Industry News

Drilling has begun on a second well in the Barossa gas field, 290km north-west of Darwin.

In its annual results released last week, South Australian-based resources company Santos said the second well was matching outcomes from the first, with strong gas flows and low carbon emissions.

According to Santos, the Barossa gas project is now 67 per cent complete with first gas expected in the third quarter of 2025.

The pipeline that will deliver gas from the field to Darwin LNG is now 68 per cent complete and more than 50 per cent of the pipe has been laid.

The company said initial well flow rates from the second drill were “in line with expectations” and carbon dioxide content was at the low end of the expected range.

The company anticipates that at full production, Barossa is expected to add 1.8m tonnes per annum to Santos’ expanding LNG portfolio.

Completed just after Justice Natalie Charlesworth’s historic January 15 finding that cleared the way for work to resume laying the pipeline past the Tiwi Islands, the report is upbeat about the project’s future.

It forecasts completion and integration of the floating production and storage offloading facility in the first-half of 2025 and complete installation and testing of the gas export pipeline.

Subsea flow lines will be installed and tested this year and construction will begin on the Darwin pipeline duplication that will connect the gas export pipeline to Darwin LNG plant.

The report also said Santos transitioned to supplying gas from Bayu Undan to the NT domestic market on November 30, although failed to mention when supplies would run out.

The plant itself is being isolated and hydrocarbons removed and the Darwin life extension project is 32 per cent complete and on track for completion in the first half of 2025.

The life extension project will prepare the Wickham Point LNG plant to switch from Bayu Undan field sourced gas to Barossa gas.

Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher said projects like Barossa were the future of Australian energy generation.

“Our critical fuels are a necessary component in the energy security of Australia and Asia, and will be required to provide affordable and reliable energy while the world transitions to lower-carbon alternatives,” Mr Gallagher said.

Source: The NT News

To view the full article online, click here.

Clean, green power across the Territory is a priority of the Territory Labor Government.

The Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project is another step closer to completion with the battery energy storage system currently undergoing testing in Berrimah.

Wurrumiyanga is already operating on some solar. This project will provide an additional 1.1 megawatt solar array, together with a 1.75 MVA battery energy storage system.

The battery system will provide 3 megawatt hours of storage capacity.

Once testing of the battery system is complete at Berrimah, it will be transported to Wurrumiyanga where another round of testing will take place to ensure successful integration with the grid.

The project is estimated to reduce diesel fuel consumption by 519,000 litres in the first year of operation by introducing additional renewable energy technology, with works expected to be completed by May 2024.

The $6.1 million Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project is part of the Territory Labor Government’s commitment of $10.4 million to date for the Renewable Remote Power Program.

This project will contribute to the Territory Labor Government reaching our target of 50% renewable energy by 2030, which includes an average of 70% renewables in all communities supplied by the Indigenous Essential Services program.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Renewables and Energy Kate Worden

“The Northern Territory is in the process of transitioning to a future where renewable energy will play a greater role in our energy consumption.

“The Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project will give the community cleaner power and reduce the need to rely on diesel generators.

“We are working towards our target of net zero emissions by 2050 and projects like this will play a significant role in achieving this.

Quote attributable to the Member for Arafura, Manuel Brown:

“It is great to see our largest community on Bathurst Island driving down emissions. Testing underway means my community will get more renewable energy soon.

“A renewables future is now one step closer for the Wurrumiyanga community and we look forward to extending the lessons learnt from this project to other remote Territory communities.”

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

Related articles:

• Clean, affordable and green power for Wurrumiyanga
• NT Government: Wurrumiyanga Remote Power Project Underway

Link to Santos 2023 Full-year Results Video

https://www.santos.com/news/2023-full-year-results-video/

Source: Santos 

Tamboran Resources’ Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Joel Riddle, will host a webcast to update the market on the Company’s Shenandoah South 1H (SS-1H) 30-day initial production (IP30) well test and ongoing operations in the Beetaloo Basin.

Time: 9:30am AEDT (Sydney, Melbourne)

Date: Monday, 26 February 2024

Webcast link (pre-register):

https://webcast.openbriefing.com/tbn-mu-2024/

A recording of the webcast will be available on the Tamboran Resources website following completion of the presentation.

Source: Tamboran Resources

To view the full ASX announcement, click here.

The Territory Labor Government will host a series of summits with businesses in each of regional centres over the coming months with the first summit to kick off in Katherine this week. 

The Territory Business Summits will be an opportunity to hear directly from Territory businesses on their ideas as well as for the Territory Government to ensure we are providing the right support to ensure the NT has a resilient and enterprising small business sector.

Focussing on issues such a worker shortages and business the growth, the summits will help inform the Territory Governments Small Business Strategy.

Following the Territory Business Summit in Katherine this Wednesday, 21 February 2024 the next business summit will be held in Alice Springs on Wednesday 28 February 2024.

In Darwin there will be an Indigenous Business Breakfast Summit on 7 March followed by a Business Breakfast Summit for all local businesses on 28 March

Territory Business Summits in Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy will take place in late April to early May 2024 with more details coming soon.

Territory Government business support teams will also be attending the summits to provide information on the range of Northern Territory Government programs available to support your business needs.

For further information and to register head to: https://business.nt.gov.au/tbs

Quotes to attribute to Minister for Business and Jobs Joel Bowden:

“We want to make sure the Territory Labor Government hears directly the voices of our Territory business owners and together we are working to help build a strong and resilient economy for the Territory, and how we reach a $40 billion by 2030.

“The summits are a timely opportunity for business to connect directly with government and talk about their experiences and what they need from government to help them thrive in the future.

“Small businesses are the cornerstone of the Territory economy and we want to hear from you on how we can drive jobs, growth and better support the small business sector.”

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

The Territory Labor Government is growing opportunities with our largest trade partner Japan, to create more local jobs and create a greener economy.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to further strengthen cooperation between our two jurisdictions on financing energy and infrastructure projects.

JBIC is a policy-based financial institution of Japan, and conducts lending, investment and guarantee operations while complementing the private sector financial institutions.

The MoU enables the Territory to hold regular dialogue with JBIC officials, to discuss cooperative potential projects between NT and Japan, which leads to increasing investment in the Territory, involving oil and gas, carbon capture, critical minerals infrastructure, hydrogen, ammonia, renewable energy and sustainable aviation fuels.

These high-level engagement opportunities will enable the Northern Territory Government and interested proponents, to position and promote the Territory as a reliable supplier of LNG, critical minerals, hydrogen and solar, to support the global energy transition and decarbonisation programs for Japan.

The MoU aims to:

• enhance closer economic relations between the Territory and Japan

• increase financial cooperation with JBIC in support of Territory projects across priority sectors

• work to address climate change concerns and strengthen coordination among like-minded countries.

Japan and Australia have a shared goal of achieving net zero by 2050.

In 2022-23 the value of goods NT exports to Japan increased by 27.3% to $7.7 billion, driven by increases in commodities prices for oil and gas and increased exports of metalliferous ores and metal scrap categories.

Quotes attributable to Chief Minister Eva Lawler:

“By signing an MOU with JBIC, the Territory Labor Government is attracting new investment into resource extraction, mineral processing and Carbon Capture and Storage.

“This is supported by a strong industry development focus, that underpins traditional sectors such as agriculture, mining and energy, maritime and tourism, to help grow local Territory business and jobs.

“There are clear opportunities to expand our relationship with our largest trading partner, to grow our economy and achieve net zero.”

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

If you are a Northern Territory business, Aboriginal enterprise or not-for-profit organisation you can get help to reduce your day-to-day energy, water, waste and material costs through the Smarter Business Solutions program.

The program offers various types of support including:

• free advice on current efficient technologies and practices

• a free walk-through site survey to identify potential savings opportunities (not available at all locations)

• grants to encourage and support cost saving opportunities and initiatives:
• • up to $20,000 for the installation of eligible efficiency improvements 
  • up to $20,000 for the installation of off-grid renewable energy systems
  • up to $10,000 for the installation of on-grid renewable energy systems 

To find out more or to arrange a free walk-through site survey of your business, contact the Smarter Business Solutions Team on 1800 193 111 or businessinfo@nt.gov.au

Applications can also be made online at nt.gov.au/smarter-business-solutions 

Source: Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Highlights

• Conditional acquisition of a further 25% interest in the Mereenie gas field, Amadeus Basin, NT, Australia

• Doubles Mereenie 2P Total reserves and increases NZO's net 2P Total Reserves by 41%

• Upfront payment of A$42.5m, to be adjusted for revenues and costs from 1 April 2023,and further contingent payments of up to A$9m

• 100% vendor debt facility of up to A$63m covers all purchase and transaction costs,with additional availability to fund development activity

New Zealand Oil & Gas (ASX:NZO, NZX:NZO) has agreed to purchase from Macquarie Mereenie a further 25% equity interest in the Mereenie licenses, located in the Amadeus Basin in Australia's Northern Territory.

