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Northern Territory shows gas ambition



By Upstream staff 

The arrival in Darwin of the jack-up rig West Atlas is another step toward Australia’s Northern Territory establishing itself as a center for gas exploration, Chief Minister Clare Martin said.

Martin said the arrival of the rig for MEO Australia’s gas field appraisals showed the growing confidence in the Territory’s future as a regional hub for energy supply.

“MEO Australia recently gained approval to commence its drilling campaign in the Timor Sea off Darwin and intends to spend about $100 million between now and Christmas drilling for gas,” Martin said.

“Following drilling for MEO Australia the rig has been contracted for 12 month’s work at Coogee Resource’s Montara oil project west of Darwin.

“And while there are well known oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea, it is likely that many wells of potential commercial viability remain untapped.

Martin said Darwin was seeking to become a leading centre for gas development – which would deliver huge economic flow-on benefits.

“In addition to the production of liquefied natural gas itself, importing, processing and exporting natural gas and associated products kick starts a range of industries that use by products and provide services.

“Earlier this week the Northern Territory Government launched Top End Secret 2: Orestruck, to assist Australian and international companies tap into one of Australia’s last great exploration frontiers.

“The Government remains committed to supporting exploration companies such as MEO Australia to unlock the Northern Territory’s enormous resource potential.”


Friday, 05 October, 2007, 01:26 GMT  | last updated: Friday, 05 October, 2007, 03:16 GMT

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