Approval granted to Santos' Darwin Pipeline Duplication Project

Following assessment, the independent Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) has given environmental approval to the development of Santos’ Darwin Pipeline Duplication Project. 

Under the Environment Protection Act 2019, an environmental impact assessment and separate environmental approval are required for all projects that could significantly impact the environment. 

Santos is currently developing the Barossa Gas Export Pipeline that will bring gas from the Barossa reservoir in the Timor Sea to Darwin. The Darwin Pipeline Duplication Project, which was assessed by the NT EPA, is the section of the pipeline in Northern Territory waters. 

The granted environmental approval includes conditions that will ensure any potential environmental impacts are managed to an acceptable level. 

“The Santos Darwin Pipeline Duplication Project has been through a rigorous environmental assessment by the NT EPA. I have applied the NT EPA’s recommended conditions and granted the environmental approval. 

“The Territory Government has supported this project from the beginning. Gas will play a critical role in supporting our transition to renewables, ensuring ongoing energy security for Territorians as we head towards net zero,” Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Kate Worden said. 

Project map (source: Santos)

The project will duplicate a section of the existing Bayu-Undan pipeline, and the NT EPA has considered its potential impacts including on the marine environment, culture and heritage as well as from greenhouse gas emissions. 

The existing Bayu-Undan pipeline, on the other hand, is proposed to be retained to provide Santos with the option to repurpose it and use it to transport CO2 to the depleted Bayu-Undan reservoir for sequestration. 

Santos’ Barossa Gas Project is worth $6.4 billion to the Territory economy, and it will provide a significant employment boost through the creation of 600 local jobs during construction and hundreds more over the next 20 years. 

“The Northern Territory is in a strong position to become a global leader in low-emissions energy export. 

“Our Government congratulates Santos on the Federal court ruling and for being granted NT EPA approval, we look forward to seeing this project and industry as a whole progress. 

“The $6 billion Barossa Gas Project is significant for the Territory’s economy and secures hundreds of local jobs for the next two decades, all while being pivotal in the world’s transition to a cleaner, greener future,” Minister for Mining Mark Monaghan said. 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Investment Territory; Northern Territory Government – Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security; Santos; The Australian Pipeliner