Industry News

Office of the Minister Eva Lawler

The Territory Labor Government has moved one step closer to introducing its new environment protection legislation following extensive community consultation.

The consultation resulted in 35 stakeholder groups interviewed, 33 written submissions and 178 form letters.

Several amendments to the draft legislation will be made as a result of the consultation process to ensure the legislation retains its principle focus on mitigating the environmental impacts of development while protecting the environment.

The Environment Protection Bill is due to be introduced to Parliament in May and represents the first stage of environmental regulatory reforms promised by the Territory Labor Government.

Establishing a new environment protection legislative framework aims to build community trust, facilitate investor certainty and deliver better environmental outcomes.

The new Bill:

• replaces the current Environmental Assessment Act;
• provides for a new environmental impact assessment system;
• provides the introduction of a single environmental approval issued by the Environment Minister;
• will be supported by new regulations which provide for different levels of assessment; and
• enables prescribed timeframes for each decision in the environmental impact assessment system.

A comprehensive response to the submissions received can be viewed at https://denr.nt.gov.au/environment-information/environmental-regulatory-reform/submissions-draft-environment-protection-bill-and-regulations together with the Report and individual submissions.

Quotes from the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, Eva Lawler:

“The Territory’s natural environment is one of our best assets and a huge part of what makes living here so special - Protecting the environment creates jobs, and good environmental policy is smart economic policy.

“The Territory’s current environment protection legislation is confusing and outdated – that is why the Territory Labor Government will introduce a new Environmental Protection Bill that will support industry and protect the environment.

“The implementation of this legislation is another solid example of our Government delivering on our promises to protect the environment and create jobs.

“The Territory Labor Government has balanced the views of stakeholders to construct an environmental regulatory framework that provides for public participation and greater transparency, certainty and timeliness of decisions.”

Media Contact: Ellie Clancy 0436 646 689

Office of Minister Eva Lawler

The first Environment Management Plan (EMP) for onshore shale gas exploration drilling since the Territory Labor Government lifted the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory has been accepted for assessment.

The Santos QNT Ltd (Santos) McArthur Basin EP 161 Drilling Program 2019 (EMP) has been published at https://denr.nt.gov.au/environment-information/onshore-gas-in-the-northern-territory/environment-management-plan with the 28 day consultation period open from tomorrow.

The EMP is an activity specific plan that must show all environmental impacts and risks have been considered and appropriate environmental management practices implemented.

The Territory Labor Government is restoring trust and certainty through the implementation of a robust, clear and transparent set of rules and guidelines around how the environment must be protected in accordance with all 135 recommendations of the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing.

The Petroleum (Environment) Regulations require the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources to publish an EMP for public comment, where the activity involves drilling of a petroleum well or hydraulic fracturing.

Interested parties may submit written comments on the EMP during the consultation period and the Minister will consider these comments in deciding whether to approve an EMP.

All EMP decisions will be published on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) website, including a statement of reasons outlining why the decision was made.

Quotes from the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, Eva Lawler:

“This Government is making it easier to invest in the Territory as these reforms will ensure our unique environment and the jobs that rely on it are protected, while also providing further opportunities for investment and new jobs for the Territory - protecting the environment creates jobs, and good environmental policy is smart economic policy.

“I thank Santos for submitting its EMP and encourage the community to have a look at it and provide their comments so I can make a fully informed decision.

“Providing the community with a legislative right to have their say on the approval of an EMP relating to drilling or fracking will help restore trust and transparency - a process that did not exist under the previous CLP government.”

Media Contact: Ellie Clancy 0436 646 689

Office Minister Paul Kirby

The Territory Labor Government is outlining a vision for the NT to become a globally-significant producing, processing and manufacturing centre for critical minerals.

Released today, the Territory Critical Minerals Plan is designed to further grow the industry, create jobs and stimulate the economy.

The Territory Critical Minerals Plan helps position the Territory as a strategically significant jurisdiction in critical minerals important to the high technology, battery and defence sectors, and seeks to:

• Accelerate exploration for critical minerals

• Support critical minerals projects to commence production

• Grow refining, processing and manufacturing of critical minerals in the Territory

  There are potential critical minerals projects progressing in the Territory including TNG Limited’s Mount Peake Project, KGL Resources Limited’s Jervois Project, Arafura Resources Limited’s Nolan Project and Core Lithium Ltd’s Finniss Lithium Project. The Territory Critical Minerals Plan helps support these projects.

  A more comprehensive Territory Minerals Industry Development Strategy is under development by the Departments of Trade, Business and Innovation and Primary Industry and Resources with a view to being released by the end of 2019.

