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  • 22 Jul 2024 7:00 AM | Anonymous

    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

  • 19 Jul 2024 3:30 PM | Anonymous

    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

  • 18 Jul 2024 10:00 AM | Anonymous

    The Lawler Labor Government is focussed on providing working and training opportunities for all Territorians.

    Budget 2024 invests more than $109 million for vocational education and training, workforce growth and skilled workforce initiatives to support business and industry build the Territory’s workforce.

    Currently, there are 3,772 Territorians in apprenticeship or traineeship; to make sure more training opportunities are available the Lawler Labor Government has partnered with the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT (ISACNT), and signed an agreement to provide more workforce and training advice.

    Signed under the Workforce Advisory Grant, ISACNT will receive $3 million every year for five years to increase industry capability and capacity across the Northern Territory, and work with Government to create more training opportunities.

    ISACNT workforce advisory services includes all Territory industries and sectors, including regional and remote areas, as well as priority and disadvantaged groups.

    Most recently ISACNT partnered with Arafura Resources to identify the Territory’s current labour force capacity and the skills required to deliver critical minerals projects in the NT.

    They are also working hand in hand with the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN), the peak body representing NT Indigenous businesses to support the NTIBN’s advocacy for Aboriginal businesses and workforce.

    The pivotal work being delivered by ISACNT under the WAG will help get more Territorians working and support industry and businesses as the Lawler Labor Government continues towards its target of a $40 billion economy by 2030.

    Source: Northern Territory Newsroom

  • 18 Jul 2024 9:00 AM | Anonymous

    Eni Australia BV (Eni) has received the green light for a drilling campaign, 300km southwest of Darwin.

    Eni operates the Blacktip facilities, located in WA-33-L, which consists of a wellhead platform (WHP) in approximately 51m water depth, platform wells, flowlines and a subsea gas export pipeline which brings gas and produced water to the Yelcherr Gas Plant.

    The Blacktip drilling environment plan (EP), first submitted to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority in July 2022, is a standalone drilling EP covering the development drilling and completion scope for a new Blacktip development well at the WHP.

    The schedule for these drilling activities will subject to mobile offshore drilling unit availability, however, is anticipated to take place between 2024 and 2027.

    Once drilled, the new well will be shut in, its hook-up, commissioning and production will be covered under the Blacktip operations EP.

    The Blacktip drilling EP includes a geophysical survey at the WHP, the mobilisation, positioning, and demobilisation of a jack up mobile offshore drilling unit, drilling and completions of a new development well in the Blacktip field through an existing slot, intervention on current production wells, contingent workover operations on current production wells and ongoing operations of Blacktip facilities.

    Source: Energy Today Magazine 

  • 17 Jul 2024 8:36 AM | Anonymous

    Darwin Port’s crucial enabling role during Exercise Pitch Black reflects the facility’s rise from government ownership to privatisation over almost a decade.

    Leased for 99-years in November 2015 by the Territory Government to Landbridge, port chief executive Peter Dummett said the evolution from public to private operation had brought significant benefit to the facility and the broader Territory economy.

    The port is in the process of preparing its first masterplan in the post-privatisation phase, almost 15 years after the last one recommended, among other measures, development of a marine supply base at East Arm.

    It’s expected to be finalised by the end of the year.

    “A lot has evolved in the 14 years since the last masterplan,” Mr Dummett said.

    “There has been significant stakeholder engagement and we have got a pretty good idea of what might be coming on through the port well into the future.

    “There are a lot of moving parts as we’re a multi-industry, multi-commodity port and the masterplan will need to find that balance between all the operations conducted out here.”

    The port employs about 90 workers, 10 per cent more than before the pandemic, with at least another five employees tipped to commence later this year.

    Activity in 2024 passed pre-Covid levels and with a slew of potential projects expected to reach financial investment decision in coming years including the Beetaloo Basin and Arafura Rare Earths Nolan’s project, he is optimistic the facility has capacity to properly service its stakeholders.

    He said the port was making a return and in FY24 achieved record cargo volumes in some areas with live cattle exports and containers up 20 per cent on the previous year, motor vehicle imports increasing from an average 6000 to 8000, an eight per cent increase in total cargo tonnage and total vessel visits up 10 per cent to 1751.

    Mr Dummett was the port’s trade and property general manager for a decade before becoming chief executive two years ago, with a vision to consolidate and maximise the facility’s economic contribution to the Territory.

    He acknowledged the port’s future rested on the major projects that come to Darwin, with Santos’ Barossa project already delivering benefits, as well as the emerging fracking industry at the Beetaloo Basin near Elliott.

    This however needs to be balanced with the other industry sectors the port looks after.

    A naturally deep water harbor with tides up to 8m means maintenance dredging is rarely required and the port can attract a wide variety of vessels required to trade out of the Territory, including the large LNG tankers and cruise ships which can berth comfortably.

