Hydraulic fracturing

The Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory (NT) released its final report in March 2018.

The inquiry’s recommendations were accepted and the moratorium on unconventional shale gas developments in the NT was lifted.

In May 2023, the NT Government released the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing Final Implementation Report which explained how the inquiry’s recommendations had been met in full. Read the report on the hydraulic fracturing in the NT website.

As a result of the inquiry’s recommendations, the government made significant changes to the NT's regulatory environment.

These include significant amendments to multiple pieces of legislation including the:

• Petroleum Act 1984
• Petroleum Regulations 2020
• Petroleum (Environment) Regulations 2016
• Water Act 1992
• Environment Protection Act 2019.

To find out more, go to the hydraulic fracturing in the NT website.