Industry News

6 June 2022

The Territory Labor Government is taking the next steps towards a renewable future with a range of initiatives commencing 1 July 2022 aimed at increasing the uptake of electric vehicles in the Northern Territory.

With renewable energy and electric vehicles, the average NT household could reduce vehicle-running costs as well assist the Territory in hitting our net-zero emissions by 2050 target.

From 1 July 2022, the Northern Territory Government will reduce registration and stamp duty fees for plug-in EVs and introduce the Electric Vehicle Charger (Residential and Business) Grant Scheme.

$300,000 has been allocated for this grant scheme which will includes 100 residential grants of $1000 and 80 business grants of $2500.  The grants are for the purchase and installation of EV chargers. This grant will assist Territorians with approximately half the costs of a charger and installation, and will increase the availability of chargers across the Territory.

The Territory Government’s target of net zero emissions by 2050 is supported by the uptake of EVs and providing charging infrastructure as outlined in the EV Strategy and Implementation Plan.

To further incentive Territorians to purchase EVs the Territory Government is waving the stamp duty payable on the purchase of a plug-in EV from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2027.

Stamp duty is calculated at 3% of vehicle purchase price. This incentive means that no stamp duty will be paid on $50,000 of the purchase price, representing a saving of up to $1500.

Investing in Electric Vehicles and providing the necessary infrastructure is in line with the Northern Territory Government’s Roadmap to Renewables, the NT Climate Change Response Towards 2050 and the Digital Territory Strategy.

To view the Electric Vehicle Strategy and Implementation Plan, visit www.dipl.nt.gov.au/transport/transport-strategies-and-plans

Quotes from Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:

“The Territory Labor Government will continue to invest in new industries, expand business opportunities and create jobs for Territorians. We are progressively working towards a target of 50% renewables by 2030 and zero emissions by 2050.

“We are protecting and creating a sustainable environment for all Territorians to enjoy. Incentives and programs like this supports jobs and our environment.

“$300,000 will be invested in supplying part of the cost of installing an EV charger on your home or business. Local businesses and local families will benefit from this scheme – whether it’s receiving the work now to install EV charging system or to include a new asset to your business, it’s a win for the Territory.”

Quotes from Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler:

“The Territory Labor Government is continuing to strive to reach our renewables and climate change targets.

“From 1 July the Northern Territory will be leading other jurisdictions when it comes to electric vehicle incentives. $1500 off stamp duty until 2027, and the opportunity to apply to have part of your electric charging station paid off.

“The creation of this electric vehicle policy supports our Government’s actions on addressing climate risk and to transition to a low-carbon economy. Responding to climate change will not only help us protect our environment, but will support this new industry and the jobs that come with it.”

Natasha Fyles
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory

Eva Lawler
Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics

Source: NT Government Newsroom

Ventia’s community grants program is open and we encourage groups, clubs and associations to apply for funding of up to $2,000.

The program was established in 2011 by Easternwell (now Ventia) to provide financial assistance in regions where the company has key operations including Toowoomba & the Surat Basin, Roxby Downs and the Pilbara.

In 2022, Ventia will be considering applications from community groups in Toowoomba, Surat Basin, Gladstone, Northern Territory, Roxby Downs and the Pilbara.

Designed to provide a helping hand to groups, clubs and associations that are making a difference in their communities, throughout the years Ventia has provided more than $460,000 to 286 community groups said Group Chief Executive Officer Dean Banks.

“At Ventia making infrastructure work for our communities is what we do, and our grants program is one way we can make a positive impact on the people and the world around us.”

“Last year our grass-roots program provided funding for all sorts of essential projects including training programs, sports and playground equipment, learning kits for students, art supplies and other tools and resources.”

We strive to build regional strength by supporting social activities in the communities where we work, and our grants program is just one of the ways we’re creating lasting benefits for community organisations that need it most.

Ventia is encouraging people who are involved with community groups to apply for funding to assist with essential projects to support the sustainability of community services.