    “As far as the port goes there is a lot of existing capacity and there is also the ability to expand that capacity as demand grows, and that’s what the masterplanning is all about,” Mr Dummett said.

    “In my experience when the resource sector is doing well, the Territory is doing well, and that’s a result of the flow down of opportunities to the wider business community.

    “Over the years resources, tourism and defence were the top three contributors to the economy but with tourism a little slow its resources and defence that are currently leading the way.”

    In the Defence frame, Darwin Port hosts regular visits by international military vessels and last week had an Italian aircraft carrier berthed at East Arm along with two British supply vessels.

    “International defence vessels like coming to Darwin because it’s a stable environment and its close to the Central Business District, and we’re seeing more and more visits in that space,” he said.

    While the East Arm facility is the port’s major commercial contributor, Fort Hill wharf near the Darwin CBD also plays a major role servicing the cruise industry, which is a growing aspect of port work, servicing 107 cruise ships last financial year and with more expected in the coming year.

    “We’ve got a lot of room to grow with cruise,” Mr Dummett said.

    “We’ve got a dedicated facility at Fort Hill Wharf and it would be nice to use it 365 days a year. In addition to touring and accommodation demands, there are opportunities for resupplying and refuelling the vessels, particularly those operating between here and Broome.”

    Source: NT News
  • 16 Jul 2024 8:04 AM | Anonymous

    The Lawler Labor Government is continuing to back projects that get Territorians working with the environmental approval of the SunCable project.

    The SunCable project proposes to construct a 12,000 ha large scale solar farm, delivering renewable energy to Darwin via a high voltage cable and to Singapore through a high voltage undersea cable. The project is expected to create 1750 jobs during construction.

    The solar farm will be constructed at Powell Creek Station near Elliot with 800km long high voltage overhead power lines from the solar farm to Gunn Point.

    The project is expected to create 350 ongoing jobs and have an operational life of 70 years.

    A converter site will be constructed at Gunn Point where the solar power will be transported to, and then through the undersea cable to Singapore via Commonwealth and International waters.

    The NT Environment Protection Authority considered potential significant impacts from the project through a rigorous environmental impact statement process and made recommendations to the Minister.

    In accepting the NT EPA’s recommendations, the Minister has issued an environmental approval that includes conditions to ensure potential environmental impacts are managed to an acceptable level.

    The proponent is also required to ensure impacts on the terrestrial and marine environments, including threatened species, are avoided and appropriately managed.

    The NT EPA’s assessment report can be viewed on the environmental assessment public register: https://ntepa.nt.gov.au/your-business/public-registers/environmental-impact-assessments-register/completed-assessments

    The environmental approval can be viewed on the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security website: https://depws.nt.gov.au/environment-information/environmental-assessment-and-approvals/environmental-approvals

    Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

  • 15 Jul 2024 8:46 AM | Anonymous

    Top End Energy Limited (Top End or the Company) (ASX:TEE) advises of preliminary outcomes from the detailed geophysical and geological evaluation undertaken on its recently acquired Exploration Permit (EP) 144 (the Permit), which is located in the South Nicholson Basin area of the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    • Significant gas play fairway (up to ~3,500 km2) has been identified on EP 144 based on offset drilling and seismic interpretation. 
    • NDI Carrara-1 deep stratigraphic well (3.5km East of EP144 boundary) intercepted multiple source rock intervals with total organic carbon (TOC) sampled up to 5.5%. 
    • Permit located proximate to the Northern Gas Pipeline, providing access to Mt Isa and the East Coast gas market. 
    • NDI Carrara-1 well also suggests localised presence of Hydrogen and Helium, with high Hydrogen concentration samples of up to 27% (air-corrected) acquired. 
    • Top End holds a 100% interest in EP144, which is the only granted permit in the South Nicholson basin in the Northern Territory. 
    • Low-cost near-term work program designed to prove presence of source rocks on EP 144 and acquire samples of Helium and Hydrogen. 
    Commenting on the growing potential of the EP 144 acreage in the South Nicholson Basin, Managing Director Oliver Oxenbridge said:

    “Our initial work on the potential of EP 144 has delivered exciting outcomes. Our interpretation of the GA seismic lines indicates high probability of key source rock formations extending well into our acreage. When overlaid with the results from the Carrara-1 stratigraphic well, the potential for a highly prospective unconventional gas play fairway on EP 144 is readily evident. This is complemented further by Helium and Hydrogen potential also indicated across the basin. We now plan to refine our near-term work program for EP 144, which is expected to include further geophysical analysis, soil gas sampling, and targeted stratigraphic drilling.”

    All results and figures can be found through the Top End Energy ASX Announcements page.

  • 12 Jul 2024 8:43 AM | Anonymous

    Top End Energy Limited (Top End or the Company) (ASX:TEE) is pleased to announce completion of the transaction to acquire granted Northern Territory (NT) acreage from wholly owned subsidiaries of Hancock Prospecting Limited (Hancock), first announced on 27 February 2024 (the Transaction).

