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