The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association director - NT Matthew Doman wrote to newly installed NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner last Thursday, the day consultation closed for the terms of reference, asking for the word "adverse" changed to the less negative "taking into account" when considering the impact of unconventional gas development.
The first point which the Terms of reference says the as-yet unnamed panel will consider is as follows: "Provide advice on whether hydraulic fracturing of unconventional reservoirs can be safely and effectively undertaken under best-practice conditions, without adverse impacts on environmental, social and economic values of the Northern Territory."
Energy News has learned APPEA wants it changed to: "Provide advice on whether hydraulic fracturing of unconventional reservoirs can be safely and effectively undertaken under best-practice conditions, taking into account impacts on the environmental, social and economic values of the Northern Territory."
Doman said the panel's final terms of reference needed to ensure that the information it considered was factual, complete and relevant to proposed shale gas resource development in the NT.
"It is important that the panel considers the public benefits to Territorians of natural gas development," he said.
"These benefits include employment and training opportunities in regional communities, improved infrastructure and services, and direct benefits to the traditional owners and landholders who host development on their land.
"The inquiry provides an important and appropriate opportunity for greater balance and perspective to be introduced into the discussion surrounding onshore gas exploration and development in the Territory - a discussion which regrettably has been the subject of anti-development activism and well-orchestrated fear campaigns."
He said APPEA respected that the new NT government has had a clear position of imposing a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing to develop the onshore unconventional gas resources.
While APPEA has long argued against the moratorium, it is happy that at least Gunner's government is moving quickly through a "disciplined" process to establish the framework for the review of this position.
"Every reputable study confirms that, properly regulated, our industry is safe. The industry understands that many people remain uncertain about the impacts of our activities," Doman said.
The former Santos flack-catcher said APPEA was working with pastoralists, traditional owners and the wider community to address their questions and concerns through "open, honest and factual communication".
"Hydraulic fracturing is an essential process for the creation of a successful shale gas industry in the NT," he said.
"It is part and parcel of the safe production of natural gas; it has been proven over decades around Australia and around the world; and it has been used for decades in the NT without incident."
The NT government said it received 364 submissions for the draft terms of reference for the inquiry after four weeks of consultation.
Once the panel is formed it will have public consultation sessions and meetings in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and other regional communities.
The government said its moratorium on hydraulic fracturing of onshore unconventional reservoirs within the NT will stay in place until government has "thoroughly considered" the recommendations of the inquiry.
