Industry News

The Environment Division within the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security (DEPWS) is responsible for administering the Petroleum (Environment) Regulations under the Petroleum Act.

The community has asked the regulator how wastewater from petroleum operations is managed during the wet season. This is an important question because of the very high rainfalls this wet season.

This community bulletin provides an overview of the regulatory framework for wastewater management and describes how officers in the Environment Division ensure compliance with the legal requirements.

Wastewater Management in the Beetaloo Sub-basin

All wastewater generated as part of an onshore petroleum activity must be managed in accordance with an approved Environment Management Plan and the Code of Practice: Onshore Petroleum Activities in the Northern Territory (the Code).

The Code requires that wastewater from hydraulic fracturing is stored in enclosed tanks constructed above the ground (unless the wastewater is being treated for reuse or disposal). The Code also requires that the above-ground tanks are monitored daily during the wet season. 

To ensure the best overall environmental outcomes are achieved, interest holders are required to implement a range of measures to reduce the risk of overtopping during the wet season. For example:

• Wastewater tank pads must be located above 1 in 100 year flood levels and fitted with leak detection and secondary bunding in the event the tank fails
• There must be a gap between the water level and the top of the tank (called “freeboard”) to accommodate a 1 in 1000 year rainfall event of 90 days. In the Beetaloo the freeboard should be around 1.5m
• The interest holder must have capacity to transfer wastewater into above-ground covered tanks at least 8 hours in advance of any predicted significant rainfall event to ensure minimum freeboard is maintained in the open tanks. The pumping transfer equipment must be tested by the interest holder to ensure it works
• All wastewater storage tanks must be fitted with level monitoring telemetry that reports back to the interest holder and is actively managed to ensure the minimum freeboard is maintained.

Authorised DEPWS officers have conducted inspections at all sites where there has been hydraulic fracturing activities before, during and following the activities. Inspectors verified that hydraulic fracturing chemicals were removed from site following activities and that wastewater was managed in accordance with the Environment Management Plan and the Code.

Images:
Tank construction 
Covered tanks 
Flood Modelling 

A message from  Women in Resources NT

This year we welcome a new category, the Technical Innovation Award. We encourage any organisation or woman who has developed an innovative process and/or technology that has improved how we work, deliver and engage in the NT's resources sector to share your story by nominating in this new award.​

We encourage all of our members, associates and industry partners to get behind our exceptional NT women in resources, and nominate a well deserving woman in our industry for an award today!

Key Dates:

Friday 12/2/2021: Nominations Open

Monday 5/4/2021: Nominations Close

Friday 23/4/2021: Judging Concludes

Friday 30/4/2021: Finalists Announced

Friday 11/6/2021: Gala Awards Dinner

https://www.wir.org.au/copy-of-2020-women-in-resources-gal-1

Joint media release with Northern Territory Senator Dr Sam McMahon

Australia’s gas-fired recovery has taken another step forward with the launch of new grants to support further exploration of the Northern Territory’s Beetaloo Basin.

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said $50 million in grants will be provided through the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program.

“The program is expected to deliver approximately 10 additional exploration wells in the Beetaloo by 2022, and bring forward at least $150 million of private investment from companies.

“This Commonwealth grants program will support gas operators to speed up exploration and development of the Beetaloo Basin,” Minister Pitt said.

“These grants are a key component of our Government’s agenda to bring gas from this world class resource into the market by at least 2025. 

“The Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program is part of the Beetaloo Strategic Basin Plan and the Government’s $224 million commitment to the Beetaloo,” Minister Pitt said.

Senator for the Northern Territory, Dr Sam McMahon, says it will be a major local economic driver.

“The Plan is expected to generate significant development in the Top End, creating up to 6,000 jobs over the next 20 years and helping Australia remain a world leader in gas,” Senator McMahon said.

“This investment by the Morrison-McCormack Government will provide new opportunities for thousands of Territorians and ensure the NT can emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic in a strong position.”

The Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program will provide grants of between $750,000 and $7.5 million, up to a total of $50 million, to gas companies to support exploration that occurs before 30 December 2022.

For more information on the Plan, visit the Unlocking the Beetaloo: The Beetaloo Strategic Basin Plan report on the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources website.

Media contacts: 

Minister Pitt's office 02 6277 7180

Senator McMahon's office 02 6277 3643

https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/pitt/media-releases/new-grants-unlock-beetaloo-basin-potential 

The potential for large-scale solar generation to transform the energy landscape in Northern Australia has been recognised by the Australian Government’s independent infrastructure advisor, Infrastructure Australia.

The initiative, proposed by Australian renewable energy company Sun Cable, was today included in Infrastructure Australia’s Annual Infrastructure Priority Initiative List, joining 3 other projects within the NT.

Specifically, Infrastructure Australia has recognised the opportunity that the Northern Territory has to produce large-scale renewable energy due to its large land mass, solar resource and proximity to energy intense markets in the Indo-Pacific region.

This presents an opportunity to harness the Northern Territory’s competitive advantage by developing large-scale, dispatchable renewable energy generation, supported by transmission infrastructure to supply domestic and export markets.

The aim of its priority project list is to highlight a pipeline of nationally significant infrastructure projects and promote government and private sector investment in critical infrastructure with strong economic and community benefits.

As Infrastructure Australia notes in the Priority List, “In light of the planned retirement of some Northern Territory gas-powered generators, large-scale solar energy generation and storage may provide an opportunity to enhance generation for the Darwin-Katherine Integrated System, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce electricity prices, which currently are subsidised by the Northern Territory Government.”

Northern Territory Chief Minister, Michael Gunner welcomed the inclusion of large-scale solar generation on the priority project list saying “Sun Cable’s Australia-ASEAN Power Link project will see up to $8 billion invested in the Territory – a massive boost for local jobs and businesses and will make the Territory a renewable energy superpower.”

“Renewable energy from Sun Cable delivered at scale into Darwin will be the catalyst for growth in existing and emerging industries, including low-emissions manufacturing and zero-emissions data centres and digital services, Michael Gunner said.

Welcoming the Infrastructure Australia announcement, Sun Cable CEO, David Griffin said “there is an opportunity to harness abundant renewable energy resources for domestic electricity supply, growing Australia’s capacity to contribute to the whole global value chain of renewable electricity, including zero emissions manufacturing, as well as creating an intercontinental renewable electricity transmission export industry for Australia,” he said.

Placing this on the Infrastructure Priority is consistent with the 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit, which found that Australia could develop new industries based on affordable and abundant new sources of energy, including large-scale solar and wind.

“Sun Cable’s vision is to create a world-class renewable electricity grid across the Indo-Pacific region, which will decouple economic growth from global greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr Griffin said.

Sun Cable’s Australia-ASEAN Power Link (AAPL) project has Major Project Status with the Australian and Northern Territory Governments. Sun Cable signed a Project Development Agreement with Hon Michael Gunner, Chief Minister and the Hon Eva Lawler, Minister for Renewables and Energy, and Infrastructure on Thursday 28 January. It is working on a Territory Benefits Plan.

The 70-year, $22B project will generate, store and transmit renewable electricity to Australian and overseas markets. This will create about 1500 jobs during construction and 350 during operations.

The project includes:

● 13 GW solar farm (the world’s largest) on a 12,000-hectare site at Powell Creek, near Elliott in the NT

● 27 GWh of critical battery storage (the world’s largest) at the solar farm, in Darwin and in Singapore

● a high voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine transmission cables from Darwin to Singapore, via Indonesia

● a 750-kilometre overhead transmission line from the solar farm to Darwin

The Australia ASEAN Power Link financial close will be in late 2023, with the first electricity to Darwin by 2026 and Singapore from 2027.

Sun Cable will now pursue the next stage of the process with Infrastructure Australia, identifying the proposed solution and providing details including the business case.

