Australian Energy Producers welcomes the Northern Territory Government’s passage of legislation to reduce red tape and improve regulatory certainty for gas, oil and carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, describing it as an important step to strengthen the Territory’s competitiveness and long-term energy security.
Northern Territory Director Ryan Neve said the passage of the Pipelines and Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 yesterday delivered practical steps to modernise the Territory’s petroleum and pipeline framework to support investment in new oil, gas and CCS projects.
“These practical and timely reforms send a strong signal that the Northern Territory is serious about remaining globally competitive and investment-ready for essential energy projects,” Mr Neve said.
“Importantly, the reforms recognise the evolving role of energy infrastructure by allowing carbon dioxide and hydrogen to be transported through licensed pipelines, providing more certainty for CCS projects in the Territory to move forward and unlock the next wave of energy, infrastructure and industrial investment.”
Mr Neve said amendments allowing petroleum permits to be divided or amalgamated would provide greater flexibility for projects to align with commercial and technical realities.
“Resource developments do not always fit neatly within existing permit boundaries, so these changes will support better project planning, more efficient development and stronger investment conditions in the Territory,” he said.
“The Territory is ideally placed to become one of Australia’s most significant energy investment destinations, with the Beetaloo Sub-basin, proximity to growing LNG markets, CCS opportunities and major infrastructure developments.
“Industry commends the Territory Government for continuing to deliver better policy settings to encourage investment and faster delivery of new gas, oil and CCS projects critical to the Territory’s economic growth and long-term energy security,” Mr Neve said.