  Quotes from Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Paul Kirby:

  “The Territory is attracting international investment interest with strong reserves in critical minerals including copper, lithium, vanadium, rare earths, tungsten and cobalt, and with established logistics capability for exporting critical minerals to international markets.

  “The Territory Labor Government supports the development of new critical minerals projects. Establishing new mines creates local jobs for Territorians.

  “The Territory Critical Minerals Plan will help develop the Territory’s strategic mineral reserves and will showcase the Territory’s competitive advantages to potential investors, other jurisdictions and the Australian Government.”

  Media Contact: Carl Pfeiffer 0417 910 720

Office Minister Dale Wakefield

The Territory Labor Government’s target of 50% renewables by 2030 will deliver local jobs, and cheaper, cleaner power.

Construction is now complete on the Solar Energy Transformation Program (SETuP), which is Australia’s largest rollout of solar power to remote communities.

SETuP is a $59 million program co-funded by the Territory Government and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The program was rolled out to 25 sites across the Territory.

SETuP integrates 10MW of solar PV in remote locations with existing power stations, resulting in remote hybrid power generation. This reduces reliance on costly diesel for electricity generation, and delivers reliable and safe power to remote locations.

The primary goal of the program is to reduce diesel use by 15% in targeted communities, which adds up to 94 million litres of diesel savings over the life of the program (25 years). 

The SETuP program was delivered by Power and Water Corporation and the existing funding agreement with ARENA will go through to April 2022 for performance reporting.

Quotes from Minister for Renewables, Energy & Essential Services, Dale Wakefield

“The SETuP program is an important step forward in achieving the Territory Labor Government’s target of 50% renewable energy by 2030. SETuP will help to support cleaner power for Territorians in remote communities by reducing reliance on costly diesel, and also air pollution.

“ARENA is our partner in this significant program that will deliver for remote Territorians in decades to come. I thank them for their continued partnership and investment in the Territory.

“The SETuP program was delivered by Power and Water. The program has won engineering excellence awards and due to the hard work and innovation by staff, the Territory is now seen as a leader in remote hybrid power generation. I congratulate and thank all involved.”

Quotes from CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), Darren Miller  

“This is a fantastic achievement for all involved in completing this ambitious project to deliver the largest rollout of renewable energy to remote, off grid communities in the Northern Territory.

“By installing solar power systems across these 25 communities, this project will help these communities to reduce their reliance on diesel. Now integrated, these communities can increase their uptake of renewables and have the option to add batteries to store their solar energy in the future.

“SETuP is part of ARENA’s Regional Australia’s Renewables - Community and Regional Renewable Energy (CARRE) Program, where the Agency worked collaboratively with key regional energy suppliers and distributors to assess, plan, fund and share the results from projects like SETuP, with an aim to replicate the program's successes across further communities.” 

NOTE: See attached list and map of the 25 remote communities that are part of the SETuP program. Also attached are images of solar PV panels constructed in Atitjere (Hart’s Range) and Gunbalanya (Oenpelli).

 

Media Contact: Paige Nguyen 0428 727 244
paige.nguyen@nt.gov.au

SHELL yesterday announced a range of new carbon offset plans from forest planting to expanded carbon credits and ways users can offset their own emissions via purchase of its high octane fuel Shell V-Power as part of its drive to reduce emissions by 2%-3% in the next three years. 

For Australia that means an 800 hectare reforestation project in Queensland and internationally it will partner with independent Dutch state forestry service Staatsbosbeheer to plant over five million trees in the next 12 years.  

The forester will plant new trees after ash trees were affected by what it calls "an aggressive fungal disease" in the Netherlands.  

Shell has also signed on with Land Life for a 300 hectare reforestation project in Spain, with 300,000 trees to be planted in the Castilla y Leon region by the end of 2019.  

"Combined with a technology-driven approach, reforestation can now be achieved and optimised at scale, maximising the impact of this investment," Land Life  CEO Jurriaan Ruys said.  

It is also expanding carbon offset opportunities for businesses to purchase a wide variety of carbon credits to offset CO2 from their vehicle fleets.  

Shell said it buys these from "a global portfolio of nature-based projects, including Cordillera Azul National Park Project in Peru, Katingan Peatland Restoration and Conservation Project in Indonesia and GreenTrees Reforestation Project in the US".  

Each credit is third-party verified and is worth 1 tonne of CO2. 

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here.

Code of Practice open for Public Consultation

The Northern Territory Government has worked with independent scientific experts to develop a draft Code of Practice for Onshore Petroleum Activities in the Northern Territory and is now seeking public feedback.