Project and initiative summaries for the Infrastructure Australia Priority List are detailed here: https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/IFA_301237_2021%20Infrastr ucture%20Priority%20List%20FA2%20Navigable%20WEB%20Flat%20EXT%20FINAL.pdf

Media contact:

Jane Munday, True North Strategic Communication, 0427 880 083

The Territory Labor Government knows that investing in renewables delivers clean, affordable and reliable energy for Territorians, attracts new private investment and creates more local jobs.

A major step in the development of an off grid renewable hydrogen project trial is set to begin in Tennant Creek by mid-March. 

The joint venture from Australian companies Axcentium and Ahurei is trialling its new technology, Aqua AeremTM, which captures water from the atmosphere in arid environments.

The Aqua AeremTM technology provides an innovative approach to secure a sustainable water supply, which is an essential in the development of renewable hydrogen and will be particularly valuable in arid areas.

The trial will be located in Tennant Creek for 12 weeks to collect local production data for further optimisation of the water capture process.

The Territory Labor Government supports trials of hydrogen technology in the Territory and is keen to champion renewable hydrogen investment as part of the Territory’s transition to renewables.

The government’s Northern Territory Renewable Hydrogen Strategy outlines the Territory’s competitive advantages and how the Territory will leverage these advantages to be a centre of hydrogen technology research, production and use in Australia.

Water is a precious resource and a sustainable water source is critical to development of renewable hydrogen projects in the Territory.

This technology provides an innovative solution for securing a sustainable water source for the production of renewable hydrogen in Tennant Creek.

This trial is the first stage of a pilot renewable hydrogen project that will ultimately produce renewable hydrogen for Territory Generation’s Tennant Creek Power Station to generate green energy as part of the electricity mix for the Tennant Creek community.

Tennant Creek’s high solar irradiance makes it an excellent location for renewable hydrogen production.

The Territory Labor Government is investing in a number of renewable projects such as the procurement of the Darwin to Katherine 35MW Big Battery, the release of the draft Electricity Market Priority Reform papers, Suncable project and our Home and Business Battery Scheme. 

Quotes from Minister for Renewables and Energy, Eva Lawler:

“In 2020, the Northern Territory Government launched the Territory’s first ever Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, bringing the NT to the forefront of the developing renewable hydrogen industry with large areas of land with high solar irradiance, close proximity to export markets.

“As renewable hydrogen technologies are continuously evolving, having innovative trials like this one in the Territory will be essential to ensure the Territory remains at the forefront of the renewable hydrogen industry.

“The Aqua Aerem renewable hydrogen project supports the Territory Government’s vision to achieve zero net emissions by 2050.

“We are building a strong and diverse economy and there are significant opportunities for clean energy production and use.” 

Quotes from co-founder of Aqua Aerem, Gerard Reiter:

“Aqua Aerem (the result of a joint venture between Axcentium-Ahurei) has been delighted to receive the support of the Northern Territory Government and Territory Generation in developing a world first off grid renewable hydrogen project to this significant milestone. 

“Aqua Aerem's™ patented water capture technology demonstrated today when combined with electrolysers has the potential to allow the Northern Territory to realise it’s 2050 carbon emission targets through the use of green hydrogen, whilst creating a future lucrative export market in renewable energy. 

“In Australia and abroad, Aqua Aerem™ is seeking to provide water to drought affected and water stressed communities and future developments are targeted at remote mining and agricultural applications.”

HIGHLIGHTS

•    Retention License applications (RLA) lodged in the Northern Territory (covering 491.01km2) over conventional gas discoveries in the McArthur Basin
•    RLAs cover portions of 100% owned McArthur Basin Exploration Licences 171 and 190.
•    First company in the McArthur Basin to lodge an application for Retention Licences.
•    Important first step towards securing production licenses for existing gas discoveries
•    Gas sale discussions underway targeting gas sales from late 2022 onwards 
•    Existing discoveries close to existing pipeline infrastructure and customers
•    Opportunity to accelerate commercialisation via Compressed Natural Gas “virtual pipeline” 
•    Potential to help regional communities’ transition from diesel to natural gas and renewables
•    Continue working with NT Government to obtaining a Production Licence

The Directors of Armour Energy Limited (ASX: AJQ; “Armour”, or “the Company”) are pleased to announce that it has lodged applications for Retention Licences (RL) in the Northern Territory over portions of its 100% owned Exploration Permits (EP) 171 and EP190 (the “Tenements”).  

