Industry News

On 31 July 2024, the Northern Territory Government and Vopak signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), to develop a common-user infrastructure including a CO2 import terminal in the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct - Northern Territory, Australia.

The MoU frames how the government and Vopak will cooperate to progress the development of common user CO2 import, storage and handling infrastructure in Darwin.

“The Lawler Labor Government is committed to developing the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, strategic industrial land to accommodate advanced manufacturing and green energy production. CCUS capability is a core component of the circular economy design of this Precinct. I am excited to be partnering with Vopak who have been contributing to the energy security and economic development of the Northern Territory with their operations in East Arm for almost 20 years. This project contributes to the NT’s goal of a $40 billion economy by 2030 and our transition to net zero by 2050. This agreement leverages Vopak’s global expertise in developing infrastructure solutions to accelerate the energy transition worldwide,” said Eva Lawler, Chief Minister of The Northern Territory.

“For nearly 20 years, Vopak has been contributing to the energy security and economic development in East Arm near Darwin city. This project not only signifies our ongoing commitment to growth but also contributes to playing a role in decarbonisation ambitions for both the Northern Territory and Australia. Together with the Northern Territory Government, we look forward to playing a key role in Australia's transition to net zero. This development of CO2 infrastructure is fully in line with Vopak's global strategy to develop infrastructure solutions to accelerate the energy transition,” said Paul Kanters, Managing Director, Vopak Terminals Australia.

Common user CO2 facility

The CO2 import, storage and handling infrastructure will be designed to manage the import, storage and distribution of carbon dioxide in an efficient and accessible way. The facility will be shared infrastructure that can be used by various companies to help manage CO2 emissions. The imported CO2 can come from different sources such as industrial plants that capture CO2 to prevent it from being released to the atmosphere. Also CO2 from neighbouring countries can be handled. Once the CO2 is imported, it needs to be stored safely in large tanks before it will be transferred to a permanent destination, for example in underground facilities CCS, or followed by recycling the CO2 for utilization (CCUS).

About Royal Vopak

Royal Vopak helps the world flow forward. At ports around the world, we provide storage and infrastructure solutions for vital products that enrich everyday life. These products include liquids and gases that provide energy for homes and businesses, chemicals for manufacturing products, and edible oils for cooking. For all of these, our worldwide network of terminals supports the global flow of supply and demand. For more than 400 years, Vopak has been at the forefront of fundamental transformations. With a focus on safety, reliability, and efficiency, we create new connections and opportunities that drive progress. Now more than ever, our talented people are applying this mindset to support the energy transition. Together with our partners and customers, we are accelerating the development of infrastructure solutions for hydrogen, ammonia, CO₂, long-duration energy storage, and low-carbon fuels & feedstocks – paving the way to a more sustainable future. Vopak is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam and is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. For more information, please visit www.vopak.com

Source: Vopak Website

The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) has welcomed two new members, Dr Gillian Sparkes AM from Victoria and Ms Tracey Wilson from Queensland.

Initially an industrial chemist in the steel industry, Dr Sparkes has spent decades working in the manufacturing, industrial services, and waste management industries.

She has held the statutory role of Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability in Victoria since 2014, and is an experienced non-executive director working across industry, government and the not-for-profit sector.

Based in Queensland, Tracey Wilson is an experienced board member and advisor to government, business, and non-government organisations, providing research and project management services across Australia and the Asia Pacific on sustainable regional economic development.

Ms Wilson previously resided in Nhulunbuy and has extensive experience working with Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory and North Queensland.

Chaired by Dr Paul Vogel AM, the current NT EPA Board members are Janice van Reyk, Joe Woodward, Samantha Nunan, Dr Rod Lukatelich, Jordy Bowman and NT Planning Commission Chair Dr David Ritchie as an ex officio member.

The NT EPA will also be farewelling Ms Janice van Reyk who is the longest serving member, having been on the NT EPA since its establishment in 2013.

The NT EPA Board is an independent authority established under the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority Act 2012.

Quotes from Dr Paul Vogel AM:

“The experience and expertise of incoming board members Gillian Sparkes and Tracey Wilson will contribute to ensuring that the values and expectations of Territorians in regional and remote parts of the Territory are reflected in the deliberations and decisions of the NT EPA.

“As an independent authority, the work of the NT EPA is critical to ensure the Northern Territory has a robust and transparent environmental assessment and regulation framework and is able to provide sound, evidence-based advice to Government.

“I look forward to working with Dr Sparkes and Ms Wilson as the NT EPA continues to focus its efforts on improving environmental outcomes across the Northern Territory.

“And heartfelt thanks to Janice van Reyk who has made such an important and long-lasting contribution to ecologically sustainable development in the NT.”

