Industry News

The new Territory Environment Podcast is now live!

We are very excited to announce that the new Territory Environment podcast is now live.

During our monthly segments we discuss everything about what it takes to lead and support the conservation, management and sustainable use of the Territory environment. Topics will include managing water, mapping and managing soil and vegetation, regulating industry that operates within the environment, protecting biodiversity and our work to manage weeds and feral animals to allow native species to survive and thrive.

Maybe it’s the science and work behind bushfires and what fuels Territory fires in your region or what it takes to manage the conservation and visitation across the Territory parks and reserves estates that interests you.

Whatever it is, you’re sure to find an episode that takes your interest.

Below is a sample of the first 3 episodes available for listening.

The first episode covers Crocodile conservation and Management.

Your host Phillipa Hunter is joined by Dr. Tim Clancy the Director of Information and Advice with the Flora and Fauna division, and Kristen Hay the Director Wildlife Operations with NT Parks and Wildlife.

They discuss these amazing prehistoric creatures, and tell us what to expect at the 27th Working Meeting of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Crocodile Specialist Group. They also touch on the feedback on the consultation of the Saltwater Crocodile Management Plan due for final release at the conference.

The second episode takes a deep dive into the Rangelands division for the Territory Environment.

Monica Richly hosts the show with guests Alana Mackay, Director Pastoral Branch, Rebecca de Vries, Director Development Coordination and Christine Plewinski, Land Development Facilitator.

They take us behind the scenes of the 40th Anniversary Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association conference, and discuss what it is the Rangelands division do to support the pastoral industry and land holders in the use and management of land and vegetation.

The third episode is called Let’s talk annual Announced Allocations (AA’s) for water licence holders in the Top End.

Your host Phillipa is joined by Dale, Chief water modeller, Peter, Senior Hydrologist and Andrew Johnson PSM, the Controller of Water Resources.

They discuss how water resources undertake water modelling, and the climate conditions to present the expected water licence entitlements - to preserve environmental flow thresholds within river systems. They also discuss the upcoming announced allocations for the Top End in line with the coming new water year on 1 May.

Got a question or idea?

We want to hear from you! If you have any questions about any of the shows, or would like to suggest a topic that you want to know more about, then please reach out.

You might want to know about the differences between the aquifers in a Top End or Arid Region, what we do to ensure we are a modern environmental regulator and the innovation in this space.

No matter what the topic, if it’s got to do with the Territory Environment and managing and protecting the Territory’s natural resources and environment, then drop us a line at communications.depws@nt.gov.au and we will do our best to answer your questions or add it to our show line up.

Are you ready to jump straight in?

You can subscribe today through Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Source: Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security

The Territory Labor Government is continuing to invest in our power grid with the upgrade of a key substation which will meet future electricity supply demands and support business.

Work to upgrade the Trevor Horman Substation at Berrimah is underway, which provides electricity to the Berrimah and Wishart industrial areas.

The functional and concept designs for the $55.3 million project have been completed and work has commenced on detailed design phase.

The design and construction contract for the project has been awarded to Darwin based company ESPEC.

Civil works are expected to begin on the site in August and construction will progress over the next two years.

The work includes installation of new 66kV AIS switchyard, 66kV power transformers, construction of new control building, new 11kV switchboard, new 11kV reactor banks and associated secondary systems.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Essential Services Kate Worden:

“The upgrade of the Trevor Horman Substation will ensure the growing industrial areas of Berrimah and Wishart will have reliable power supply into the future.

“The Territory Labor Government can make this investment into our power grid because we own our assets like Power and Water and Territory Generation.

“Make no mistake, the CLP will sell Power and Water and Territory Generation just like they did with the Port of Darwin and TIO.”

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

The sustainable management of our water resources will help grow the Territory economy.

The Territory Labor Government is protecting iconic springs and supporting the agriculture sector with the Mataranka Water Allocation Plan 2024-34.

The plan is now open for public consultation and includes proposed management arrangements that will ensure groundwater, iconic springs and flows in the Roper River continue to be managed sustainably and effectively.

Stakeholders who have contributed to the draft plan include the Mataranka Water Advisory Committee, comprising industry and landholder representatives, including Traditional Owners who have valuable knowledge of, and an unbreakable connection to the resource.

The draft plan area comprises three management zones – North Mataranka, South Mataranka and Larrimah. It applies to the groundwater resources of the Tindall Limestone Aquifer, within an area of approximately 9282sqkm extending about 190km from north to south, and up to 70km east to west.