The Code of Practice has been drafted to clearly define the standards and requirements that petroleum companies operating in the Northern Territory will need to abide by.  

The Code of Practice incorporates a number of recommendations from the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory; including offset and set back distances, multilevel water monitoring bores to be installed, and pressure testing of petroleum wells.

The requirements of the Code of Practice will also be incorporated in Environment Management Plans (EMPs). These requirements must be complied with by petroleum companies carrying out activities.

The draft Code of Practice will be out for public consultation for four weeks. The public can provide comment via the Have Your Say website until Thursday 2 May 2019.

To read the proposed draft Codes of Practice, please visit Have your say

To read the latest from the NTG Newsroom, please visit NTG Newsroom

To read the Implementation Plan or access additional information, please visit hydraulicfracturing.nt.gov.au

THE Northern Territory government has released its draft Code of Practice for onshore gas development a day after the Federal budget allocated $8.4 million over four years for feasibility studies in the Beetaloo Sub-basin, where Santos and Origin are expected to drill two wells each before the wet season. 

The Top End government calls it "a major step forward in delivering a transparent, accountable onshore gas industry that will create jobs for Territorians while protecting the environment".  

The 120 page draft code, based around the 135 recommendations of the scientific inquiry into fraccing of last year, is available for public comment until May 2.  

"Our government is taking action so that as the Territory's onshore gas industry emerges, our unique natural environment and existing industries are protected," the minister for primary industry and resources Paul Kirby said.  

"The Inquiry said that the design and implementation of a robust regulatory framework was a fundamental precursor to the development of any onshore shale gas industry in the NT.  

CSIRO senior research scientist energy Dr Cameron Huddlestone-Holmes called the code's development "technically sound and pragmatic".   

"Over the past six months, working under the direction of the NT Government, we have collaborated with policy makers, industry representatives, and CSIRO's own technical experts to develop a Code of Practice that addresses the relevant recommendations from the Independent Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing. 

"The Code of Practice draws on similar regulatory instruments in other jurisdictions, NT government policy and the Independent Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing's final report," he said.  

However, something to be noted is the code is not restricted to unconventional exploration but  will apply "to all activities involved in both conventional and unconventional oil and gas exploration, appraisal, development and production and ancillary activities in the Northern Territory. This Code covers all petroleum activities," it said.  

Energy News will update with more information soon. 

 SOURCE: Energy News Bulletin

The code can be downloaded here: https://haveyoursay.nt.gov.au/44527/documents/101939

Energy Club NT are proud to be a supporting partner of this years Indigenous Economic Development Summit being held in Darwin 15-17 May.

The Hon. Selena Uibo MLA, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Education and Workforce Training, NT Government has been confirmed to speak at the upcoming Indigenous Economic Development Summit (15-17 May | Darwin)

Joining her will be over 30 of the most experienced and influential thought leaders from Government, industry, land councils and the wider Indigenous community. The summit will showcase some of the most effective strategies to expand the Indigenous business sector and advance economic opportunities.

Key topics to be covered include:

• ·         Government initiatives to advance Indigenous economic development: Hon Warren Snowdon MP, Eddie Fry and various Federal and State departments will explore policies and plans to boost the Indigenous business sector and increasing Indigenous engagement and participation through government procurement processes.
  
• ·         Case studies on successful Indigenous start-ups and enterprise: Leverage lessons from successful entrepreneurs and discover effective strategies to build capability in Aboriginal businesses.
  
• ·         Strategies to boost Indigenous employment and build impactful partnerships: In-depth discussions on how organisations can increase Indigenous employment and create strong partnerships with government and Aboriginal corporations to deliver better outcomes for Indigenous communities.
  
• ·         Initiatives to boost economic development on local Aboriginal land: National Native Title Council and various land authorities across NT, WA, QLD and VIC will discuss boosting Indigenous industry development and commercial land development on local Aboriginal land.

Visit http://www.ied.aventedge.com/ for more information or register now here: http://elm.aventedge.com/ied-reg

Progress towards developing a highly-regulated onshore gas industry: Petroleum Act Amendment Bill 2018 passes and new CSIRO Methane Monitoring Report released

Significant progress implementing the recommendations from the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory is continuing, with amendments to petroleum legislation passed in Parliament last week and the release of CSIRO’s second interim methane monitoring report for the Beetaloo Sub-Basin.


