Industry News

Energy Club NT has joined the Top End Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) Partnership to help develop the NT Energy industry’s future workforce. 

The P-TECH model enables industry, education and community to collaborate to provide students with industry-supported pathways to STEM related qualifications and local employment opportunities. 

There are 14 partnerships involved in the Government-funded P-TECH Australia Pilot, and Top End is the only partnership in the Northern Territory.

Top End P-TECH focuses on building Casuarina Senior College students’ STEM and job-ready general skills to prepare them for the jobs of the future in the Energy, and Defence Maritime Sustainment industries.

Energy Club NT joins Norship Marine, Austal, Thales, Royal Australian Navy, Territory Generation and NT Power Water Corporation as an industry partner.

Energy Club NT CEO, Sonia Harvey, says Top End PTECH is a “fantastic opportunity” to connect with local students to promote the extensive career opportunities in the region’s Energy industry.

“It’s essential that we engage students early to ensure these career pathways can be explored,” Harvey says. “Providing Territory jobs for Territory students will help to support existing businesses and new opportunities to come as the industry continues to develop in our region. There is no longer the need to leave the Northern Territory to have access to world class, innovative careers in the Energy industry.” 

Energy Club NT encourages members to get involved with Top End P-TECH Partnership. If you are interested in working with local students to provide mentoring and create engaging projects, please get in touch via email (info@energyclubnt.com.au) to discuss opportunities.

To learn more about P-TECH, visit: www.ptech.org.au/topend-p-tech-partnership/. 

THE FALCON Oil & Gas (30%) and Origin Energy (70%) joint venture have accelerated plans for the second stage of its upcoming exploration and appraisal program in the Beetaloo sub-Basin, signing a rig contract with Ensign Australia and outlining activities for the next 12 months.

The Beetaloo is considered one of the most prospective parts of the Northern Territory and now the Top End has lifted its fraccing moratorium, albeit with 135 conditions, Origin and Irish partner Falcon have committed to conducting the appraisal program over the coming months and have already begun work at some well sites including water bore drilling and water monitoring.  

The drilling program will include two horizontal wells and one vertical well, the first of which will spud in June.  

The Stage 2 Cost Cap is approximately A$65m for the exploration and appraisal program, including the drilling and hydraulic fracture stimulation costs of the two horizontal wells. 

The focus will be on the liquids-rich Kyalla Formation and Velkerri Shale. Together with the Velkerri B dry gas play discovered in 2016, this allows for the assessment of three plays, enabling the most commercially prospective play to be targeted for Stage 3 drilling next year.  

Falcon CEO Phillip O'Quigley said the announcement was an exciting development for shareholders.  

"We look forward to updating the market as work progresses over the coming months," he said. 

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here.

Dale Wakefield, Member for Braitling 

The Territory Labor Government has granted a mineral lease for a new lithium mine that has the capacity to create up to 150 jobs during construction and 90 during operation.

The project, located around 36km from Berry Springs and 90km from Darwin by road, is being developed by Lithium Developments (Grants NT) Pty Ltd, of Core Lithium Ltd.

Lithium is a vital ingredient in lithium-ion battery technology, used in electric vehicles and energy storage, and the present boom in demand for the resource is expected to continue.

No chemicals are required to turn lithium ore into concentrate, which will be processed at the site then shipped by road to Darwin Port for export.

Quotes from Acting Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Dale Wakefield:

“Creating jobs is the number one priority of this Government and this is an important milestone for this project.

“If it successfully goes through the rest of the approvals process, this mine could not only provide direct jobs for Territorians on site, but also flow-on effects for Territory businesses through contracts and tenders.”

Quote from Core Lithium Managing Director, Stephen Biggins:

“We are grateful for the strong support of the NT Government in enabling us to be part of a bright new future in the development of the renewable energy industry chain for the Northern Territory.”

Media Contact: Leanne Hudson 0427 687 079

TIMOR-Leste president Francisco Guterres has approved use of the nation’s sovereign wealth fund – earned from petroleum revenues – for a US$650 million purchase of ConocoPhillips’ and Shell’s shares of the Greater Sunrise gas project. 

The president earlier vetoed the bill allowing the use of the fund, suggesting the monies could be misused, and suggested the proposal would have to first be revised, however having won the approval of parliament Guterres was forced to ratify the unaltered terms.  

Reuters says the decree removes the 20% ceiling on state participation in hydrocarbon projects and will allow Greater Sunrise and other projects "to bypass approvals by parliament in future".  

The tiny nation moved first on ConocoPhillips, and then Shell, last year to take their interests in the long-stalled development. 

That has increased the nation's share of the project to over 56%, making it the majority stakeholder over operator Woodside Petroleum and giving it leverage to push for its preferred development concept of an LNG plant onshore Timor-Leste, rather than Woodside's plan of sending the gas to Darwin.  

