Petroleum greenhouse gas emissions management

The Northern Territory Government (NTG) established an independent Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing of Onshore Unconventional Reservoirs in the Northern Territory (NT) in 2016.

The Final Report

The Final Report of the inquiry was released in March 2018.

It made 135 recommendations to mitigate to acceptable levels identified risks associated with any onshore shale gas development in the NT.

In April 2018, after carefully considering the Final Report, the NTG determined that hydraulic fracturing of onshore unconventional shale gas reservoirs may proceed in the NT under strict conditions and in tightly prescribed areas.

Implementing all of the recommendations

The NTG has committed to implementing all of the recommendations of the inquiry prior to the consideration of production approvals.

The NTG has also:

• adopted a development goal of a $40 billion economy by 2030 and
• committed to decarbonising the economy to achieve a target of net zero emissions by 2050.

It is also committed to a target of 50% renewable energy from grid connected installations by 2030.

These commitments frame the NT’s approach to growing and decarbonising the economy and implementing the recommendations of the inquiry.

Policy statement

The NTG has prepared a policy statement to clarify its expectations for the management of greenhouse gas emissions from the onshore gas industry and the delivery of recommendation 9.8.

Read the Policy Statement: Management of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Onshore Gas Industry PDF (144.6 KB).

The large emitters policy continues to apply to the industry when seeking approvals for exploration, including appraisal, activities. Read the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management for New and Expanding Large Emitters Policy PDF (207.6 KB).

For more information

To find out more about the NTG's response to the inquiry, go to the Hydraulic Fracturing website.