Groundwater monitoring results
Groundwater is a key environmental value that must be protected during onshore gas exploration and development activities in the Northern Territory.
In accordance with the Code of Practice: Onshore Petroleum Activities in the Northern Territory, at least six months of local baseline groundwater data must be collected prior to drilling or hydraulic fracturing.
The department publishes these results quarterly to increase the transparency of groundwater use and environmental performance by the onshore gas industry.
About the groundwater reports
Each quarter, petroleum interest holders submit groundwater monitoring data, providing transparency on the impact of hydraulic fracturing on groundwater.
Groundwater monitoring data is submitted quarterly by petroleum interest holders in compliance with the Code of Practice: Onshore Petroleum Activities in the Northern Territory.
The results are published on the department's website, with monitoring to continue for three years.
Groundwater reports
| Report name | Description | Relevant approved EMP |
|---|---|---|
| Groundwater monitoring results at Origin Kyalla EP117 well site, Beetaloo Sub-basin: December 2018 to October 2019 PDF (451.1 KB) | This report summarises the results of the Beetaloo Sub-basin groundwater monitoring program to date, which occurred on exploration permit 117 (EP117). The control monitoring bore (CMB) registered water bore numbers for each CMB at Kyalla are:
The data presented in this report fulfils the Code of Practice: Onshore Petroleum Activities in the Northern Territory (the Code) (2019) requirement for six months of baseline monitoring of groundwater at a well site prior to undertaking hydraulic fracturing activities. | Origin Energy Beetaloo Basin Kyalla drilling hydraulic fracture stimulation and well testing program EP117 N2 PDF (7.4 MB) Approval date: 05/08/2019 |
| Groundwater Monitoring results at petroleum well sites in the Betaloo Sub-basin in accordance with the Code of Practice – Quarter 2 2018/19 to Quarter 2 2019/20 PDF (1.3 MB) | This report summarises the results of the groundwater monitoring program on EP161 – Santos McArthur Basin EP161. The groundwater monitoring program consists of:
| Santos QNT Pty Ltd |
| Groundwater monitoring data 2019 PDF (581.6 KB) | This report summarises the results of the Beetaloo groundwater monitoring program to date which occurred on two exploration permits (EP):
The groundwater monitoring program consists of:
| Origin Energy Santos QNT Pty Ltd |
| Amungee HF report PDF (504.8 KB) | This report discusses the water quality monitoring program at Amungee NW 1-H exploration well from 2015 to 2018. The data includes water quality from two sources:
The data in this report is useful to compare 2015 baseline monitoring bore data with subsequent years following hydraulic fracturing activities. The data indicates there are no significant changes in groundwater quality to date. | Origin Energy Resources Ltd |
| Shenandoah HF water quality monitoring data PDF (769.6 KB) | The report discusses the 2011 water quality monitoring results from the Shenandoah-1 Petroleum Well. The data includes water quality from two sources:
Further monitoring will be undertaken at this bore. | No current EMP |
Last updated: 31 January 2020