Petroleum activities reporting

If you conduct geophysical and geological surveys, carry out geoscientific studies, or reprocess pre-existing data from a geophysical or geological survey, you must submit reports and data to the minister.

This includes:

• weekly survey reports - each week for the duration of data acquisition
• downhole survey reports - by the end of the month following the month the survey was conducted
• acquisition reports, processing reports and final survey reports - within 12 months after the acquisition of data has been completed
• geoscientific study reports and reprocessing reports - within 12 months after the study is carried out, or the reprocessing of data is completed.

A late lodgement fee is payable for each week or part of a week that a survey or other report is submitted past the due date.

Failure to submit a report is considered an offense and may lead to prosecution.

How to submit

You must submit survey and other reports with the approved form, and include all relevant content set out in the Petroleum Regulations 2020.

Get the approved form:

• checklist and transmittal for reports and data related to seismic and other geophysical surveys PDF (97.1 KB)
• checklist and transmittal for reports and data related to wells PDF (41.8 KB).

You must submit reports and data in formats that comply with the guidelines for Northern Territory petroleum reporting and data submission PDF (664.2 KB).

The Petroleum (Transitional) Regulations 2023 state that interest holders who started a survey before 22 June 2023, should continue to submit reports and data for affected surveys in line with the requirements of the now revoked schedule of onshore petroleum exploration and production requirements.

Read more about how to submit reports.