Summary of energy titles
Below is a summary of the types of energy titles you can get in the Northern Territory (NT) and the conditions that apply to each.
They are requirements under the Petroleum Act 1984, Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1981 and Geothermal Energy Act 2009.
Exploration
| Title | Purpose | Term | Renewal term | Maximum blocks | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exploration permit (EP) |
Prime title to explore, drill, survey for, but not produce hydrocarbons - under the Petroleum Act 1984 | 5 years | 5 years – Maximum of 2 renewals | 200 [5' block]s | As determined by the minister |
| Exploration permit (NTC/P) |
Prime title to explore, drill, survey for, but not produce hydrocarbons - under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1981 | 6 years – 50% relinquishment at end | 5 years – Maximum of 2 renewals | 400 [5' block]s | $30,000 |
| Exploration permit (GEP) |
Prime title to explore, drill, survey for, but not produce geothermal energy/generate power - under the Geothermal Energy Act 2009 | 5 years – 50% relinquishment at end | 5 years – Maximum of 2 renewals | 2000 [1' block]s | As determined by the minister |
Retention
| Title | Purpose | Term | Renewal term | Maximum blocks | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retention licence (RL) | Provides security of title over currently non-commercial discoveries for a reasonable period of time | 5 years | Subsequent 5 year periods if discovery remains sub-commercial | 200 [5' block]s | As determined by the minister |
| Retention lease (NTC/RL) | As above | 5 years | As above | Extent of petroleum pool/location [5' block]s | N/A |
| Retention licence (GRL) | As above | 5 years | The minister must not renew a geothermal retention licence more than twice | A proposed licence area may comprise all or part of the permit area. [1’block]s | As determined by the minister |
Production
| Title | Purpose | Term | Renewal term | Maximum blocks | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production licence (L) | To explore, test for and produce hydrocarbons | 21 or 25 years | Not exceeding 25 years | 200 [5’block]s | As determined by the minister |
| Production licence (NTC/L) | As above | 21 years | 21 years | Extent of petroleum pool/location | As determined by the minister |
| Production lease (GL) | Exclusive right to conduct activities in lease area related to the production of geothermal energy and the generation of power | Life of resource | N/A | A licence area may comprise all or part of the permit area | As determined by the minister |
Pipeline
| Title | Purpose | Term | Renewal term | Maximum length | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pipeline permit (PP) | Permit to enter land for to determine the route of proposed pipeline, situation of proposed apparatus or works and the land - under the Energy Pipelines Act 1981 | 1 year with possible extensions | Extension by approval of minister | As determined by the minister | N/A |
| Pipeline licence (PL) | Provide a form of tenure to construct and operate a pipeline for hydrocarbons - under the Energy Pipelines Act 1981 |
s.19(1) – 21 years s.19(2) - Indefinite |
s.19(1) – 21 years s.19(2) – Indefinite N/A [s.16] | As determined by the minister | $50,000 [s17(2)(a)] |
| Pipeline licence (NTC/PL) | Provide a form of tenure to construct and operate a pipeline for hydrocarbons - under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act Coastal waters – 3NM | Indefinite | N/A | As determined by the minister | As per Regulation 6 |
Production
Production leases OL3, OL4 and OL5 were granted the repealed Petroleum (Prospecting & Mining) Act and have been saved by section 119 of the Petroleum Act 1984.
| Title | Purpose | Renewal term |
|---|---|---|
| Production lease (OL) | To explore, test for, and produce hydrocarbons - under the Petroleum (Prospecting & Mining) Act [Repealed] | 21 years |
Give feedback about this page.
Share this page:
URL copied!