Origin welcomes today’s decision by the Northern Territory Government to lift the moratorium on fracking.
Origin Executive General Manager Integrated Gas, Mark Schubert said, "Following the very thorough and detailed independent scientific inquiry, we are pleased that a sensible and fact-based decision has been made that will allow appropriately regulated activity to resume.
"Well testing completed just prior to the moratorium indicated there was a very promising, material gas resource in the Beetaloo sub-basin.
"We now plan to resume work as soon as practical, adopting the recommendations of the Scientific Inquiry and gaining the necessary approvals to complete our remaining exploration and appraisal commitments.
"We look forward to working with government, pastoralists, Traditional Owners and the community to deliver the benefits that will come from responsibly developing the Territory’s onshore natural gas resources," Mr Schubert said.
The decision allowing exploration to proceed follows a 15-month independent scientific inquiry that found the risks identified with fracking could be mitigated or reduced to an acceptable level, and in some cases eliminated.
"We share the Inquiry’s view that with the right controls in place, the environment and groundwater will be protected, and the gas industry as well as the pastoral and tourism industries, can contribute significantly to the Northern Territory’s future prosperity," Mr Schubert added.
Origin plans to drill and fracture stimulate a further five wells to complete existing exploration permit commitments put in place prior to the moratorium being introduced in September 2016.
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Chris Zipf
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