Extraction limits will protect the groundwater resource and maintain spring flows of the Roper River, in line with natural climatic conditions during dry years while providing long-term water security for agriculture, horticulture and mining enterprises in the region.

In practical terms, this maintains more than 90 per cent of flows to the Roper River, during the dry season.

In the Larrimah zone, water is stored deeper underground and therefore development will have less impact, so more water is being made available.

To view the draft plan and have your say go to haveyoursay.nt.gov.au before consultation closes on 3 June 2024.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Kate Worden:

“The Territory Labor Government is protecting the Territory’s water resources. Water is one of the Territory’s greatest assets and is playing a critical part in the Territory building a $40 billion economy by 2030.

“This plan specifically protects and manages groundwater that provides the base flows to the Roper River and its system of springs and creeks during the dry season. These beautiful unspoilt places are incredibly important to Territorians.

“The Mataranka Water Allocation Plan therefore provides the right balance between supporting industry and protecting waterways, by giving certainty around availability of water that does not compromise environmental and cultural values".

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

Highlights

• The Shenandoah South 1H (SS-1H) well in EP 117 achieved an average 60-day initial production (IP60) flow rate of 3.03 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) over the 1,644-foot, 10 stage stimulated length within the Mid Velkerri B Shale, normalized to 6.0 MMcf/d over 3,281-feet (1,000 metres).

• The SS-1H flow test indicates that future development wells with lateral lengths of 10,000 feet may be capable of delivering average rates of 18.4 MMcf/d over the first 60 days of production.

• Results continue to demonstrate that the 1 million acres below 8,850 feet (true vertical depth) in the Beetaloo West region is one of the most favorable places to anchor the initial development.

• The SS-1H well is planned to be flow tested until IP90, which is planned to be announced in late April 2024.

• Tamboran continues to undertake Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies on the proposed Shenandoah South Pilot Project. The Company expects to take Final Investment Decision (FID) in mid-2024, subject to funding and key stakeholder approvals.

To view the full ASX announcement, click here.

Source: Tamboran Resources

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSXV: FO, AIM: FOG) announces that it has elected to reduce its working interest in the proposed Shenandoah South Pilot Project (“Pilot) from 22.5% to 5%. This optimises Falcon’s interest in the Beetaloo, since Falcon will only have to pay for 5% of the costs of the two wells to be drilled in 2024 as part of the Pilot but will still retain a 10% working interest in the enlarged area of circa 72,000 acres around the Pilot and a 22.5% working interest in the remaining 4.52 million acres.

Key Highlights

• The election by Falcon to reduce its working interest to 5% will significantly reduce Falcon’s cost to participate in the Pilot.

• Falcon also retains the benefit of a further A$16.67m (US$11m) of gross carry that will be used to offset against the costs of the Pilot in 2024, thereby further reducing Falcon’s cost to participate.

• Falcon participated in the SS1-H well in 2023 at its 22.5% working interest which created a Drill Spacing Unit (“DSU”) of 20,480 acres.

• The two wells in the 2024 drilling program will create two new DSU’s totalling 51,200 acres in which Falcon will participate and retain a working interest at 5%.

• Falcon’s combined weighted average ownership and future participation entitlement of this enlarged area of 72,000 acres post the Pilot will be 10%.

• Falcon retains its full 22.5% participation interest in the remaining 4.52 million acres in the Beetaloo, net 1 million acres to Falcon.

Source: Falcon Oil & Gas

Highlights

• Tamboran has increased its working interest in the proposed Shenandoah South Pilot Project to a minimum of 47.5% following a decision by Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited (Falcon) to limit its participation to 5% in the Beetaloo Joint Ventures’ second Shenandoah South well pad (SS2) and the two wells in the 2024 drilling program.

• The two wells in the 2024 drilling program will create two Drilling Spacing Units (DSUs) totaling 51,200 gross acres around the new SS2 well pad, where Tamboran and Daly Waters Energy, LP (DWE) as 50/50% owners of Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited have agreed to pick up the non-consent, increasing interest to 95%.

• Tamboran and DWE will carry Falcon for up to A$3.75 million gross (A$1.875 million net) for the first well post 30 June 2024.

• The 51,200 gross acre area has the potential to accommodate 23 well pads (138 wells based on six wells per pad, 3,000-metre lateral sections and 500 metre well spacings) and it is expected to support the wells required to deliver gas to the proposed Shenandoah South Pilot Project.

To view the full ASX announcement, click here.

