Inpex is accused of underreporting emissions data.
The Japanese company Inpex is being held accountable in Australia for underreporting emissions data at the Ichthys LNG project. Authorities are considering tightening environmental regulations and updating licenses.
Natura
The Japanese company Inpex has been brought before Australian courts on charges of underreporting emissions data at its main Ichthys liquefied natural gas (LNG) project during the 2023–2024 financial year.
The proceedings were initiated by the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) as part of a tightening of environmental regulations, which are expected to be included in the updated environmental protection license for Ichthys. The charges relate to violations of license conditions due to the underreporting of benzene and toluene emissions between 2019 and 2024. The NT EPA has not disclosed further details while the case is under judicial review.
Last week, the NT EPA published recommendations following a review of atmospheric emissions covering two major LNG projects in the Northern Territory—Ichthys LNG (Inpex) and Darwin LNG (Santos). This review was launched after Inpex reported in October last year that it had underreported emissions of volatile organic compounds, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), at the Ichthys LNG facility.
Specific details of the charges and the timeline for the case have not been made public. According to local media, the case will likely be heard in the Darwin District Court, and Inpex may face up to six separate charges.
In the coming months, the NT EPA will have the opportunity to amend the licenses of Inpex and Santos to further restrict toxic emissions. Residents of Darwin and Palmerston expect the NT EPA to use its full authority to prevent similar incidents in the future.