Passing of the Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill 2018

Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 addresses a number of key recommendations including:

• Creating provisions for judicial review, with any person now able to have proceedings heard in the Supreme Court to challenge the lawfulness of particular decisions or determinations under the Petroleum Act 1984 and Petroleum (Environment) Regulations 2016 if they believe the legal process was not followed correctly.
• Ensuring gas companies applying for an exploration permit or production licences must be a “fit and proper person”, with past history and performance taken into consideration.
• Enforcing adherence to mandatory Codes of Practice under the Petroleum (Environment) Regulations 2016.

The mandatory Codes of Practice will be vital to the strong regulatory regime being implemented, addressing well integrity, well decommissioning and abandonment, methane monitoring, surface activities and wastewater management.

These amendments, along with the implementation of other recommendations summarised in table 16.1 of the Final Report of the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing, will allow exploration to commence this year.

Release of CSIRO’s Ground Survey Monitoring Baseline Emissions in the Beetaloo Sub-basin

CSIRO has published a second interim report following its second round of monitoring of baseline methane emissions in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.

The Inquiry recommended that baseline monitoring of methane be undertaken ahead of the granting of exploration approvals for unconventional gas under recommendation 9.3. The NT Government commissioned the CSIRO through the Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance (GISERA) to conduct baseline methane monitoring in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.

The CSIRO’s second interim report presented data from surveys conducted over a nine-day period during the fire season between the 6 and 15 November 2018. The first published report presented data from surveys undertaken earlier in the dry season. Additional surveys were conducted during the wet season in early 2019, with findings to be presented in a third report in the coming months.

The surveys of atmospheric methane concentrations within the Beetaloo Sub-basin region were conducted using two gas analysers mounted in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Vehicle surveys covered approximately 5,300 km on trafficable roads and tracks during the nine-day survey period.

Most of the survey areas include pastoral land, crown land and exploration leases. Where accessible, targeted surveys made during the first survey were repeated at 10 of the 11 plugged and abandoned or suspended petroleum wells, and 16 of the 21 water bores visited during the first survey, and three additional water bores.

The interim report found that overall the majority of methane concentrations recorded during the surveys were within the range of 1.77 to 1.85 parts per million (ppm) with a median value of 1.81 ppm, which is very close to normal background concentrations expected in rural or natural areas, of about 1.8 ppm. This was similar to the results from the first survey.

Isolated pockets of slightly elevated methane concentrations were observed in some areas; the sources of these were identified as grazing cattle, urban areas, pipeline infrastructure and local fires. The observations were expected given these activities are known to generate emissions and were within expected ranges, being very low above background levels.

To read CSIRO’s latest Baseline Methane Monitoring Interim Report click here.

To access detailed information about key legislative and administrative changes, and the implementation of each specific recommendation, visit www.hydraulicfracturing.nt.gov.au

You can download Actions by Recommendation for a full overview of the implementation process.

To read the latest from the NTG Newsroom, please visit NTG Newsroom

To read the Implementation Plan or access additional information, please visit hydraulicfracturing.nt.gov.au

SHELL may move into power retailing in Australia suggesting plans for a “substantial” electricity business at a Bloomberg event in Sydney yesterday, with a focus on renewables as the Dutch oil major sees increasing electrification of the power sector.

The plans are part of its switch to lower carbon energy, though it apparently still sees a future for gas in industry and across the developing world.  

"For us to remain relevant, if we are no good at low-carbon power, we will lose our customer face business. That would be a shame because we are really good at it," global head of gas and new energy Maarten Wetselaar said, according to media reports.  

"It will depend a bit on the opportunity set in Australia and how quickly we want to have all the pieces of the puzzle together, but I'd be very disappointed if we don't have an integrated power business in Australia in the course of a decade, and if we're going to have it, it might as well be substantial." 

"We think there is value to be had on the generation side, the solar farms, wind farms and storage solutions, and the ways with which gas can plug the gaps. 

"You add in the customer side …and trading in the middle…. and you can make value in all three bits and then you make some value by connecting all three," he said.  

He suggested in two decades time houses would be fully electrified for all heating and cooling purposes and said "the provision of electrons" to retail, commercial and industrial customers was part of Shell's longer term strategy.  

Earlier Shell announced it was purchasing Germany's sonnen, a battery company. 

In February at a Melbourne Mining Club speech Shell Australia chair Zoe Yujnovich also announced plans for a 120 megawatt solar plant for its operations.  

"On the drawing board have well-advanced plans for our first solar project − a 120-megawatt solar plant consisting of about 400,000 solar panels," she said. 

Sonnen, meanwhile, put Germany's largest virtual battery into operation, based on a network of home electricity storage systems, though what the oiler paid was not disclosed. 

 Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here.