Industry estimates suggest that the flagship Beetaloo Sub-basin alone could hold about 500 trillion cubic feet of gas - more than three times the annual global consumption.
PHOTO: EMPIRE ENERGY GROUP
SYDNEY – Scientists warned about the potential climate impact of shale gas production in Australia’s Northern Territory as the region – which had previously banned fracking – confirmed it will allow developers to seek approvals for projects.
The territory aims to exploit a sub-basin estimated to hold about 100 times Australia’s existing natural gas production after implementing a series of recommendations made when it lifted curbs on hydraulic fracturing in 2018.
“Our highly prospective onshore gas resources will support our energy security during the transition to renewables – and will improve living standards for all Territorians,” the region’s Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said in a statement.
Development of onshore gas projects in the region – twice the size of Texas and with a population of less than 250,000 – has been a hugely contentious issue in Australia for years, pitting climate campaigners against resources companies that argue new local production is required to meet domestic energy demand.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s national government, which took office last year, has legislated more stringent emissions reduction targets, though it also backs the role of gas in the nation’s energy mix, vowing to protect consumers from supply shortfalls.
Industry estimates suggest that the flagship Beetaloo Sub-basin alone could hold about 500 trillion cubic feet of gas, according to the Northern Territory government – more than three times the annual global consumption and a quarter more than all proved United States shale gas reserves. It is part of an even larger basin called McArthur.
Development of Beetaloo would generate as much as an additional 89 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, a group of almost 100 opponents said on Wednesday in a letter to the region’s government published in local newspapers.
Australia’s 2022 emissions were about 490 million tonnes, the national government said in a preliminary estimate.
“Opening up new fossil fuel extraction projects of this scale is at odds with the government’s plan for net zero by 2050,” said Mr Matthew England, a professor at the University of New South Wales Climate Change Research Centre, and a signatory of the letter.
The Northern Territory’s plan includes a commitment to aim to ensure Australia’s emissions do not increase as a result of new onshore gas production, according to the region’s government.
Origin Energy last year sold its interest in a Beetaloo venture under a plan to prioritise clean energy. Gas producer Santos is continuing to progress potential developments in the McArthur Basin.
SYDNEY – Scientists warned about the potential climate impact of shale gas production in Australia’s Northern Territory as the region – which had previously banned fracking – confirmed it will allow developers to seek approvals for projects.
The territory aims to exploit a sub-basin estimated to hold about 100 times Australia’s existing natural gas production after implementing a series of recommendations made when it lifted curbs on hydraulic fracturing in 2018.
“Our highly prospective onshore gas resources will support our energy security during the transition to renewables – and will improve living standards for all Territorians,” the region’s Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said in a statement.
Development of onshore gas projects in the region – twice the size of Texas and with a population of less than 250,000 – has been a hugely contentious issue in Australia for years, pitting climate campaigners against resources companies that argue new local production is required to meet domestic energy demand.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s national government, which took office last year, has legislated more stringent emissions reduction targets, though it also backs the role of gas in the nation’s energy mix, vowing to protect consumers from supply shortfalls.
Industry estimates suggest that the flagship Beetaloo Sub-basin alone could hold about 500 trillion cubic feet of gas, according to the Northern Territory government – more than three times the annual global consumption and a quarter more than all proved United States shale gas reserves. It is part of an even larger basin called McArthur.
Development of Beetaloo would generate as much as an additional 89 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, a group of almost 100 opponents said on Wednesday in a letter to the region’s government published in local newspapers.
Australia’s 2022 emissions were about 490 million tonnes, the national government said in a preliminary estimate.
“Opening up new fossil fuel extraction projects of this scale is at odds with the government’s plan for net zero by 2050,” said Mr Matthew England, a professor at the University of New South Wales Climate Change Research Centre, and a signatory of the letter.
The Northern Territory’s plan includes a commitment to aim to ensure Australia’s emissions do not increase as a result of new onshore gas production, according to the region’s government.
Origin Energy last year sold its interest in a Beetaloo venture under a plan to prioritise clean energy. Gas producer Santos is continuing to progress potential developments in the McArthur Basin.
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