Source: Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority

New Zealand Oil & Gas Limited has officially changed its name to Echelon Resources Limited, trading as Echelon, effective 31 July 2024. Our new ASX ticker code is ECH.

New identity, same commitment
As we embrace our new name and visual identity as Echelon, we honour the legacy and achievements of New Zealand Oil & Gas. Echelon is a geological term describing the repeated nature of geological features like mountain ranges, fault lines, beds of rocks, rivers and lines of data, and an abstract reflection of our stakeholders’ priorities. It draws inspiration from the industry we operate in and its relevance to the changing mindsets of energy consumers.

Our role in the transition.
The name Echelon signifies our progress and pivotal role in the energy transition. It reflects our commitment to providing consistent and reliable energy solutions in a world facing significant energy challenges.

Echelon's commitment to you
We are committed to upholding the highest ethical and value standards and ensuring regular communication and engagement with you. Our new emails will also change to reflect the new domain, echelonresources.com and emails sent to our old nzog.com addresses will be automatically forwarded to the new domain.

We invite you to visit our new website and follow our updated platforms Echelon Website: www.echelonresources.com  
Echelon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/327887
Echelon ASX announcements: https://www.echelonresources.com/news

Source: Echelon Website

The Lawler Labor Government is continuing to take a common sense approach to securing the Territory’s energy future.

Today, the Lawler Labor Government has released the updated Northern Territory Gas Plan – A pathway to 2030 that looks at capitalising on what is expected to be one of the most transformational, five-year periods in NT history.

The Plan focuses on key areas – Economic Growth (work), Energy Security (keeping the lights on) and Environmental Sustainability (emissions reduction). 

Reliable, affordable and cleaner energy is the key focus; and can be done as the Lawler Government keeps public assets in public control. 

Since April 2024, the Lawler Government has signed energy security arrangements with three gas producing companies who are also providing working opportunities in the Territory.  

This updated gas plan outlines the role of the NT Government, with five enablers and objectives. It also includes a clear action plan to achieve these objectives.

1. Partnerships - Forging the relationships required to streamline development
2. Local Workforce and Supply Chains – Building a workforce for the future
3. Planning and Infrastructure – coordinating and planning the delivery of hard and soft infrastructure required for significant industry development
4. Regulation – Maintaining a contemporary regulatory environment that balances effectiveness with efficiency
5. Investment – Facilitating public and private investment to build capacity and capability

Success of the new gas plan will be measured by the growth of a diverse industrial base that increases energy production, decreases emissions and generates sustained local economic growth.

Further planning for industry infrastructure is also underway, with $367 million committed to gas industry road upgrades for the Beetaloo Basin and the Carpentaria Highway. 

To view the plan visit - https://territorygas.nt.gov.au

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

The Territory Government and Mereenie and Palm Valley joint ventures have signed a six year gas supply deal commencing from 2025.

The agreements will provide energy security to the Territory until the end of 2030.

The gas will be supplied by Central Petroleum, New Zealand Oil & Gas, Horizon Australia Energy and Cue Energy from the Mereenie and Palm Valley Fields, both located in the Northern Territory, providing up to 29 Terajoules of gas per day.

The Mereenie and Palm Valley Fields are the largest onshore gas production fields in the Territory and have been secure energy sources for over 40 years.

Within the Territory the Mereenie and Palm Valley joint ventures provide over 40 working opportunities for Territorians in Central Australia.

ASX announcements from JV partners: Central Petroleum New Zealand Oil & Gas, Horizon Australia Energy & Cue Energy.

The Lawler Labor Government is continuing to support the industries that get the Territory working and securing our energy supply, by signing up to buy more gas from the Beetaloo Basin.

The gas sales agreement between the Territory Government and Empire Energy, will provide competitively priced gas for the Territory’s electricity generation for years to come.

Empire Energy, which is expecting first gas from its Carpentaria Pilot Project, in the Beetaloo Basin, will supply gas to the Northern Territory from mid next year until 2035, with an opportunity to extend to 2040.

Empire Energy is working towards Final Investment Decision for the project by the end of this year.

The Carpentaria Pilot Project is targeting 25 Terajoules of gas per day, initially scaling the production in line with long term targets. Empire Energy will continue to progress its environmental approvals for the project.

The Lawler Labor Government is focused on making sure the Territory has environmentally sustainable, stable and affordable power for Territorians and local businesses.

Developing the Beetaloo Basin and boosting our on-shore gas industry will create thousands of work opportunities for Territorians and boost the economy by $17 billion.

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

The Albanese Government is accelerating the delivery of reliable renewable energy in the Northern Territory after signing a landmark $250 million deal with the Lawler Government as part of the Rewiring the Nation Program.

