INPEX announced today it is funding six students at Charles Darwin University (CDU) to support their studies in courses relating to the oil and gas industry.

Through a five-year partnership, the students will each receive $5000 a year, for three years of their course. The scholarships will directly support

Territory students and enable them to pursue their studies at CDU and go on to build their careers in the Northern Territory.

The Territory’s onshore gas reserves alone contain an estimated 200 trillion cubic feet of reserves and contain enough gas to power Australia for 200 years.

Recent Deloitte Access Economics research found developing these resources could create up to 6300 new long-term jobs.

CDU Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Sue Carthew said CDU was ideally positioned to help Territorians to equip themselves with the skills to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

“The oil and gas industry is playing an increasingly important role in the economic development of the Territory and CDU. With the generous support of INPEX, these scholarships will ensure Territorians can access these opportunities and the industry has a strong supply of suitably skilled new employees,” Professor Carthew said.

INPEX Corporation Representative Director, President and CEO Takayuki Ueda said INPEX was committed to supporting education and employment opportunities for young people.

“We are excited to partner with Charles Darwin University for the INPEX scholarships that will directly benefit students in the Northern Territory,” said Mr Ueda.

“The scholarships will help students to complete their studies and go on to build careers in the Northern Territory.”

The $90,000 commitment to scholarships builds on the $3 million investment made by INPEXoperated Ichthys LNG to support the establishment of the North Australian Centre for Oil and Gas.