Industry News

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2024 drilling programme with the spudding of the Shenandoah South 2H (“SS2H”) horizontal well in exploration permit 98 in the Beetaloo Sub-basin, Northern Territory, Australia with Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited’s joint venture partner, Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited (“Tamboran B2”).

Following the drilling of the SS2H well, Tamboran B2 will immediately move to the Shenandoah South 3H (“SS3H”) well off the same well pad location ahead of the stimulation program.

Both wells will be drilled with a H&P super-spec FlexRig® Flex 3 Rig and will include a horizontal section of approximately 3,000 metres and will target the Amungee Member B-shale at an estimated target depth of 3,020 metres. Each well is expected to be drilled in 30 days.

The wells will be stimulated with up to 60 stages utilising the Liberty Energy modern frac fleet currently being mobilised from the US to Australia. The increased efficiency and performance of the Liberty fleet is expected to result in a material increase in the completed stages per day and optimised gas flows.

Initial flow test results from each well are expected in Q1 2025. Once flow testing is complete, both wells will be suspended as future producers to supply the proposed 40 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) Shenandoah South Pilot Project, which is expected to commence production in H1 2026, subject to final stakeholder and regulatory approvals.

The two well program will be the largest single campaign in the Beetaloo Sub-basin to date. An additional four well program is planned for 2025 which will complete the drilling for the proposed Shenandoah South Pilot Project that will supply 40 MMcf/d to the Northern Territory government.

Falcon Australia will participate in both wells in the Shenandoah South Pilot Project at its elected participating interest of 5%.

Source: Falcon Oil and Gas

SunCable has announced that the Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink) has received environmental approval from the Commonwealth Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

This follows last month's approval of the project by the Northern Territory Government under the Environment Protection (EP) Act (2019).

These approvals enable SunCable to proceed with the next phases of development to deliver industrial-scale electricity to customers in Darwin and Singapore.

AAPowerLink is one of the largest energy infrastructure projects to receive EPBC Act approval, covering a project footprint approximately 2,000km long, stretching from the heart of the Northern Territory to the Australian and Indonesian maritime border.

Through its flagship AAPowerLink project, SunCable aims to supply power to both Darwin and Singapore by harnessing, storing, and transmitting renewable energy sourced from the Northern Territory of Australia.

AAPowerLink is set to attract large-scale investment and global talent to Australia, further solidifying the country’s standing as a global leader in renewable energy technology.

A Final Investment Decision (FID) on the project is anticipated in 2027, with electricity supply expected to begin in the early 2030s.

Source: SunCable

Central and its Mereenie partners have agreed to drill two new production wells which are expected to return Mereenie gas production back to above 30 TJ/d (100% JV).

Project economics are compelling, benefitting from the new Gas Sale Agreement with the Northern Territory Government and low incremental production costs through the use of existing surface infrastructure.

Drilling is anticipated to commence around the end of this year, with new production coming on line in early 2025.

To read the full release, click here.

Source: Central Petroleum ASX Announcements

A Santos-inspired recruitment and employment program has won a national award for delivering training and job opportunities for Aboriginal people.

The Santos, KAEFER Integrated Services program took home the best social value initiative at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply awards in Sydney this month.

The award recognised projects that delivered significant social value and community benefits, with nine Aboriginal cadets starting jobs at Darwin LNG facility this year after completing a scaffolding traineeship and another nine beginning traineeships in June in areas including mechanical fitting, boilermaking, administration, accounting and bookkeeping.

Santos Darwin general manager Peter Kirkpatrick said the award acknowledged the pivotal role training and education programs could play in improving outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians.

“I am extremely proud of our Santos-KAEFER Employment Program,” Mr Kirkpatrick said. “It’s a genuine example of how Santos is taking real and practical action to help close the gap on Aboriginal disadvantage in the Northern Territory.

“The successful program is just one of several that Santos is rolling out in the Territory in coming months and years aimed at maximising employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal Territorians.

“Our major projects such as Barossa Gas and the Darwin LNG Life Extension will allow us continue to develop and fund initiatives that will support local Aboriginal communities for decades to come.”

KAEFER chief operating officer Trent Northover said the Santos partnership was about skills and jobs.

“We share an ongoing commitment to fostering the growth and development of Aboriginal Territorians and this program providing structure pathways that will lead to meaning, sustainable employment,” he said.

The training award came after Santos administration trainee Vanessa Williams was named apprentice of the year at the 2024 NAIDOC awards.

A Tiwi Island woman, Ms Williams first completed a supply chain operations traineeship at Santos’ Darwin Supply Base.

After a varied career that included retail, education and hair dressing, Ms Williams began a pathway through warehouse and logistics and is now completing a Cert III in business administration traineeship at Santos DLNG.

“I have enjoyed every minute of my traineeships and I’ve gained valuable insights into the industry, honed my skills, and cultivated a new-found confidence,” Ms Williams said.

“My daughters have witnessed this transformation, learning the importance of perseverance and happiness in one’s work.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel back to the Tiwi Islands with Santos and speak directly with community about how training can impact their lives positively.

