Santos’ Darwin LNG facility has been leaking methane since 2006, but the public was never notified of the leak, raising allegations of gas industry cover-ups and regulatory failures, documents obtained by the Environment Centre NT show, with two NT politicians calling for immediate action to address the failures.
In 2019, an investigation conducted by then-operator ConocoPhillips revealed a design flaw in the LNG tank, that led to a significant methane leak, which could now continue for decades. NT regulators learned of the leak in 2020, shortly after approving the facility’s operation extension until 2050, but argued with the company about who should tell the public about the leak.
We don’t need debates . . . We need accountability.
Is this the same ECNT that lied and made up stories about a underwater sea dragon near the tiwi islands.
“All regulatory approvals are in place” they say. But that was before anybody knew about the leak!!!
C’mon Selena, don’t leave it to Kat and Justine. You know Lia won’t do anything.
How can independent staff that don’t exist write?
this story does not reflect well on the regulators, who we’re all relying on to manage fracking risks.
How disgusting. I always thought the air quality here was bad, and know I know why. My son always cough consistently here and it goes away when we go on holiday. The Doctor said he didn’t know why, but his daughter had the same issue. We need a class action law suit.
Methane also forms ozone. Both are also implicated in poorer health outcomes. How much are the residents of Blain and Spiller inhaling? What are the impacts on their health? Are their MLAs asking the questions on behalf of their constituents?