A permanent maritime boundary with Australia was agreed between the two nations' foreign ministers in April.  

The terms of the production sharing contract would see the small nation take 70% of revenue should the gas be sent to its shores and 80% if the plant is developed in Australia. 

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here.

Ambitious plans to have 80,000 hydrogen (H2)-powered fuel cell vehicles on South Korea’s roads by 2022 were unveiled by President Moon Jae-in today as he announced his government’s determination to build a so-called H2 economy.

The South Korean Government sees H2 as a new engine for economic growth and central in the country’s shift to a low-carbon economy in the long term.

At a government-led event in the southeastern city of Ulsan today, Moon announced a road map which would see the country produce 6.2 million units of fuel cell electric vehicles and build 1,200 refuelling stations by 2040.

The government will provide subsidies for fuel-cell electric taxis and trucks while working with local governments to increase the number of fuel-cell electric buses to 2,000 by 2022. It will also replace all 820 police buses with fuel cell electric buses in 2021.

“Our government’s determination to (build) a hydrogen economy is firm,” the president said at the meeting, as reported by the Korea Times.

“Unlike carbon, which creates greenhouse gas and fine dust, H2 is a clean energy that produces only water as a by-product. Also, H2 cars have the effect of purifying fine dust when in operation.”

“H2 is an endless resource that can be found anywhere. Right now, extracting (energy) from fossil fuels is common, but generating renewable energy from solar, wind and bio energy sources will become more common in the future.”

“We are an energy-poor country that relies on imports for 95% of its energy needs. Once we are able to supply a certain portion of energy through the H2 economy, we may more steadily develop our economy and enhance our energy security.”

“The H2 economy will open doors to a new opportunity for us.”

Source: Gas World

The Brighter program is an initiative of APPEA, the voice of the oil and gas industry. Brighter is a new way of talking to Australians about the role natural gas plays in their everyday life and exists to draw out and champion the positive stories surrounding Australian natural gas.

To reach a broad cross-section of Australians, Brighter has sourced a range of stories that represent the industry, from the role it plays in STEM education to supporting small businesses and the everyday uses of gas in the home.

The Brighter team are excited to announced that their new online series, The Chef's Secret - Cooking with Gas, premiered online on Monday 14 January. They have brought on two well-known Australian chefs, Adrian Richardson and Georgia Barnes, to demonstrate how Australians can make the most of natural gas used for cooking - whether it be on a cooktop, BBQ or even camping stove.

This eight-part series is available to view on the Brighter website (www.bright-r.com.au<http://www.bright-r.com.au>) with new episodes available from 4pm on Mondays.

To spread the word or just learn more - find and follow Brighter through these channels:

Bright-r.com.au
Facebook.com/brighteraustralia
Twitter.com/brighterwithgas
Instagram.com/brighter_au

Attendees gain an appreciation of the geological, technical and economic aspects of the industry, features of the onshore and offshore environments, as well as the exploration, development and production phases. The seminars offer an invaluable opportunity to understand the key characteristics and global context of Australia’s oil and gas industry, and come to grips with its key concepts and terminology.

These seminars will be delivered nationally and facilitated by Curtin University’s Adjunct Professor Peter Moore and University of Adelaide’s Associate Professor Steve Mackie.

Delegates will gain an understanding in:
       -  Background information and the global context of Australia’s oil and gas industry
       -  Geological, technical and economic aspects of the industry
       -  Features of the onshore and offshore environments
       -  The exploration, development and production phases of oil and gas
       -  Key concepts and terminology 

2019 Seminar series dates and locations

• Brisbane – Tuesday 26 February
• Perth – Thursday 21 March
• Darwin – Tuesday 26 March
• Brisbane – Monday 27 May (APPEA Conference 27-30 May)
• Canberra – Tuesday 13 August
• Melbourne – Tuesday 17 September
• Brisbane – Tuesday 8 October
• Perth – Thursday 10 October

Further details available here: https://www.appea.com.au/event/intro-to-oil-gas-industry-seminars/

APPEA Members rates available for ECNT members - contact the office.

Office of the Chief Mnister Media Release

The Northern Territory is set to be powered by 10 per cent renewable energy before the end of the year, thanks to a new, $43 million solar project announced by the Territory Labor Government today.

Australian renewables developer Tetris Energy will soon advance to construction on two 10MW solar farms at Batchelor and Manton Dam, which will generate enough energy to power 5000 homes when completed in the second half of 2019.

The project, in combination with the previously announced 25MW Katherine Solar Farm, will catapult the share of renewable energy use in the NT’s major centres from the current 3 per cent to 10 per cent.