“Seeing my family and friends’ children gain employment and traineeships in the oil and gas industry has been immensely rewarding, reinforcing my belief that everyone deserves equal opportunities for growth and success.”

Source: NT News

AREEA is launching an important training package for members on workplace delegates’ rights.

To ensure all leaders get across these new laws and changes efficiently, the training is designed in two streams, for site-based leaders (supervisors and managers) and head office leaders.

Bolstered union rights are now enshrined in all modern awards and must be included in all new enterprise agreements.

This follows the Fair Work Commission’s final determination on a workplace delegates’ rights term, which took effect on July 1.

New privileges include the right for union delegates to represent all “eligible members” of an enterprise; the right for union delegates to communicate with eligible workers “during working hours”; employers providing five paid days for workplace delegates to undertake union training in their first year in the role; and ensuring workplace delegates have reasonable access to workplace facilities.

As your industrial relations specialist organisation, AREEA will ensure training participants:

The course will be delivered online. In person, on-site training across Australia can be arranged and customised to meet specific company needs.

Source: AREEA

The Territory and federal governments have committed to a $4.7m agreement to boost solar uptake in the NT.

Announced in July, after a similar scheme last year, the Northern Territory government will implement two solar schemes funded through the Australian government’s Community Solar Banks program.

The first scheme supports apartment complexes to install shared rooftop solar systems – potentially slashing power bills by up to $500 a year for about 300 Territory households.

Applications will soon be open for the first round of the scheme, with grants of up to $7500 per dwelling or apartment offered to eligible Body Corporates to support up to half of the cost of installing a shared solar PV system.

Ben Hassall, director of No Hassall’s Electrical, said the schemes helped his business by promoting solar uptake across the NT.

“It’s one of the best ways to reduce your cost of living,” he said, estimating the average cost of a system between $15,000 to $20,000, including rebates.

He said demand for solar had remained steady despite solar tariff incentives being reduced two years ago.

Renewables and Energy Minister Kate Worden hoped the schemes would incentivise solar for those in high density blocks.

“I can be very difficult for individuals to get permission through body corporates, particularly in the larger complexes, to have single roof solar, we know that the uptake has been really low in those body corporate areas,” she said.

The second scheme is a new $2.35 million NT Community Solar Share initiative which will be launched later in the year and will see new solar systems installed on Territory government buildings with the revenue generated used to support vulnerable electricity consumers across the Territory.

The NT government will work with its government-owned energy corporations and private retailers to implement the program which will target around $300 of bill relief to approximately 700 vulnerable households across the Territory each year.

These schemes are on top of the Community Service Obligation.

Source: NT News

On 31 July 2024, the Northern Territory Government and Vopak signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), to develop a common-user infrastructure including a CO2 import terminal in the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct - Northern Territory, Australia.

The MoU frames how the government and Vopak will cooperate to progress the development of common user CO2 import, storage and handling infrastructure in Darwin.

“The Lawler Labor Government is committed to developing the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, strategic industrial land to accommodate advanced manufacturing and green energy production. CCUS capability is a core component of the circular economy design of this Precinct. I am excited to be partnering with Vopak who have been contributing to the energy security and economic development of the Northern Territory with their operations in East Arm for almost 20 years. This project contributes to the NT’s goal of a $40 billion economy by 2030 and our transition to net zero by 2050. This agreement leverages Vopak’s global expertise in developing infrastructure solutions to accelerate the energy transition worldwide,” said Eva Lawler, Chief Minister of The Northern Territory.

“For nearly 20 years, Vopak has been contributing to the energy security and economic development in East Arm near Darwin city. This project not only signifies our ongoing commitment to growth but also contributes to playing a role in decarbonisation ambitions for both the Northern Territory and Australia. Together with the Northern Territory Government, we look forward to playing a key role in Australia's transition to net zero. This development of CO2 infrastructure is fully in line with Vopak's global strategy to develop infrastructure solutions to accelerate the energy transition,” said Paul Kanters, Managing Director, Vopak Terminals Australia.

Common user CO2 facility

The CO2 import, storage and handling infrastructure will be designed to manage the import, storage and distribution of carbon dioxide in an efficient and accessible way. The facility will be shared infrastructure that can be used by various companies to help manage CO2 emissions. The imported CO2 can come from different sources such as industrial plants that capture CO2 to prevent it from being released to the atmosphere. Also CO2 from neighbouring countries can be handled. Once the CO2 is imported, it needs to be stored safely in large tanks before it will be transferred to a permanent destination, for example in underground facilities CCS, or followed by recycling the CO2 for utilization (CCUS).

