On 15 October 2025, the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) was alerted to an error in how pollutant emissions from the Ichthys Liquefied Natural Gas facility (ILNG) in Darwin were calculated and reported.
The facility, operated by Ichthys LNG Pty Ltd, is required by Environment Protection Licence (EPL) 228-05 to monitor and report its emissions accurately to the NT EPA.
Following the revelation, the NT EPA board launched an immediate investigation to assess any associated risks and decide whether regulatory measures are necessary.
The authority is collaborating closely with the Northern Territory Chief Health Officer as part of the inquiry.
The Department of Land, Planning and Environment (DLPE) has also requested Ichthys LNG Pty Ltd to provide detailed information regarding the potential impact of these emissions.
The NT EPA board convened with representatives from Ichthys LNG last week to gain further insights into the issue.
According to recent disclosures, the operator acknowledged errors in emissions calculation for the 2023-2024 financial year but maintains ongoing air quality monitoring in Darwin shows pollutant levels remain well within government guidelines.
The company asserts these errors do not pose an increased health risk to the local community, workforce, or environment.
Despite this assurance, the NT EPA has not ruled out further regulatory actions pending the investigation’s outcome.
The board’s engagement with Ichthys LNG aims to clarify the full extent of the emissions and ensure compliance with environmental standards, reinforcing the Territory’s commitment to environmental protection and public health oversight.
This development comes amid broader scrutiny of emissions reporting and environmental oversight of LNG facilities in the Northern Territory, underlining the importance of transparency and rigorous monitoring in industrial operations.
