💥 Fracking Failures & Hidden Breaches: Is the NT Government Giving Gas Companies Free Rein?
Aug 4
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A major environmental breach in the Beetaloo Basin has come to light — years after it happened — sparking claims that gas companies in the Northern Territory are being allowed to operate with little accountability. Imperial Oil and Gas, a subsidiary of Empire Energy, failed to follow environmental safety protocols while drilling through two aquifers. And it seems the NT government knew — but chose not to act.
🛢️ What Went Wrong at Carpentaria 3H?
In 2022, while drilling its Carpentaria 3H well, Imperial failed to isolate two underground aquifers — Anthony Lagoon and Gum Ridge — as required by its Environment Management Plan (EMP). This critical step is designed to prevent contamination between aquifers, which can cause salinity spikes, chemical pollution, and irreversible harm to natural ecosystems and water sources.
Despite this failure, the NT Department of Land, Planning and Environment (DLPE) only acknowledged the breach after questioning from Greens MLC Kat McNamara, prompted by media reports earlier this year.
🧾 Cover-Up Allegations Emerge
Initially, the DLPE claimed "there was no incident" — but later admitted the company breached its EMP. Even more troubling, DLPE recommended prosecution, but then-Environment Minister Kate Worden declined. The case was passed to the Department of Mines and Energy, which also chose not to take action.
A 34-page government briefing on the breach exists, but a Freedom of Information request to release it was denied, citing “deliberative matter” — sparking accusations of a deliberate cover-up.
🌊 What Are the Risks?
When aquifers aren’t properly sealed during drilling, it can compromise groundwater integrity, allowing saltwater or pollutants to seep into freshwater supplies. These aquifers often feed surface water systems, meaning the damage could extend to rivers, wetlands, and the communities that depend on them.
Environmental advocate Hannah Ekin from the Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) says:
“This shows what people have been saying for a decade: you cannot trust this industry to not cause damage to aquifers.”
She criticised the government's lack of transparency, noting the breach only came to public attention three years later — after four more wells were drilled and thousands more are planned.
🚨 “No Accountability” as Rules Ignored
Ekin warns that the lack of prosecution sends a clear message: fracking companies can violate environmental rules without consequences.
“If nothing happens when companies fail to meet these standards, fracking companies are effectively being given free rein to do as they wish.”
Making matters worse, after coming to power, the Country Liberal Party cut funding to both ALEC and the NT Environment Centre — effectively silencing two key environmental watchdogs.
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