The Company is the first operator in the McArthur Basin to lodge applications for Retention Licences and only the second operator since 1990 to submit RLs in the Northern Territory. 

The Company has been targeting both the conventional and unconventional gas potential in these Tenements since 2012 and through successful exploration programmes through 2012 and 2015 has made multiple conventional gas field discoveries in the Coxco Dolomite conventional reservoir with the Glyde 1 ST1 and Cow Lagoon 1. 

The Glyde 1 ST1 flowed sales quality natural gas on DST at a rate of 3.33 MMscf/day. Lamont Pass 3 encountered 520m of oil bearing Barney Creek Shale. As a result of successfully flowing hydrocarbons from Glyde 1 ST1 and Cow Lagoon 1, the grant of RLs will allow the Company to progress the discoveries within the RL area towards commercial development and the award of petroleum licences. The Company has booked Contingent Resources based on the Glyde 1 ST1 discovery (as announced to the ASX on 24 April 2013 and 21 September 2015). 

RLAs are an intermediate step towards commerciality, allowing for further appraisal works, marketing arrangements, pipeline feasibility studies, environmental studies, and entering into land access and Native Title agreements.  If granted, the RLs will put the Company in a good position to take advantage of the current gas shortage and the Northern Territory’s and Federal Government’s “Gas Led Recovery” objectives, by providing local gas to local businesses and communities.  

The Company’s Tenements are well positioned and are close to existing local major operating mine gas consumers and local and regional gas pipeline infrastructure. Proximity to this pipeline infrastructure provides prospective access for future gas development within the RLAs either North to supply Darwin, or to the East Coast Market. Alternately, the Company has also identified to potential to accelerate commercialisation via Compressed Natural Gas “virtual pipeline” solution providing accelerated access to local and regional existing and prospective gas demand.

The Company is in preliminary discussions with third parties for the supply of gas with the intention of producing and selling gas from 2022 onwards. The Company is also investigating initiatives to help supply energy to remote communities and assist with transitioning those communities from diesel powered generators to combined natural gas and renewable energy solutions similar to deployed in remote areas of central and north Queensland.  

Armour Energy’s CEO, Brad Lingo said:

“This is a great step towards supplying local Northern Territory businesses and helping the Northern Territory Government and the Federal Government with their Gas Led Recovery objectives. The Company is also excited about the opportunity to help remote communities’ transition from diesel to gas to renewable energy.

The Company has made a strong commitment to deliver on the strategic priorities outlined in August 2020 and we are very pleased to show investors that we can deliver on those commitments. More work clearly needs to be done but to deliver a material reduction in debt against the backdrop of the challenges that 2020 brought with the COVID-19 pandemic shows the resilience and commitment of the Company to deliver for shareholders.”

This Announcement is Authorised by the Board of Directors
Karl Schlobohm
Company Secretary

For further information contact:

Sarah Schuiringa – Marketing & Communications
07 – 3303 0619

Community Bulletin #37 - SREBA studies update

The NT Government has determined that a Strategic Regional Environmental and Baseline assessment (SREBA) is required for the Beetaloo Sub-basin, in accordance with recommendations from the Independent Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing.

The Framework and technical guidance notes for each of the studies were released in 2020. There are six domains that comprise a SREBA, which are all at different stages of progression and are detailed below. A SREBA must be completed before any production approvals for unconventional gas activity occurs.