Assessment of Network Outage Event on 30 November 2023 - Power and Water Corporation

The Commission has published an assessment under clause 5.4.4 of the Electricity Industry Performance Code for the purpose of verifying that a network outage event in the Alice Springs region on 30 November 2023 was outside of Power and Water Corporation’s control, and therefore able to be excluded from its network performance reporting and guaranteed service level payments.

On 30 November 2023, a thunderstorm resulted in prolonged network outages for customers connected to the Alice Springs network. Power and Water Corporation notified the Commission and submitted a report in accordance with the requirements of the Electricity Industry Performance Code. The report proposed to exclude the events commencing on 30 November 2023 from adjusted category performance reporting and guaranteed service level payments.

The Commission has verified the network outage event was due to a natural event and is a statistical outlier, and was therefore outside the control of Power and Water Corporation. As such, the Commission considers the event an excluded event for the purpose of the Electricity Industry Performance Code.

Source: Utilities Commission of the Northern Territory

Central Petroleum’s Managing Director and CEO, Leon Devaney and CFO Damian Galvin have provided an update, including Central's half year results in an online presentation today.
 
To watch the presentation and Q&A session, click here.

The presentation is available here.

Source: Central Petroleum

ABC’s Country Hour has interviewed Central Petroleum’s Managing Director and CEO, Leon Devaney regarding the dynamic state of the Northern Territory’s gas supply. This follows the recent suspension of the Northern Gas Pipeline which connects the Northern Territory to eastern gas markets.
 
To hear the full interview, click here

You can read the ABC online news article here.

Source: Central Petroleum

The Territory Labor Government is backing local businesses and creating jobs with the Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF).

The AMEF has spurred manufacturing activity and investment that is expected to create over 160 new jobs and generate over $84 million for the Territory’s economy in its first five years.

Water quality testing efficiency in remote areas of the Northern Territory will improve as part of a new, innovative project being led by a Darwin business.

Think Water, based in Coolalinga, is collaborating with environmental technology business, Eco Detection, and Darwin-based tank manufacturer, Terracorp Industries, to commercialise a water testing system which will address water testing issues, such as bacteria and heavy metals that collectively are present in more than 400 communities across Australia.

The collaboration will bring together Eco Detection’s award-winning Ion-Q+ monitor, a filtration system from Think Water, and a water storage tank manufactured by Terracorp Industries.

Three integrated prototype systems will then undergo six-month trials at three different remote locations to determine the effectiveness and suitability for remote regions.

The innovative project has been awarded $485,000 in co-investment through the Northern Territory’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund, administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC).

After successful commercialisation, 15 per cent (by value) of Melbourne-based Eco Detection’s Ion-Q+ electronic systems will be produced in the Territory, scaling up to 70 per cent assembly of the electronics in the NT in four years.

Think Water estimates the generation of revenue of $30 million and the creation of 45 jobs within five years of project completion.

It’s anticipated that testing in the demanding climates of the Northern Territory will provide certainty for not only other domestic customers, but international prospects as well.

For more information on the Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund please visit: https://www.amgc.org.au/projects/.

Quotes attributable to Chief Minister, Eva Lawler:

“The Territory Labor Government is attracting new innovative projects which get the Territory working and develop our communities – this is exactly what Think Water accomplishes.

Through this partnership, the Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF) was established, in a bid to improve the Northern Territory’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and capacities.

Nine businesses have now been awarded co-investment across Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs throughout a range of industries, including heavy machinery equipment, construction and carpentry.

Quotes attributable to Think Water Darwin Managing Director, Adam Stockwell:

“Clean drinking water is a fundamental requirement of life. What we aim to do with this project is develop a product suite that provides better visibility for residents and governments about the quality of the water they are being provided.

“In partnership with Eco Detect and Terracorp, we aim to take the guess work out of water quality to improve the lives of thousands of Australians and potentially more abroad via an always on monitoring solution.”

Quotes attributable to Eco Detection CEO, Jefferson Harcourt:

“We are excited to be making a real impact with our technology and help remote communities have access to safe water that is tested continuously for harmful nitrates and other pollutants.

“We will test every last drop and make this data available to the local community and the Department of Health. It’s an enormous issue – there are over 400 remote communities across the nation that don’t have access to safe drinking water right now.”

Quotes attributable to AMGC Northern Territory Director Charmaine Phillips:

“Intermittent water sampling is not perfect, but it becomes even less so if what’s being sampled is in a remote community, which is a considerable drive from the lab.

“This exciting project will automate testing, allow service providers to proactively monitor water quality, intervene earlier, and boost the creation of high-skilled manufacturing jobs in the NT. That’s wins all-around.”

Source: Northern Territory Government newsoom