghan.stadelbauer@airnorth.com.au

JADESTONE Energy has posted record cash from operations, as revenue soared four-fold to US$171.7 million (A$254.2 million) in the first six months of the calendar year, compared to just $35 million in the first half of 2018.

Profit after tax for the six-month period to June 30 was $30.9 million, a major achievement considering the company made a loss of $21.5 million in the first half of 2018. 

The Singapore-headquartered mid-cap's strong results were driven by its acquisition of the Montara oilfield off Western Australia, which once online more than tripled the company's production over the last six months.  

Overall production from Montara and the nearby Stag fields reached 13,315 barrels of oil per day in the second quarter, despite a shutdown due to cyclone Veronica in April.   

With increased production, sales also lifted to a total of 2.3 million barrels over the six months, at an average realised price of $71.7/bbl.  

"We are building a material business that is strongly cash flow generative, while providing growth through organic investment, both within our existing producing assets in Australia, as well as the new gas developments in Vietnam," CEO Paul Blakeley said.  

"Our balance sheet is in excellent shape, with net debt effectively eliminated by mid-year, just nine months since we closed the Montara acquisition with a US$120 million RBL financing arrangement." 

Jadestone was formally awarded operatorship for the Montara field in early this month, but had effectively operated the field since acquiring it from PTTEP last year.  

It conducted a riserless light well intervention program in June to restore gas lift to the Skua-11 and Swift-2 wells as well as perforated additional sands in the Swallow-1 well.  

The work delivered rapid payback and marked the company's first major investment in the field this year.  

Jadestone planned to drill an additional infill well, H6, at Montara in the latter half of this calendar year; however, its guidance noted a tightening rig market would likely push the drilling of the well into next year. 

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here

GLOBAL oilfield service provider and tech developer TechnipFMC will separate into two independent, publicly-traded companies following a unanimous decision by the board of directors.

It has been two years since the formation of TechnipFMC following an initial merger of Technip and FMC Technologies, however on Monday the company said it would spin off its engineering and construction operations into a separate company called SpinCo.

SpinCo will focus on LNG, downstream and petrochemicals, building on the legacy Technip position in those areas.

The second company, RemainCo, will be a technology and services provider focused on energy development.

According to analysis from Wood Mackenzie, the demerger is a "bold move" that is less about ‘correcting' something but a "proactive positioning move for a longer-term market shift."

"The upstream company, termed RemainCo for now, will be in essence, the legacy FMC Technologies' equipment and services business, plus Technip's subsea, umbilical, riser and flowline manufacturing business," WoodMac principle analyst Mhairidh Evans said.

"The demerger provides focus and flexibility for each of its divisions, which were already fairly distinct. We'd expect the subsea division to build on its market leadership - perhaps by considering other acquisitions or strategic directions that the wider TechnipFMC couldn't support."

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here

JOINT VENTURE partners Falcon Oil & Gas (30%) and operator Origin Energy (70%) have received approval to drill the planned Kyalla 117 N2 horizontal appraisal well.

Falcon said yesterday afternoon that its plans to drill, frac, and test the well had been approved by the Northern Territory Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

According to Falcon well pad construction is now underway and civil works is nearing completion. Drilling is expected to begin as soon as next month.

Kyalla 117 will be drilled to a vertical depth of 1,875 metres, before drilling horizontally targeting the Kyalla shale liquids rich gas fairway for a further 3,000m.

It will then be fracced over 20 stages.

 "Today's announcement relating to the approval of the Kyalla 117 N2 well EMP targeting the Kyalla shale liquids rich gas fairway is an exciting development for Falcon shareholders. We look forward to the commencement of drilling operations," Falcon CEO Philip O'Quigley said.

The approval from the Northern Territory government is the final hurdle the joint venture needed to jump over before the drilling campaign could get underway.

Kyalla 117 N2 will be the second horizontal well following Amungee NW1-H in 2016 which was completed just before the moratorium was introduced.

Kyalla 117 N2 is the first of two wells under stage 2 of Origin's farm-in with Falcon. Origin plans to drill and frac a second well before the wet season returns in November.

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here

ENVIRONMENTAL activists in Western Australia and the Northern Territory are stepping up their campaign against fraccing following state and Territory government decisions to relax moratoria on operations.

Following yesterday's announcement that the Territory government had granted Origin Energy and venture partner Falcon Oil & Gas permission to finally drill and frac the Kyalla 117 N2 appraisal well, Lock the Gate hit out at Origin calling them a "dodgy gas company" which showed ‘total disregard" for the health and safety of Territorians.

The JV was in fact granted permission August 13 but the news onl;y made public yesterday. 

"Many of the data sheets for the chemicals Origin plans to use are data deficient, stating there is ‘no data available'," Lock the Gate spokesperson Graeme Sawyer said.

"There are also a number of threatened and endangered bird species, such as the Gouldian Finch, that could inadvertently drink from open air toxic sludge ponds - the so called mitigation measures put forward are not enough."  

"The Pepper Inquiry recommended that these pits be covered, yet the government has caved to industry lobbying and allowed Origin to leave them open anyway."

In Perth, veteran Frack Free campaigner Jane Hammond hit the streets of the CBD with a small group of activists to gather signatures on a petition that called on the WA McGowan government to reinstate a complete moratorium on fraccing.

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here

Origin Energy Environment Management Plan approved for onshore gas drilling, stimulation and well testing in the Beetaloo Sub-basin

Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, Eva Lawler, has approved Origin Energy’s Environment Management Plan (EMP) for onshore gas drilling, hydraulic fracture stimulation and well testing for Exploration Permit 117 (EP117) N2 in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.

The approved EMP was prepared with reference to the NT Petroleum (Environment) Regulations 2016 and the Code of Practice: Onshore Petroleum Activities in the Northern Territory.

This is the first EMP to be approved for hydraulic fracturing activities since all 31 pre-exploration recommendations within the Hydraulic Fracturing Inquiry report were completed in July 2019.

The scope of the EMP covers the regulated activities required to enable Origin to drill, hydraulic fracture stimulate, test, maintain and decommission a horizontal petroleum exploration well at one location (N2-1) within the 2019-2024 period.

A total of 6,311 public submissions, including 275 from Territorians, were received and considered by the Minister in making her decision. The Minister also obtained advice from the independent Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority to inform her decision.

The approved EMP and the Minister’s statement of reasons can now be viewed at www.denr.nt.gov.au/onshore-gas

To read the Implementation Plan or access additional information, please visit hydraulicfracturing.nt.gov.au
To read the Inquiry report and recommendations, please visit frackinginquiry.nt.gov.au
Or you can contact the Hydraulic Fracturing Inquiry Implementation Taskforce at hydraulic.fracturing@nt.gov.au