By Roxanne Fitzgerald

Topic: Environmental Impacts

Sat 1 Aug 2026 at 8:52am

Sat 1 Aug 2026 at 8:53am

A review found Inpex has been underestimating emissions since it started.

In short:

The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority reviewed gas giants Santos and Inpex's environment protection licences.

The review recommends tightening both companies' licences for a world-class regulatory regime.

What's next?

It could take up to 12 months to implement the new licences if both companies agree.

The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority recommended changes to Santos and Inpex's licences.

The report calls for pollution limits and continuous monitoring of emissions.

The review was launched after Inpex under-reported toxic emissions, including benzene.

Santos's Darwin LNG tank will be filled again as part of the Barossa gas project.

In March, consultants found Inpex's emissions calculations and reports were wrong since 2018.

Santos faced scrutiny over its Darwin LNG facility, which had a leaking tank and frequent flaring.

The review follows criticism of the NTEPA's oversight and transparency.

NTEPA chairman Paul Vogel said the regulator has the public's health at heart.

A man handling a methane leak at a Santos gas plant worked with a lobbyist.

Mr Vogel said the current licences are strict, but there's room for improvement.

The facilities are close to Darwin city, so a world-class regulatory regime is needed.

Independent health risk assessments were conducted to assure the community's health is protected.

But there needs to be more transparency around reporting and information from the company.

Regulation is slipshod

Environment Centre NT welcomed the regulator's action but said there are gaps in the recommendations.

The review is an admission that the NT EPA's regulation has been slipshod and needs fixing.

The Northern Territory environment regulator will re-examine gas facilities' licence conditions.

Ms Ahrens said it's concerning that the recommendations don't limit flaring or cap acid gas incinerators.

The review recommends acid gas incinerators be operational 99.5% of the time.

The effectiveness depends on implementation.

The gas industry can't be trusted with air quality and health.

The NTEPA needs to impose strong licence conditions with real consequences.

Other recommendations include expanding pollution limits and regular audits.

Paul Vogel says the NT should have a world-class regulatory regime.

Inpex's incinerators have been out of service for extended periods since 2019.

It could take up to 12 months to implement the new licences.

Inpex is working with the Department of Lands to assess the new requirements.

Santos has been contacted for comment.

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