Energy resources
Changes to petroleum laws
This content is currently under review.
On 22 June 2023, laws changed for onshore petroleum activities.
All petroleum titleholders must comply with the new laws.
Find out more about the changes.
The energy industry is critical to the Northern Territory's (NT) development, particularly in regional areas.
Developing energy resources
There are requirements you must meet if you're exploring for or producing energy resources in the NT.
Find out about:
You can get information about the Territory's known major commodities on the Resourcing the Territory website. This includes:
- past and current production
- resource figures
- details of current projects
- geological and industry information.
Laws and regulations
Below is a list of legislation and regulations covering the energy resources in the NT.
Petroleum: onshore and inland waters
Petroleum (Environment) Regulations 2016
Petroleum (Transitional) Regulations 2023
Petroleum: specific to Mereenie and Palm Valley
Petroleum (Prospecting and Mining) Act (236.6 kb) PDF (236.6 KB)
Petroleum (Prospecting and Mining) Amendment Act (No. 1) 1981 PDF (77.1 KB)
Petroleum (Prospecting and Mining) Amendment Act (No. 2) 1981 PDF (32.9 KB)
Petroleum (Prospecting and Mining) Amendment Act (No. 3) 1981 PDF (22.0 KB)
Petroleum (Prospecting and Mining) Regulations 2001
Petroleum (Prospecting and Mining) Previous Regulations as in force 1 September 1981 PDF (173.0 KB)
Petroleum: NT coastal waters
Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1981
Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations 1987
Pipelines: onshore and inland waters
Energy Pipelines Regulations 2001
Environmental Offences and Penalties Act 1996
Environmental Offences and Penalties Regulations 2011
National Gas (Northern Territory) Act 2008
Pipelines: NT coastal waters
Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1981
Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations 1987
Geothermal legislation
Geothermal Energy Regulations 2009
Other legislation relevant to petroleum and geothermal activities
Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act 1976
Dangerous Goods Regulations 1985
Environment Protection Act 2019
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Marine Pollution Regulations 2003
Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1978
Radioactive Ores and Concentrates (Packaging and Transport) Act 1980
Radioactive Ores and Concentrates (Packaging and Transport) Regulations 1980
Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973
Soil Conservation and Land Utilisation Act 1969
Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2010
Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011
Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998
Waste Management and Pollution Control (Administration) Regulations 1998
Weeds Management Regulations 2006
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011
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