The Finocchiaro CLP Government has passed major legislative reforms to strengthen domestic energy security, drive economic growth and support long-term investment in the Northern Territory.
The Pipelines and Petroleum Legislation Amendment (Industry Development) Bill 2026 will accelerate development in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.
The reforms will reduce red tape, improve regulatory certainty, strengthen compliance powers, and ensure the Northern Territory remains globally competitive and investment ready.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has today passed legislative reforms that will strengthen domestic energy security, support economic diversification, and position the Northern Territory as a globally competitive destination for long-term investment.
The passage of the Pipelines and Petroleum Legislation Amendment (Industry Development) Bill 2026 delivers important amendments to the Energy Pipelines Act 1981, the Petroleum Act 1984 and the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1981 to support and facilitate gas industry development across the Territory.
The amendments will enable the transmission of carbon dioxide and other regulated substances through all licensed pipelines.
This will allow transmission pipelines to carry substances including carbon dioxide and is critical to current offshore CCS projects being pursued by Santos, INPEX and Vopak through developments at Middle Arm.
Minister for Mining and Energy Gerard Maley said the legislation was about ensuring the Territory remains competitive, investment-ready, and capable of delivering long-term economic growth.
"If we want to strengthen domestic and regional energy security and drive economic development, we must stay globally competitive and continue to build investor confidence in the Territory," Mr Maley said.
"These are important changes aimed at attracting investment as well as accelerating and diversifying development of the Territory's world class shale gas play - the Beetaloo Sub-basin."
"These changes will enable 'checkerboarding' ownership of petroleum tenure and provide for an increased pace of development for the Beetaloo."
In the longer term, the changes will support the transition of the Territory's pipeline infrastructure from carrying Territory gas alone to also transporting low emission gases and industrial feedstocks including carbon dioxide.
The Bill makes important changes to modernise the Petroleum Act and support transition from exploration to production. The changes update retention licence application processes to encourage investment and support expedited shale gas development, as well as introducing more flexible arrangements for managing retention licences.
In addition, the legislation strengthens the Northern Territory's ability to regulate licensed pipelines through expanded compliance and enforcement measures.
"To rebuild and grow the Territory's economy, the NT must stay competitive by anticipating change and responding with timely, fit-for-purpose legislation," Mr Maley said.
"Collectively these amendments will reduce red tape, modernise the Territory's regulatory environment, provide certainty for investors, and improve the way we do business to increase the Territory's competitiveness."
