An analysis of the projected carbon emissions from the Northern Territory’s (NT) proposed Beetaloo Basin gas project, and proposed processing at the Middle Arm gas hub, claims they’ve been underestimated, as have the availability of offsets to deal with them.

The findings made by researchers at Climate Analytics call into question a key claim from the NT government, with federal support, that there would be “no net increase in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions emitted in Australia from any onshore shale gas produced in NT”.

The analysis also calls into question findings in an earlier report from the CSIRO Gas Industry Social & Environment Research Alliance (GISERA), which is nearly a third funded by the gas industry, including submissions to the Senate Middle Arm Inquiry.

Environment Centre NT Executive Director Kirsty Howey said: “It’s well past time to abandon fracking, and the $1.9 billion taxpayer-funded fossil fuel subsidy promised by the Australian government to prop up this dying industry.”

In March this year, Tamboran responded to the Federal Government’s Safeguard Mechanism legislation and the implications for the Beetaloo Basin, saying it supported Tamboran’s existing net zero vision for the basin.

Tamboran Managing Director and CEO Joel Riddle said the gas at the Beetaloo Basin will be net zero from first commercial production, while confirming claims that the legislation will restrict the development are incorrect.

“Tamboran’s progressive Sustainability Plan was and is doing everything already called for in these amendments.

“Tamboran’s low carbon gas and our net zero vision have the capacity to change the energy landscape of Australia.

“It ensures lower energy prices, energy security, and growing jobs and economy of the Northern Territory, while at the same time reducing our national emissions through fast-tracking low carbon gas and encouraging the transition away from coal-fired power.”

In September, Tamboran increased the Beetaloo Basin 2C gas resources by 32 per cent to two trillion cubic feet.

In October, Tamboran also announced its intention to re-domicile the company and its subsidiaries from Australia to the United States, stating it will better position the company in a deeper capital market where shale investors are more active.