Applications must be received before 30 June 2022. For more information visit https://www.ventia.com/page/community-grants

Shared from Ventia Media Release

The Utilities Commission has published the 2020-21 Northern Territory Power System Performance Review.

The review focuses on the 2020-21 generation and network performance of the Darwin-Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek power systems. More information regarding the review can be found on the Power System Performance Review page.

Prior to 2017-18, this information was contained within the Power System Review.

The revamped Territory government has reaffirmed NT Labor’s commitment to developing the Beetaloo Basin gas resource.

New Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said developing the Beetaloo fields was a priority for the Labor government.

The strong showing by Greens and climate-focused independent candidates at the weekend’s federal election has brought Beetaloo back into sharp political focus.

While the federal ALP supported the Coalition government’s push to develop Beetaloo, Greens leader Adam Bandt stated there should be no new gas fields developed in Australia. “We’ll be saying very clearly we need action on coal and gas,” Mr Bandt said.

“That has got to be the priority and in particular you can’t be opening up new gas and coal mines. “You can’t put the fire out by pouring petrol on to it.”

It remains unclear to what extent that core belief will drive Greens negotiations over the passage of legislation through the Senate with the new Labor government.

The Coalition invested tens of millions of dollars to assist gas exploration at Beetaloo and both the Territory’s major political parties have committed to the project, which could attract thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue.

The project is a key part of the Northern Territory government’s push to develop a $40bn economy by 2040.

“I said last week our policy positions have not changed,” Ms Fyles said. “The one thing that the Northern Territory needs is stability.

“My government will be about delivering for all Territorians. We have to get these key economic projects out of the ground. We have an opportunity to diversify our economy away from the boom and bust cycle that has plagued us for too long, but equally deal with those social challenges.”

Deputy Chief Minister and Mining and Industry Minister Nicole Manison agrees. “We’ve been working closely with Labor when they were in opposition and they understand how critically important the development of the Beetaloo is, and the gas industry,” Ms Manison said.

“We’ve seen (that) with the uncertainty because of the war in Ukraine, the issues around energy prices and getting the energy that Australia needs. “And it’s important also to recognise that ... gas is an important fuel of transition, because we aren’t going to go to renewable energy overnight.”

Environment Centre NT co-director Kirsty Howey predicted the Beetaloo would not be developed. “The new Chief Minister needs to come to terms with the fact that Beetaloo is just a bust, there won’t be a boom,” Dr Howey said.

“Fracking the Beetaloo Basin is economic madness, with taxpayers footing the bill with billions of dollars in subsidies to prop up a dying industry and a high risk of stranded assets as the renewables industry leaves the gas industry in its wake.

“Clean water and healthy country will underpin thousands more jobs than the Beetaloo ever will.”

A spokesman for Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said federal Labor’s position “hasn’t changed”.

Previously Senator McCarthy opposed Commonwealth grants to fund gas exploration in the Beetaloo.

The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has given the GR Engineering subsidiary an extension to the contract by another four months. The contract now ends September 30. 

UPS will continue to provide maintenance, project, and transition services to the FPSO and associated infrastructure in preparation for a disconnection and removal of the vessel. 

The latter work will be undertaken by a separate company which won a tender six weeks ago.

"We are pleased to continue working with the DISER team and the relevant regulatory bodies to safely manage and maintain the FPSO, and preparing for transition to support a safe removal of the FPSO in the future," managing director Geoff Jones said. 

Petrofac won a contract for Phase 1 work from DISER April 1 worth $325 million, with the government saying then that the company would take over from UPS as part of a managed transition. 

The company won after the government called for expressions of interest in July last year. 

UPS was production manager aboard the vessel when it was shut down over safety concerns. 

The lack of production strangled cash flow and forced the owner Northern Oil and Gas Australia into liquidation, as it had no money to decommission the ageing vessel it had picked up from Woodside Petroleum in a cheap but legal sale in 2016. 

Resources minister Keith Pitt insisted tax payers not foot the bill and after consultation with industry that was reportedly difficult on both sides imposed trailing liabilities, which will affect future sales, and a 46c per barrel of oil equivalent tariff on industry until full costs are paid. 

