Action item 9.3

Progress

100%

Complete.
Approved by decision makers.
Recommendation implemented.

That baseline monitoring of methane concentrations be undertaken for at least six months prior to the grant of any further exploration approvals. In areas where hydraulic fracturing has already occurred, the baseline monitoring should be undertaken at least a year prior to the grant of any production approvals.

Target completion date

Completed.

Reform area
Safeguarding water and the environment
Project action
Collecting baseline data and informing regional management
Lead agency
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Action item update

Implementation

Measurement of regional baseline methane concentrations in the Beetaloo Sub-basin was commenced by CSIRO in July 2018, and concluded in March 2019. CSIRO has released 3 publicly available reports of the initial surveys for naturally occurring methane monitoring it has conducted.

The Northern Territory Government worked with independent scientific experts to develop the Code of Practice for Onshore Petroleum Activities in the Northern Territory (the Code) relative to the Inquiry recommendation. The Code is legally enforceable through the Petroleum (Environment) Regulations 2016. The finalised Code was published on 12 June 2019 and is on the DEPWS website.

The Code contains requirements for baseline and ongoing methane monitoring.