Origin starts drilling in NT

Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan has welcomed the start of drilling activity in the Beetaloo Basin, in the Northern Territory, where ASX-listed Origin Energy is spudding the first well since the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing was lifted in 2018.

“Exploration and production in the Beetaloo Basin means more jobs in Northern Australia’s resources sector and opportunities for local businesses. Dozens of people are currently employed even at this early gas exploration phase, but that number will grow as activity increases in the basin and projects move from exploration to development,” Canavan said.