The Territory Labor Government has set a target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

Up to 70 local jobs will be supported during the construction phase of the project, scheduled to last from March until September.

Jacana Energy and NT Solar Investments have entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the electricity and renewable energy certificates generated by the two farms.

Quotes attributable to Chief Minister, Michael Gunner.

“The Territory Labor Government’s number one priority is jobs for Territorians.

“We are delivering our election promise of 50 per cent renewables by 2030 and that will create local jobs, and cheaper, cleaner, more reliable power, which benefits all Territorians.” 

 “We have kept our promise to stabilise power prices after massive hikes under the CLP and by delivering cheaper and cleaner electricity, we will put downward pressure on electricity costs.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Renewables and Essential Services, Dale Wakefield.

“This private sector investment by Tetris Energy will take us to 10 per cent renewable energy by the end of the year, which is a huge step towards our renewable energy target of 50 per cent renewables by 2030.

“The Territory Labor Government knows the NT can be the solar capital of Australia. That’s why we have invested in a $59 million joint investment with ARENA for the Solar SETuP program providing 10MW of solar across 25 remote communities, $5 million into our Rooftop Solar in Schools program, $8.3 million in the 5MW Alice Springs Battery Energy Storage System and $4.5 million in our smart energy grants scheme.

“With the Katherine Solar Farm and these projects announced today, that’s over $150M in renewables investment by the Territory Labor Government.”

Quotes from Frank Boland, Director, Tetris Energy

“Tetris Energy welcomes the opportunity to enter into the Power Purchase Agreement to sell electricity to Jacana Energy from the Manton Dam and Batchelor Solar Farms. This will be an important enabler in moving towards construction at the end of the wet season.

“Jacana Energy customers located all over the Darwin-Katherine network will receive the benefits of clean renewable electricity. By using the latest in single axis tracking Solar PV technology, it will allow the plants to generate more power in the mornings and evenings.

“The Northern Territory has enormous opportunity for renewable energy and Tetris Energy is excited to be a part of the Territory Government’s initiatives to enable this private sector investment in new renewable energy projects. We expect there to be an opportunity of around 70 local jobs during the construction of these two projects and ongoing local roles for service and maintenance.

“Tetris Energy has collaborated with Infigen Energy to advance the development of the Manton Dam and Batchelor Solar Projects.”

Media Contact: Cameron Angus 0404 021 192

The Brighter program is a new way of talking to Australians about the role natural gas plays in their everyday life.

From gas-powered ships and the best public BBQs to the role industry plays in STEM education and supporting small businesses, the Brighter program exists to draw out and champion the positive stories surrounding Australian natural gas.

We’ll be telling these stories through stakeholders and local communities, through a vast array of digital channels, at local forums, through creative media and at live events. We’ll be reaching a broad cross-section of Australians, including those completely unfamiliar with the industry, in a way that’s meaningful to them. 

We’d love you to join us to spread the word or just learn more - find and follow Brighter through these channels:

Bright-r.com.au

Facebook.com/brighteraustralia

Twitter.com/brighterwithgas

Instagram.com/brighter_au

Natural gas. Naturally part of every day.

Health Services Traineeship 

ConocoPhillips and Charles Darwin University have developed a Health Services Traineeship for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cohort. This is a comprehensive, 20 week program that involves 12 weeks of classroom time at CDU, and eight weeks of practical on-the-job training. Participants will receive a wage for the duration of the program. Once all competencies have been achieved, participants will obtain a Certificate III in Individual Support, and ideally, will secure full time employment with the host employer. A Certificate III in Individual Support enables participants to work in aged and disability care, areas that are of high need in the NT. 

Entry requirements

There are no minimum admission requirements however applicants who wish to commence this course need to have the required skills and knowledge to undertake the qualification at this level e.g. completion of Year 10 or equivalent and a general command of spoken and written English to be able to meet industry standards for communication. 

Selection Criteria

The selected participants will meet the following criteria:

·          Willing to take on the 20 week training program and full-time work as part of the work placement component,

·          Evidence of managing responsibility in the workplace, home or community,

·          Can obtain Police clearance and OCHRE card

·          Completion of year 10 (desirable)

·          Ability and willingness to undertake shift work during work placement (if applicable)

·          Access to own transport, or willingness to arrange suitable transport, to and from work placement location 

There are 15 positions are available, and we strongly encourage applications from the Larrakia community.  Applications are now open and will close Friday 25 January 2019. An information session will be held at CDU on Wednesday 16 January 2019. The program will commence on Monday 18 February 2019.

More Information

Please contact Amelia Seipel at CDU if you have any questions on 8980 0600, email: amelia.seipel@gtnt.com.au  or Jess Ong, External Relations Advisor ConocoPhillips 8919 1808, email: Jessica.Ong@contractor.conocophillips.com