Separately this week Petrofac took another decommissioning contract in Mauritania worth US$60 million while today GR Engineering announced a contract for services with a gold miner. 

Source: Energy News Bulletin

23 May 2022

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has today announced her new ministry.

The new ministry is focused on continuing to drive multiple next generation projects and on working hard for Territorians.

The changes will allow ministers to deliver for Territorians whilst providing stability.

The ministers will be sworn into their new portfolios this morning at Government House.

The Member for Fong Lim Mark Monaghan has been selected by Caucus to become the new speaker.

Quotes attributable to Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:

“Our new cabinet, which will be sworn in today, will focus on strengthening the economy and tackling social challenges across the Territory.

“The new ministry will help keep our cabinet and caucus stable and balanced during this important time of change.

“We are prioritising sustainable communities for all Territorians with a transparent, united and stable government.

“Once sworn in, our team will continue putting our focus on our first priority – serving Territorians.”

FIRST FYLES MINISTRY

NATASHA FYLES

Chief Minister

Health

Alcohol Policy  

Major Projects

Defence

NICOLE MANISON

Deputy Chief Minister

Tourism and Hospitality

Parks and Rangers

Advanced Manufacturing

Mining and Industry

Northern Australia and Trade

 

EVA LAWLER

Treasurer

Education

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics

Territory Development

 

LAUREN MOSS

Environment, Climate Change and, Water Security

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Equality and Inclusion

Youth

Seniors

 

SELENA UIBO

Housing and Homelands

Renewables and Energy

Essential Services

Aboriginal Affairs

Treaty and Local Decision Making  

 

PAUL KIRBY

Business, Jobs and Training

Agribusiness and Fisheries

Public Employment

Major Events

Veteran’ Affairs

 

KATE WORDEN

Police, Fire and Emergency Services

Territory Families

Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence

Sport

CHANSEY PAECH

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice

Leader of Government Business

Racing, Gaming and Licensing

Local Government

Arts, Culture and Heritage

Desert Knowledge Australia

 

NGAREE AH KIT

Corporate and Digital Development

International Education

Disabilities

Multicultural Affairs

Central Petroleum Limited (Central) (ASX: CTP) announces that joint venture approvals have been provided for Santos as operator to carry out certain key activities, such as rig contracting, ordering long lead items and environmental and land access approvals, related to the planned drilling of three sub-salt exploration wells in 2023.

These wells are targeting hydrocarbons, helium and naturally-occurring hydrogen at the Mahler prospect (EP82, having now been formally chosen by the joint venture over the Magee prospect), the Dukas prospect (EP112) and the Mt Kitty prospect (EP125).

These wells have been programmed to be drilled under the Peak Helium farmout transaction announced on 9 February 2022, where Central will be free carried (i.e. funded) effective 1 October 2021 by Peak Helium for the Mahler and Mt Kitty wells (capped at $20 million gross cost per well).

Satisfaction of conditions precedent for the Peak Helium farmout agreement are progressing towards completion. Upon completion, Peak Helium will reimburse Central for joint venture costs incurred by Central from 1 October 2021 for the free carried portion of the wells and Peak Helium’s participating interest share of well costs.

For full ASX Announcement, click here.

Central Petroleum has announced non-firm gas from the Mereenie field will be sold into east coast trading markets.

Until now, the lack of flexible transportation options have limited Mereenie gas field sales to the Northern Territory. However, Central has made transportation and market trading arrangements with Strategic Gas Market Trading on behalf of the Mereenie Joint Venture.

These arrangements will allow for cost-efficient delivery of up to 7 TJ/d (gross JV) of gas into eastern Australia on a day-to-day basis for a two year term. Gas from the Mereenie field will now be sold into high-priced trading hubs, including Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney Short Term Trading Markets (STTMs).

Central completed its first east coast spot sale last week, achieving an ex-field price of over $13/GJ. This is approximately double the average price Central received for non-firm gas in the March quarter.