It will increase total 2P Group reserves by 41% to 23mmboe as at 1 July 2023. The acquisition will double the New Zealand Oil & Gas Group’s reserves and production from the Mereenie field.

View the full news release, click here.

Source: New Zealand Oil & Gas

Central Petroleum has secured a new gas sales agreement (GSA) with the Arafura Rare Earths group for the supply of up to 6.85 PJ of gas to its proposed Nolan’s Project in the Northern Territory over 5 years from 2026. The GSA is conditional on various conditions precedent being satisfied by Arafura by 30 June 2024, including confirmation of project approvals and a final investment decision. This new gas supply agreement allows Central to broaden its customer base across the NT and demonstrates the important role that our gas has to play in supplying customers in the Northern Territory. Arafura is developing the Nolans rare earth project, 135 kilometres north of Alice Springs, targeting one of the world’s largest undeveloped Neodymium and Praseodymium resources, critical to meeting rapidly growing global demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy technology. Central continues to provide reliable gas supplies to Australian businesses, and has entered into three new GSAs since September for the supply of over 8 PJ of gas to customers in northern Australia. To read the full release, click here. Leon Devaney MD & CEO Central Petroleum Limited Released by: Leon Devaney MD & CEO Central Petroleum Limited

The Territory Labor Government is supporting four local Territory start-ups and businesses to turn their innovative projects into commercial realities under the Business Innovation Program (BIP) 2.0.

BIP 2.0 is a business support program that assists Territory businesses develop and commercialise their innovative idea through funding and expert advisor support.

A key program under the Territory Business Innovation Strategy 2.0, BIP 2.0 grants are designed to accelerate commercialisation and innovation and help develop a $4 billion innovation ecosystem for the Northern Territory.

The BIP 2.0 round 3 projects and recipients include:

Go Locum awarded $ 30,000 to develop a mobile friendly marketplace connecting doctors with hospitals to fill urgent roster vacancies.

CastAway NT awarded $28,610 to develop a platform to strengthen diversity casting to Australia and the world through culturally appropriate First Nations-led skilling pathways and resources for producers and casting directors.

One Mile Brewery awarded $30,000 for their project Operation Liquid Nitrogen, which will see the operators produce Territory made non-carbonated beverages for Territory artisan beverage producers; and

Civil Tech Solutions awarded $30,000 for their project Automated Roadway Defect Detection and Condition Rating, a process of creating ‘digital twins’ of road and municipal infrastructure to ensure compliance, maintenance and safety for Territory roads and assist councils and Government.

BIP 2.0 includes 15 advisors from both the Territory and interstate to provide expert advice to BIP participants including Darwin Innovation Hub, Larrikin Interactive, ACTIO Group, Menzies School of Health Research and more.

The BIP 2.0 grant program is extremely competitive with this round receiving a record 26 business proposals. Territory start-ups or businesses that have an innovative idea can apply for support under Round 4.

Applications for round 4 of BIP 2.0 are now open and close at the end of April 2024. For more information and to apply head to nt.gov.au/bip

Quotes to attribute to Minister for Business and Jobs Joel Bowden:

“Harnessing innovation helps generates new ideas and technology, drives business growth, creates local jobs and attracts new investment which boosts our local economy.”

“The Territory Labor Government is supporting businesses to develop and commercialise their innovative projects through powerful programs such as BIP 2.0.

“Territory businesses are known for their ingenuity and passion and Round 4 of BIP 2.0 will help turbocharge another cohort of innovative projects invented right here in the NT.”

Quotes to attribute to One Mile Brewery co-owner Bardy Bayram:

“There is currently no facility in the Northern Territory to can non-carbonated beverages such as juices, spring-water, coffee and iced teas.

“Operation Liquid Nitrogen addresses this by adding the ability to not only can Territory-made beverages including our One Mile Brewery products but will also provide the technology for other Territory artisan beverage producers.”

Quotes to attribute to CastAway NT owner Sarah Price:

“CastAway NT’s vision is to make the Northern Territory the epicentre for diverse, groundbreaking talent.

“We are creating a new platform to support our incredible First Nations screen talent to create real careers and pathways in our domestic screen sector and supporting screen producers in creating culturally safe workplaces.

“It’s about getting talent ready for the industry and the industry ready for the talent.”

Ends

Source: Northern Territory Government newsroom

Photo caption: Kakadu Billabong Safari Camp © Tourism NT / Helen Orr