Through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), the investment will create hundreds of new jobs and see the power grid upgraded and expanded across the Territory, supporting major transmission projects and bolstering grid strength.

The Rewiring the Nation investment will also accelerate the rollout of transmission projects across the Territory with the first wave of these to be completed before 2030.

We have also signed an agreement to deploy community-scale solar, rooftop solar and clean energy technologies. This will provide up to $500 in energy cost savings per year for consumers locked out of installing their own rooftop solar, like hardship customers, renters and apartment dwellers.

Working together the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments are securing crucial power bill price relief for Territorians, ensure the Territory’s growing share of renewable energy is more reliable and secure and reducing emissions.

Projects financed under this agreement will contribute to the energy mix across the Territory by increasing amounts of renewable generation such as solar and wind and reducing reliance on power generation from fossil fuels.

In addition to priority projects supporting the Darwin-Katherine Interconnected System (DKIS), there is potential for projects in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek to also receive support as part of the decarbonisation of the NT’s energy system.

The Commonwealth has now negotiated five agreements under the $20 billion Rewiring the Nation program, with previous deals in New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

Australia’s electricity system is changing rapidly, but progress on critical transmission projects stalled under the former federal Government. The Albanese Labor Government is getting on with the job and working closely with states to deliver these vital projects on time and at lowest cost through Rewiring the Nation.

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

The Lawler Labor Government is driving economic development through our thriving critical minerals industry.

Two Memorandum of Understanding’s (MoU) have been signed with Japanese energy giant, Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOCMEC).

The MoU’s signed with JOCMEC strengthen economic and strategic trade ties between the Lawler Labor Government and Japan, ties which underscored $7.7 billion worth of goods exported from the NT to Japan in 2022/23 alone.

The first MoU, signed by the Chief Minister and Mr. Hiroyuki MORI, Executive Vice President of JOGMEC, establishes a framework for cooperation in various energy sectors including natural gas, carbon capture and storage and hydrogen production.

The second MoU signed by Minister Mark Monaghan and Mr. Hiroshi KUBOTA, Executive Vice President of JOGMEC, focuses on greater collaboration with critical mineral supply chains.

This collaboration will be facilitated through the exploration, extraction, processing and supply of critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt, lithium, graphite and rare earth elements.

These signing’s highlight the strategic importance of the Northern Territory will play in the transition to renewables and critical minerals supply chains both domestically and internationally, with this sector currently worth $4.38 billion and employs over 5300 Territorians.

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

Wood, a global leader in consulting and engineering,has been selected as the lead specialist consultant for an independent study for the Sunrise Joint Venture’s (SJV) Greater Sunrise Development.

Wood will deliver a comprehensive concept study for the Greater Sunrise Development, considering engineering, technology, financing, commercial structures, fiscal, environmental, health & safety and socioeconomic drivers including local content. The study, on target for completion by no later than Q4 2024, will support the SJV to advance the development to the next stage.

Azad Hessamodini, President of Consulting at Wood, said: “This is an important concept study for the Greater Sunrise Development. We are delighted to support and deliver the work at pace to ensure the SJV has the impartial insights to advance this regionally significant project.”

SJV comprises TIMOR GAP (56.56%), Woodside Energy (33.44% and Operator) and Osaka Gas (10.00%). The development project is located between Timor-Leste and Australia’s Northern Territory and comprises the Sunrise and Troubadour gas and condensate fields.

Wood has completed over 100 LNG feasibility studies globally, providing technical consulting and advisory services at the earliest stages to support clients in making informed and independent decisions.

Source: Wood

The Lawler Labor Government is continuing to take a common sense approach to growing the Territory’s economy and ensuring Territory businesses have the skilled workers needed to expand.

Under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program the Northern Territory’s allocation has doubled from the previous year – up to 1,600 overseas skilled workers.

Workers from a range of industries including health, science, finance, agriculture, construction, telecommunications, IT and hospitality can apply to MigrationNT for NT Government nominations under the GSM program, which offers permanent as well as provisional 5-year visas with a pathway to permanent residency in the NT.

Today’s news is additional to the Federal Government’s announcement in December 2023 that gave  employer sponsored visa applications from regional areas the highest priority in processing with the entirety of the Northern Territory deemed regional for migration purposes.

Skilled migrants are projected to contribute approximately $1.4 billion to the Territory economy in the period from 2021 to 2027. Attracting and retaining workers in the Northern Territory is essential to growing the NT economy to $40 billion by 2030.

Territory employers and jobseekers can connect through the Territory Government’s online platform WorkerConnect - which already has a talent pool of over 10,000 job seekers wanting to work in the NT. For more information go to www.jobs.theterritory.com.au or to learn more about the GSM Program go to theterritory.com.au/migrate/migrate-to-work

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom