Empire Energy Group Ltd (ASX:EEG, OTC:EEGUF) has secured all environmental approvals for the Carpentaria Pilot Project, after the Northern Territory Government gave its stamp of approval to the company’s Environment Management Plan (EMP).
The EMP includes provisions for up to nine new wells, the installation of the Carpentaria Gas Plant, and above-ground processing facilities with access to the McArthur River Pipeline for export of gas to markets.
The only remaining barrier to beginning gas sales from the project is the final regulatory approval under the Beneficial Use of Test Gas provisions of the NT Petroleum Act – EEG says the stakeholder consultation process is well advanced.
Advancing final approvals to sale
"The Empire team continues to progress towards pilot production from the Beetaloo Basin, which will provide much needed gas supply for the people of the Northern Territory under the gas sales agreement Empire signed with the NT Government earlier this year,” Empire Energy managing director Alex Underwood said.
“This regulatory approval aligns with the NT government’s support for Empire and the development of the broader Beetaloo Basin, which is expected to create thousands of jobs, put downward pressure on energy prices across the NT and Eastern Australia, and has the potential to drive a resurgence of manufacturing in the Northern Territory.
“The Empire team is progressing the final remaining approvals required to sell gas produced from the Carpentaria Pilot Project under the NT Petroleum Act’s Beneficial Use of Test Gas provisions.”
Empire will begin drilling the Carpentaria-5H well imminently, with the Ensign Rig #965 already on location.