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🇦🇺 Australia /Energy & Infrastructure

Energy stability or a “climate bomb”? The battle over Beetaloo gas

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Ongoing story
  • Tamboran Resources has begun producing pilot gas from the Beetaloo Sub-Basin, with the gas entering the Northern Territory grid eight years after a fracking moratorium ended.
  • The Northern Territory government presents the project as a source of energy security, stable prices and private investment, while Jemena plans to seek approval for a 400-kilometre pipeline.
  • Environmental groups and left-wing politicians strongly oppose the development and are scrutinising its promised economic benefits.

Tamboran Resources has begun sending fracked gas from the Beetaloo Sub-Basin into the Northern Territory energy grid, marking a milestone the company and the territory government have celebrated after years of development.

Todd Abbott, Tamboran’s managing director, praised the Northern Territory government as “the most supportive government I’ve ever worked under,” including in comparison with Texas. He said the government had supported the project to the point where it could begin producing appraisal, or pilot, gas for homes and businesses.

the most supportive government I’ve ever worked under

· Todd AbbottTamboran Resources’ managing director praised the Northern Territory government’s support for the Beetaloo project.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has presented Beetaloo as a turning point for the territory’s economy and energy system. At the site, about 600 kilometres southeast of Darwin, she said her government had “stared down the hypocrites” and promised “certainty, stability and affordability above all else.”

stared down the hypocrites

· Lia FinocchiaroThe Northern Territory chief minister described her government’s approach to bringing Beetaloo gas online.

The government is facing about A$12 billion in net debt and serves a population of roughly 250,000. Cabinet members have welcomed the prospect of private investment and a more stable energy grid. The territory has relied on emergency gas supplies for years to cover a shortfall.

The project’s start coincided with Northern Territory Resources Week in Darwin, where other companies outlined plans linked to the reservoir. Energy infrastructure company Jemena said it would apply for a permit to build a 400-kilometre pipeline connecting existing infrastructure directly to Beetaloo. Managing director David Gillespie said the gas could become “a really important and significant part of the overall energy solutions for the country.”

certainty, stability and affordability above all else

· Lia FinocchiaroShe described the benefits she said the project would provide.

Environmental groups and left-wing politicians have condemned the development, exposing the deep divisions surrounding fracking in Australia. The project’s supporters describe it as an answer to energy insecurity and a possible economic game changer. Its opponents are challenging those claims and warning about its environmental impact.

a really important and significant part of the overall energy solutions for the country

· David GillespieJemena’s managing director assessed the potential national role of Beetaloo gas.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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