Inspecting Hydrocarbon Facilities Across the Top End to Ensure Environmental Compliance
In the Northern Territory (NT), hydrocarbon processing and storage facilities operate under Environment Protection Licences (EPLs) issued under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998 and Environmental Approvals (EAs) issued under the Environment Protection Act 2019.
The EPLs and EAs contain targeted, facility-specific licence conditions designed to safeguard the environment. These licences are administered by the Environmental Regulation division of the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment (DLPE).
Four companies currently hold an EPL or EA to operate a hydrocarbon facility in the NT:
- Eni Australia B.V. (for the Blacktip facility in Wadeye)
- Ichthys LNG Pty Ltd (for the INPEX facility)
- Santos NA Darwin Pipeline Pty Ltd (for the Darwin LNG facility)
- Crowley Australia Pty Ltd (for the fuel storage facility at East Arm).
Hydrocarbon facilities were a priority of the 2024–25 Compliance Plan. PDF (286.3 KB) The compliance plan set out that all hydrocarbon facilities across the Top End would be inspected to ensure compliance with their EPL or EA. During inspections, environmental officers verify that EPL or EA conditions are being met and that environmental risks are being proactively managed. The inspections complement other regulatory activities, including reviewing environmental monitoring reports and audit reports required under the EPLs or EAs.
The 2024-2025 inspections and compliance assessments confirmed high levels of compliance at all facilities. Officers verified that:
- Discharge and emissions infrastructure was in place and maintained
- Environmental monitoring was being completed as required
- Waste storage and transport protocols were being effectively implemented
- Community consultation and feedback processes were in place
- Infrastructure maintenance aimed at minimising environmental impacts was being completed.
Beyond compliance checks, the inspections provided officers with firsthand insight into daily operational activities at each facility, including infrastructure systems, operational processes and on-site environmental controls. This knowledge informs our regulatory strategy by helping us identify potential compliance issues, opportunities for improved environmental management and enabling more consistent, transparent and targeted compliance efforts.
The on-ground efforts of our environment officers are instrumental in fulfilling compliance plan commitments and fostering strong engagement with industry stakeholders, all in support of a strong economy and a healthy environment that benefits every Territorian.