Beetaloo Regional Reference Group
The Beetaloo Regional Reference Group (BRRG) has been established. The BRRG is a consultative forum for community views and input regarding the SREBA studies for the specific region. Members are drawn from organisations based in the Beetaloo region:

• Barkly Regional Council
• Roper Gulf Regional Council
• Katherine Town Council
• Northern Land Council
• NT Farmers
• Sunrise Health Services
• Territory Natural Resource Management
• Territory Resources Services Association
• Sturt Plateau Best Practice Group

The objectives of the BRRG are to:

• provide a forum for members to discuss issues of community interest related to SREBA baseline research and studies
• draw on local knowledge and enhance the community voice in guiding and shaping SREBA baseline research and studies within the scope of the BRRG
• build community understanding of SREBA-related projects or activities
• communicate SREBA activities, projects and outcomes to local communities, and to relay local community feedback on these to DEPWS, researchers and specialists
• contribute to the development of the final SREBA study reports and regional baseline report and provide feedback on these.

Read the Terms of Reference for the Beetaloo Regional Reference Group PDF (453.7 KB).

Progress updates for the six SREBA domains in the Beetaloo Sub-basin

• Terrestrial studies: Detailed environmental mapping has been undertaken in the Beetaloo as part of the Geological and Bioregional Assessment (GBA) program, with further ecological studies as part of the SREBA to commence early in the dry season. The Scope of Works has been finalised.
• Aquatic studies: Some work has been undertaken as part of the GBA, with further studies under SREBA to commence early dry season once the scope of works is agreed.
• Water studies: Some groundwater studies have been undertaken as part of the GBA program. An expert workshop met mid-December to review and confirm the draft Scope of Works, with a final draft near completion. Field work is planned to commence early dry season.
• Greenhouse gas studies: Initial baseline assessments were undertaken in the region during 2018-2019. CSIRO have been contracted to undertake the SREBA Methane and Greenhouse Gas studies with field work commencing early in the dry season, with desk-based studies currently underway.
• Environmental health studies: The procurement for the development of a scope of works is under negotiation and expected to be finalised by the end of February.
• Social, Cultural and Economic studies: consultation commenced in the last quarter of 2020 to develop a scope of works, information obtained during the consultation is currently being reviewed for the next stage.

Leading global energy producer EDL will build, own and operate the Jabiru Hybrid Renewable Project to supply power to the remote, off-grid Northern Territory town of Jabiru.

EDL Chief Executive Officer James Harman said that the company welcomed the opportunity to work in partnership with the Northern Territory Government to deliver sustainable energy for Jabiru, as the community transitions from its mining legacy to its future as a tourism and services hub.

“EDL began more than 30 years ago with the development of the Pine Creek Power Station in the Northern Territory, and we’re very proud to continue our commitment to the Territory with Jabiru being our 100th site world-wide.

“Once completed, our hybrid renewable power station will provide Jabiru with at least 50% renewable energy over the long term, without compromising power quality or reliability,” said Mr Harman.

“We are proud to contribute to the Territory’s 50% renewable energy target by 2030 through this sustainable energy solution.”

The project will integrate 3.9MW solar generation and a 3MW/5MWh battery, with 4.5MW diesel generation to balance sustainability with reliability. Construction will begin shortly.

The diesel power station will be completed by the end of 2021, and the solar farm and battery will come online in early 2022.

Artist impression of EDL’s Jabiru Hybrid Renewable Project

Download EDL's full media release here

For more information, please contact

Vivian Lim, Head of Communications

0434306131 or vivian.lim@edlenergy.com

GLOBAL energy producer EDL has announced plans to build, own and operate a hybrid power plant for the off-grid Northern Territory town of Jabiru.

The company has won a contract to build the new power station, as the nearby Ranger Uranium Mine operated by Energy Resources Australia, which up until now powered the town, winds down. 

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here

SANTOS has defended the scope of its decarbonisation plans as activist shareholders lodge a resolution to compel to disclose how it will align itself with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The resolutions, put to Santos by Market Forces,  will be put to a vote when shareholders meet on April 15. 

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here