Managing director Leon Devaney said the company is very pleased with this outcome.

“This is a very exciting development for the Mereenie joint venture. Commencement of the Northern Gas Pipeline in 2019 was a milestone for the company as it unlocked the opportunity for firm gas sales into the broader east coast market,” he said.

“We haven’t had the same ability to sell non-firm gas into the east coast spot market, which as we have seen over the past few months can be very attractive. Today’s announcement is another milestone for gas marketing from Mereenie, with non-firm production now able to go to those east coast markets with the greatest need.”

An average of 1 TJ/d of spot sales over the next 12 months could generate up to $2 million in additional profit, and this increased cashflow could allow the company to invest in other exploration and development activities.

Source: https://www.oilandgastoday.com.au/

Community Engagement and Information Program lead appointed

The Northern Territory Government has signed a five-year agreement with CSIRO to deliver the Community Engagement and Information Program face-to-face through a full-time dedicated position based in the Northern Territory.

CSIRO recently appointed Dr Heather Stewart as the new Community Engagement and Information Program lead based in Darwin. Heather is in the Indigenous Science and Knowledge team with CSIRO Land and Water Business Unit. The team conducts a range of research with Indigenous co-research partners to address the challenges and harness future opportunities to support Indigenous leaders and their research and innovation agendas.

Dr Stewart is a social scientist and has worked in cross-cultural stakeholder engagement and storytelling across the Northern Territory, Queensland and Indonesia.

She will lead CSIRO’s work in collaboration with partners, to develop further evidence-based community information products on the potential impacts and benefits of the onshore gas industry.

Dr Stewart is based in CSIRO’s Darwin laboratory, commenced on 26 April 2022 and has begun planning on-country engagement as a priority.

Aboriginal Information Program factsheets

Through the Aboriginal Information Program, CSIRO has worked collaboratively with land councils to identify immediate information requirements and develop factsheets with clear, factual and relevant content for translation into languages of local Aboriginal communities potentially affected by shale gas development and hydraulic fracturing.

The factsheets are currently being translated into Aboriginal languages and will be available to use when engaging with Aboriginal people regarding the shale gas development and hydraulic fracturing in the coming months.

This program will continue to be delivered as part of the broader Community Engagement and Information Program.

Please direct all correspondence to:
Hydraulic Fracturing Inquiry Implementation Taskforce
GPO Box 4396, Darwin NT 0801
T 08 8999 6573
E hydraulic.fracturing@nt.gov.au
W hydraulicfracturing.nt.gov.au

$300M FOR ENERGY

THE Northern Territory’s dream of becoming a clean energy superpower will be turbocharged by the $300m pledge, which the Coalition claims will see more than 3800 new jobs created.

In addition to significant pledges toward clean hydrogen industry and carbon capture in Darwin, INPEX would also receive $30m to explore whether the Petrel subbasin would be suitable for CO2 storage. The company would get a further $1m to conduct a study into the feasibility of clean hydrogen.

The Japanese government has previously expressed interest in using INPEX’s Darwin operations to export clean hydrogen back to Japan, to help the nation meet growing energy demand.

A further $96m would be made available to new clean energy projects in the Northern Territory. In addition to 16,000 new jobs by 2050, Mr Morrison said construction of renewable projects in the NT could employ another 13,000.

“Our economic plan for the Territory will deliver a jobs boom, creating a stronger economy for a stronger future,” the Prime Minister said.

“We want to harness the Territory’s position as a world leader in energy and turbocharge it, unlocking investment and generating more jobs.”

Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the investment in the Northern Territory’s LNG exports was vital, given global pressure on supply.

“Global demand for LNG is poised to grow in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Territory will benefit from another jobs boom as production decarbonises and new fields like the Beetaloo are opened up,” Mr Taylor said.

He said greenhouse gas storage opportunities gave Australia’s LNG a competitive advantage on the global market.

Harnessing of LNG in the Beetaloo Basin has been hotly contested by environmentalists, with the NT government putting in place significant controls on fracking.

Excerpt from NT NEWS article