News Brief: NT EPA Orders Review of Gas Facility Licences
Summary
The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) has ordered a review of licence conditions for major Darwin gas facilities operated by Inpex and Santos. This follows Inpex’s admission of major errors in under-reporting emissions, including a massive spike in the carcinogen benzene. An independent health risk assessment is underway.
Key Points
- Trigger: Inpex admitted to drastically under-reporting emissions for 2023-24, including a 13,000% increase in benzene levels. High levels continued into 2024-25.
- Regulatory Action: NT EPA, with the Chief Health Officer, ordered a licence condition review for Inpex’s Ichthys and Santos’s Darwin LNG facilities to address human health risks.
- Company Stance: Inpex maintains emissions were within guidelines and pose no health risk. Santos declined to comment.
- Expert Opinion: Professor Melissa Haswell calls the review a “positive step” but stresses the need for a comprehensive, modern, and independent follow-up to rebuild community trust.
- Next Steps: An independent human health risk assessment, commissioned by the Chief Health Officer, is due for completion in the New Year.
新闻简报：北领地环保局下令审查天然气设施许可证
摘要
北领地环境保护局（NT EPA）已下令对Inpex和Santos运营的达尔文主要天然气设施的许可证条件进行审查。此前，Inpex承认其在排放报告上存在重大错误，包括致癌物苯的排放量急剧飙升。一项独立的健康风险评估正在进行中。
关键点
- 事件起因： Inpex承认其在2023-24年度的排放报告存在严重低估，其中苯含量激增13,000%。高含量持续到2024-25年度。
- 监管行动： 北领地环保局与首席卫生官联合下令，审查Inpex的Ichthys设施和Santos的Darwin LNG设施的许可证条件，以解决其对人类健康构成的风险。
- 公司立场： Inpex坚称排放符合标准，不构成健康风险。Santos拒绝置评。
- 专家观点： Melissa Haswell教授称此次审查是”积极一步”，但强调需要进行全面、现代且独立的后续行动，以重建社区信任。
- 后续步骤： 由首席卫生官委托的独立人体健康风险评估预计将在新年完成。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-30/nt-epa-santos-inpex-licence-review-emissions-error/106185488