Overview
INPEX Operations Australia Pty Ltd (INPEX) proposal is for stage 1 of development of a carbon dioxide (CO2) compression and export system at Bladin Point in the Greater Darwin area. Works proposed in stage 1 include site-preparation, construction (including civil works, piling, drainage installation), and installation, pre-commissioning and cold commissioning of:
- modularised equipment to upgrade the 2 existing acid gas removal units (AGRUs)
- CO2 compressor modules (including auxiliary vents)
- an in-plant section of CO2 export pipeline, export metering, and pipeline inspection gauge launcher
- a modular building with combined electrical and control equipment to power and control the new facilities
- a common dehydration module
- a water treatment system/s, including water tanks, to treat and re-use water recovered from the CO2 stream
- supplementary power infrastructure (i.e. a small battery energy storage system, electrical power distribution system and cabling).
Once cold commissioning has been performed, the new CO2 compression and export system equipment and infrastructure would remain in place, preserved until such time it could be connected to future offsite carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure.
Stakeholders will be able to participate in the assessment process by providing comments on either (i) each of the proposals individually, or (ii) via a single submission addressing all three proposals.
Figure 1: INPEX associated carbon capture and storage proposals
Expanded figure 1 - INPEX associated carbon capture and storage proposals PDF (641.5 KB)
Note: the Bonaparte Carbon Capture and Storage Project assessment under the Environment Protection Act extends to the NT coastal waters limit.
Why we are consulting
Your feedback plays an important role and will be considered by the NT EPA in deciding whether the proposed action requires environmental impact assessment, and if so the required method of assessment.
Consultation helps the NT EPA and proponent to identify issues of concern and potential effects, as well as get feedback from stakeholders on project options or potential mitigation measures.
The NT EPA has prepared guidance for making a public submission PDF (299.3 KB) that outlines when comments will be sought, how to make an effective comment and what will happen to your comment.
Statutory notice (22 May 2026)
The NT EPA invites public comment on the draft terms of reference for the INPEX Operations Australia Pty Ltd (INPEX) proposal for the Ichthys LNG AGRU Upgrades and CCS Preparedness Project.
The draft terms of reference can be inspected and obtained below. Interested persons may make a submission by 15 June 2026. The NT EPA publishes this notice under regulation 102(1) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2020.
Documents
| Draft terms of reference | Type |
|---|---|
| Draft terms of reference for an EIS - EP2025/045 - 21 May 2026 | PDF 621.8 KB |
For more information about the referral go to the environmental impact assessment register for the Ichthys LNG AGRU upgrades and CCS preparedness project.
The proposal is associated with other carbon capture and storage (CCS) proposals being:
- INPEX Operations Australia Pty Ltd - Ichthys Carbon Capture and Storage Project.
- INPEX Operations Australia Pty Ltd - Bonaparte Carbon Capture and Storage Project
While each proposal is being assessed separately under the Environment Protection Act 2019 the NT EPA will consider direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts across all 3 proposals. As such, it is proposed to align the timing of the assessment process for the 3 proposals where possible.
Stakeholders will be able to participate in the assessment process by providing comments on either (i) each of the proposals individually, or (ii) via a single submission addressing all 3 proposals. Stakeholders are encouraged to identify whether their comments are for a single proposal (i) or addressing all 3 proposals (ii).