Gas giant prosecuted after under-reporting toxic emissions

Japanese energy giant Inpex faces prosecution in Australia's Northern Territory for allegedly under-reporting toxic emissions from its Ichthys LNG facility on Darwin Harbour. The NT Environment Protection Authority (EPA) initiated legal action after Inpex revealed it had significantly underestimated the release of benzene and toluene between 2019 and 2024.

The NT EPA stated that this alleged under-reporting constitutes a breach of Inpex's environmental license to operate. The license requires the company to annually report its total air emissions in tonnes. In October 2025, Inpex informed the regulator of the substantial discrepancies, prompting the current prosecution.

Following Inpex's disclosure, the NT EPA reviewed and recommended changes to the environmental licenses of Darwin's two major gas processing companies, Santos and Inpex. The regulator has declined further comment as the matter is now before the courts, with proceedings expected in Darwin Local Court, though a date is yet to be set. Inpex has been contacted for comment.