Territory Stories

Scientific inquiry into hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory

Details:

Title

Scientific inquiry into hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory

Other title

Scientific inquiry into hydraulic fracturing of unconventional reservoirs in the Northern Territory; Interim report into hydraulic fracturing; Final Report: Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing; Final Report Appendices: Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing; Draft Final Report : Scientific inquiry into hydraulic fracturing; Draft Final Report Appendices : Scientific inquiry into hydraulic fracturing; Summary of Draft Final Report : Scientific inquiry into hydraulic fracturing; Background and issues paper; Fracking implementation plan; Fracking implementation plan Parts 2 - Recommendations

Collection

E-Publications; E-Books; PublicationNT

Date

2017-07-01

Description

The report sets out the work undertaken by the Inquiry to date in assessing the impacts and risks associated with any potential onshore unconventional shale gas development in the Northern Territory. The report explains the method by which the Inquiry proposes to gather and then assess the evidence relevant to the issues that have been identified and discussed with the public. Where appropriate, the Interim Report makes some preliminary assessments about the likelihood of some of those risks eventuating as well as the methods to mitigate the risks. Finally, the report de4scribes the future work of the Inquiry that will be undertaken prior to the release of its draft Final Report by the end of the year.; Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).

Notes

The Inquiry is Chaired by Justice Rachel Pepper. The panel comprises 10 eminent scientists across a range of disciplines. Includes bibliographical references : pages 161-170. Publication spans 2017-2018; Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).

Table of contents

Executive summary -- Purpose of the Inquiry -- Work of the Inquiry to date -- Evidence and risk assessment methodology -- Summary of discussions at community forums and the revised list of issues -- Shale gas development and management -- Shale gas in Australia and the Northern Territory -- Water -- Land -- Greenhouse gas emissions -- Public health -- Aboriginal people and their culture -- Social impacts -- Economic impacts -- Regulatory reform -- Future work of the Inquiry -- Appendices 1-14

Language

English

Subject

Gas wells -- Hydraulic fracturing; Coalbed methane -- Environmental aspects -- Northern Territory; Coalbed methane -- Economic aspects -- Northern Territory; Shale gas

Publisher name

Hydraulic Fracturing Inquiry; Northern Territory Government

Place of publication

Darwin

Format

10 volumes : colour illustrations, colour maps ; 30 cm.

File type

application/pdf.

ISBN

9780648127604

Copyright owner

Check within Publication or with content Publisher.

Related links

frackinginquiry.nt.gov.au

Parent handle

https://hdl.handle.net/10070/267188

Citation address

https://hdl.handle.net/10070/444289

Related items

https://hdl.handle.net/10070/444277; https://hdl.handle.net/10070/444275; https://hdl.handle.net/10070/444278; https://hdl.handle.net/10070/444280; https://hdl.handle.net/10070/444282; https://hdl.handle.net/10070/444284; https://hdl.handle.net/10070/444287; https://hdl.handle.net/10070/444290; https://hdl.handle.net/10070/444291

Page content

BACKGROUND AND ISSUES PAPER 20 February 2017 3 1. Establishment of the Inquiry On 14 September 2016 the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, the Hon Michael Gunner MLA, announced a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) of onshore unconventional shale reservoirs in the Northern Territory. The Chief Minister also announced that he would appoint an independent scientific panel (the Panel) to inquire into the environmental impacts and risks associated with hydraulic fracturing (the Inquiry). The moratorium will stay in place for the duration of the Inquiry. On 3 December 2016 the Northern Territory Government announced the final Terms of Reference for the Inquiry and the composition of the Panel. The Terms of Reference are set out in Attachment A. The Terms of Reference require the Panel to determine the nature and extent of the risks of hydraulic fracturing of onshore unconventional shale reservoirs and its associated activities on water, land and air conditions in the Northern Territory. The Panel must also determine the nature and extent of the risks of the unconventional shale gas industry on social, economic and cultural conditions in the Northern Territory. Once the risks are identified, the Panel must determine whether or not those risks can be reduced to acceptable levels and, if so, what the government and industry can do to ensure those levels are achieved. The Panel comprises ten scientific experts and is chaired by Justice Rachel Pepper of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales. Biographies of the Panel members are available on the Inquirys website. The Panel will provide a report to the government at the completion of the Inquiry. 2. Purpose of this Paper The purpose of this Paper is to facilitate a discussion between the Panel and Territorians about the Terms of Reference by identifying the potential risks of the hydraulic fracturing of onshore unconventional shale reservoirs and its associated activities in the Northern Territory. In this Paper, when identifying risks, the Panel is referring to the issues concerning the hydraulic fracturing of unconventional onshore shale reservoirs in the Northern Territory. Sections 3 and 4 of this Paper provide information about hydraulic fracturing, including the differences between conventional gas and unconventional gas, coal seam gas and shale gas, and the location of prospective shale gas reservoirs in the Northern Territory. Section 5 gives an overview of prior reports that have been produced in relation to hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory. Section 6 gives an overview of the framework that relevantly regulates hydraulic fracturing and the petroleum industry in the Northern Territory. Section 7 lists the potential risks, or issues, associated with hydraulic fracturing for onshore shale gas in the Northern Territory. Section 8 provides information on ways that Territorians can meet the panel and provide feedback on this Paper, including at hearings and community meetings that will be held across the Northern Territory in March 2017. Sections 9 and 10 provide a timeline for the activities of the Inquiry and the Inquirys contact details.