About Royal Vopak

Royal Vopak helps the world flow forward. At ports around the world, we provide storage and infrastructure solutions for vital products that enrich everyday life. These products include liquids and gases that provide energy for homes and businesses, chemicals for manufacturing products, and edible oils for cooking. For all of these, our worldwide network of terminals supports the global flow of supply and demand. For more than 400 years, Vopak has been at the forefront of fundamental transformations. With a focus on safety, reliability, and efficiency, we create new connections and opportunities that drive progress. Now more than ever, our talented people are applying this mindset to support the energy transition. Together with our partners and customers, we are accelerating the development of infrastructure solutions for hydrogen, ammonia, CO₂, long-duration energy storage, and low-carbon fuels & feedstocks – paving the way to a more sustainable future. Vopak is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam and is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. For more information, please visit www.vopak.com

Source: Vopak Website

The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) has welcomed two new members, Dr Gillian Sparkes AM from Victoria and Ms Tracey Wilson from Queensland.

Initially an industrial chemist in the steel industry, Dr Sparkes has spent decades working in the manufacturing, industrial services, and waste management industries.

She has held the statutory role of Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability in Victoria since 2014, and is an experienced non-executive director working across industry, government and the not-for-profit sector.

Based in Queensland, Tracey Wilson is an experienced board member and advisor to government, business, and non-government organisations, providing research and project management services across Australia and the Asia Pacific on sustainable regional economic development.

Ms Wilson previously resided in Nhulunbuy and has extensive experience working with Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory and North Queensland.

Chaired by Dr Paul Vogel AM, the current NT EPA Board members are Janice van Reyk, Joe Woodward, Samantha Nunan, Dr Rod Lukatelich, Jordy Bowman and NT Planning Commission Chair Dr David Ritchie as an ex officio member.

The NT EPA will also be farewelling Ms Janice van Reyk who is the longest serving member, having been on the NT EPA since its establishment in 2013.

The NT EPA Board is an independent authority established under the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority Act 2012.

Quotes from Dr Paul Vogel AM:

“The experience and expertise of incoming board members Gillian Sparkes and Tracey Wilson will contribute to ensuring that the values and expectations of Territorians in regional and remote parts of the Territory are reflected in the deliberations and decisions of the NT EPA.

“As an independent authority, the work of the NT EPA is critical to ensure the Northern Territory has a robust and transparent environmental assessment and regulation framework and is able to provide sound, evidence-based advice to Government.

“I look forward to working with Dr Sparkes and Ms Wilson as the NT EPA continues to focus its efforts on improving environmental outcomes across the Northern Territory.

“And heartfelt thanks to Janice van Reyk who has made such an important and long-lasting contribution to ecologically sustainable development in the NT.”

Source: Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority

New Zealand Oil & Gas Limited has officially changed its name to Echelon Resources Limited, trading as Echelon, effective 31 July 2024. Our new ASX ticker code is ECH.

New identity, same commitment
As we embrace our new name and visual identity as Echelon, we honour the legacy and achievements of New Zealand Oil & Gas. Echelon is a geological term describing the repeated nature of geological features like mountain ranges, fault lines, beds of rocks, rivers and lines of data, and an abstract reflection of our stakeholders’ priorities. It draws inspiration from the industry we operate in and its relevance to the changing mindsets of energy consumers.

Our role in the transition.
The name Echelon signifies our progress and pivotal role in the energy transition. It reflects our commitment to providing consistent and reliable energy solutions in a world facing significant energy challenges.

Echelon's commitment to you
We are committed to upholding the highest ethical and value standards and ensuring regular communication and engagement with you. Our new emails will also change to reflect the new domain, echelonresources.com and emails sent to our old nzog.com addresses will be automatically forwarded to the new domain.

We invite you to visit our new website and follow our updated platforms Echelon Website: www.echelonresources.com  
Echelon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/327887
Echelon ASX announcements: https://www.echelonresources.com/news

Source: Echelon Website

The Lawler Labor Government is continuing to take a common sense approach to securing the Territory’s energy future.

Today, the Lawler Labor Government has released the updated Northern Territory Gas Plan – A pathway to 2030 that looks at capitalising on what is expected to be one of the most transformational, five-year periods in NT history.

The Plan focuses on key areas – Economic Growth (work), Energy Security (keeping the lights on) and Environmental Sustainability (emissions reduction). 

Reliable, affordable and cleaner energy is the key focus; and can be done as the Lawler Government keeps public assets in public control. 

Since April 2024, the Lawler Government has signed energy security arrangements with three gas producing companies who are also providing working opportunities in the Territory.  

This updated gas plan outlines the role of the NT Government, with five enablers and objectives. It also includes a clear action plan to achieve these objectives.

1. Partnerships - Forging the relationships required to streamline development
2. Local Workforce and Supply Chains – Building a workforce for the future
3. Planning and Infrastructure – coordinating and planning the delivery of hard and soft infrastructure required for significant industry development
4. Regulation – Maintaining a contemporary regulatory environment that balances effectiveness with efficiency
5. Investment – Facilitating public and private investment to build capacity and capability

Success of the new gas plan will be measured by the growth of a diverse industrial base that increases energy production, decreases emissions and generates sustained local economic growth.

Further planning for industry infrastructure is also underway, with $367 million committed to gas industry road upgrades for the Beetaloo Basin and the Carpentaria Highway. 

To view the plan visit - https://territorygas.nt.gov.au

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom