Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt has notified the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory that he intends to continue to operate the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program. 

The Environment Centre of the Northern Territory lodged an application to the Federal Court on 28 July 2021 to have the drilling program and associated grant decisions set aside. The matter is currently progressing through Federal Court processes.

Minister Pitt said the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program is a key measure under the Beetaloo Strategic Basin Plan and is crucial to the Government’s Gas Fired Recovery agenda. 

Minister Pitt said “I have requested my Department to proceed with the grant to Imperial Oil and Gas that I announced on 7 July 2021”. 

“It is important that we continue to get on with the job. This project, along with other activity in the Beetaloo Basin, has the potential to create over 6,000 jobs and make a significant contribution to secure Australia’s affordable and reliable energy supplies.

“I have also instructed my department to continue with the assessment of other applications to the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt's office 02 6277 7180