The Finocchiaro CLP Government welcomes the growing petroleum investment and exploration activity in the Northern Territory's gas sector, as a vote of confidence in the Territory's attractive regulatory environment and world-class natural resources.
This week, Echelon Resources announced it had completed the acquisition of 100% interest and ownership of petroleum Exploration Permit (EP) 145, located in the Amadeus Basin in Central Australia.
Minister for Mining and Energy Gerard Maley said the CLP Government's year of action, certainty, and security is being realised, with strong momentum in the energy sector.
"Acquisitions like this show that industry has real confidence in the Northern Territory and the clear, consistent approach the CLP Government is delivering," said Mr Maley.
"We're providing the certainty investors and proponents need to back projects that create jobs, grow the economy, and bring real benefits to communities across the Territory."
Echelon Resources, an agile Australasian-focused energy exploration and production company based in Wellington, New Zealand, acquired EP145 from London Stock Exchange-listed Mosman Oil & Gas.
Echelon is already a key partner in the Territory's gas-producing Mereenie, Palm Valley, and Dingo fields, which underpin the local gas industry.
Situated near the Mereenie gas field, EP145 presents significant potential for new resource exploration and development, benefiting from proximity to existing infrastructure.
Echelon Resources has also announced that in 2026 it will acquire a geophysical survey over part of EP145, in the form of a 3-dimensional or 3D seismic survey.
These surveys allow explorers to visualise the subsurface in three dimensions, making it easier to target and model potential accumulations of gas compared to conventional 2D seismic surveys.
Echelon's intent is to tie any such gas resources into nearby existing infrastructure and supply it to the Northern Territory gas market as soon as possible.
This 3D survey will be the largest acquired to date in the Amadeus Basin, which has been producing gas consistently since the 1980's.
"I look forward to seeing the outcomes of Echelon's exploration efforts and wish them success as they continue to build on the Territory's status as a leading energy hub in Central Australia," said Minister Maley.