    TRANSACTION AND COMPLETION

    On 27 February 2024, the Company announced the execution of a binding term sheet to acquire NT Exploration Permits (EP) 144, 153 and 154 (the Permits) from Minerals Australia Pty Ltd and Jacaranda Minerals Limited, wholly owned subsidiaries of Hancock (together, the Vendors). On 14 May 2024, the Company announced that it had entered into a full form Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with the Vendors.

    On 31 May 2024, the Company and the Vendors received the consent of the Northern Land Council to the transfer of the titles pursuant to the terms of the existing Co-existence and Exploration Deeds with the Traditional Owners of the Permits.

    On 2 July 2024, the Company announced that the parties had received approval for the acquisition of the granted NT acreage in the SPA from the delegate of the Minister of Mining under section 96 of the Petroleum Act 1984. Following satisfaction of all conditions, the parties have now completed the Transaction in accordance with the SPA.

    Commenting on completion of the Transaction, Managing Director Oliver Oxenbridge said:

    “We are delighted to have completed the transaction, having received key stakeholder approvals in relatively short order. Having reached this point, we now turn our attention to executing work programs and maturing the significant prospectivity that we see in the permits. The acquisition of this acreage, in addition to the recent Ministerial grant of EP 258, finally allows Top End to commence on ground activities in the NT and address multiple high impact opportunities for discovering natural gas, Hydrogen and Helium.

    Pending completion, we have kept busy refining identified play fairways and preparing for near-term activities – we are excited to provide investors with more information in the coming weeks on the material potential we see in the permits and next steps for unlocking it.”

    Source: Top End Energy ASX Announcements

  • 10 Jul 2024 4:00 PM | Anonymous

    Australian green hydrogen firm Climate Impact Corporation (CIC) is to develop two 10GW green hydrogen projects in central Australia, using renewable hydrogen production modular technology developed in partnership with GE Vernova.

    CIC chairman and co-founder David Green said its processes would unlock inland hydrogen production opportunities in solar-rich NT and SA.

    CIC's David Green

    "Renewable hydrogen production requires a significant amount of energy and water, which aren't often found together in places like Australia," he said.

    He said the company is solving the challenge with solar power and atmospheric water generation technology.

    "It's an approach that solves one of the biggest challenges Australia has faced in becoming a renewable hydrogen superpower, and we're excited to bring it to market first," he said.

    CIC's 10GW projects would be by far the largest renewable hydrogen ventures developed in Australia to date. Having secured offtake buyers, the project is now considered commercially viable.

    Traditional renewable hydrogen production requires large quantities of water and grid-provided electricity. 

    CIC's modular hydrogen production units operate off-grid and consist of solar panels, atmospheric water generators, electrolysers, and the necessary infrastructure to produce hydrogen in insolation.

    The use of atmospheric water allows hydrogen to be produced anywhere there is abundant solar radiation, opening new locations in arid central Australia. 

    CIC's H2 production process video 

    No water, no problem

    "The demand for dependable, sustainable, and affordable renewable fuels in the Asia-Pacific is growing, and Australia is perfectly placed to become a regional hydrogen superpower to meet that need," Green added. 

    "But that means we need to invest in technology that maximises Australia's advantages and come up with creative solutions to challenges like water scarcity without a huge financial burden being placed on governments and communities. 

    "Modular, off-grid hydrogen is based on proven technology and has enormous potential to meet Australia and the region's renewable fuel needs."

    The first test modules are expected to begin production as soon as later this year. 

    Source: Energy News Bulletin 

  • 09 Jul 2024 3:30 PM | Anonymous

    Wood Group, the global consulting and engineering firm, has secured a six-year contract to provide brownfield engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) solutions for Shell's Prelude Floating Liquified Natural Gas (FLNG) facility in Western Australia.

    Ken Gilmartin, CEO at Wood said "LNG is a key transition fuel as industry balances the need for global energy security with the importance of urgent reduction in carbon emissions.

    "We're delighted to build on our 70-year global relationship with Shell to deliver integrated brownfield engineering solutions for Prelude, the world's largest floating offshore gas facility.

    "The contract will draw on our global LNG expertise and underlines our position as a market leader for brownfield engineering across Australia," Gilmartin said.

    Shares in the firm rallied on Tuesday when the announcement was made to the London Stock Exchange, opening at GBP195.50 per share, up slightly on the close the previous evening.

    Adam Cheeseman, Wood's SVP Australia West, added: "Delivered by our teams in Perth and Darwin, this win is a testament to the strength of our client relationship, our track record of successful industrial relations and our unique capabilities in construction management.

    "Securing this major contract means we are now the only company providing brownfield engineering support to every major O&G operator in Western Australia – something we are tremendously proud of," Cheesman said.

    The contract starts this month.

    Source: Energy News Bulletin

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