PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Northern Territory government’s Primary Industry and Resource Minister Ken Vowles will be visiting the US as part of a government delegation to investigate global shale gas production.
The territory government in April this year announced that it would lift a moratorium on fracking, after an independent inquiry found that risks associated with the practice could be mitigated.
“We promised an independent scientific inquiry into hydraulic fracturing, and that inquiry showed that if all its 135 recommendations are implemented, the risk from hydraulic fracturing can be reduced to an acceptable level,” Vowles said.
“We have accepted all 135 recommendations, which means no hydraulic fracturing will take place until strict new laws and regulations are in place.”
The Minister noted that the US was the centre of the world’s shale gas industry and the home of most of the sector’s exploration, production and technical innovation.
“Governments in the US states of Pennsylvania and Texas have significant regulatory experience when it comes to the exploration, development and production of unconventional gas resources.
“We will gain insight into the world’s best practice, and visit some of the most well-regulated sites in the industry.
“The emphasis will be on observing and learning from their experience in implementing regulatory measures to ensure that in the territory the industry meets the highest standards of environmental protection,” he said.