Federal Agencies Face Backlash Over Role in Darwin Gas Leak Scandal

Federal agencies, including the Clean Energy Regulator and CSIRO, are facing backlash for their role in allowing a major methane leak at the Darwin Liquefied Natural Gas plant to remain secret for years. Santos, the gas giant, was cleared to use the faulty tank until 2050 without fixing the leak or measuring emissions. Environmentalists have branded the issue a "national scandal".

Federal agencies, including the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) and CSIRO, are under intense scrutiny following revelations of a major methane leak at the Darwin Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant, which has been ongoing for nearly two decades. The leak, discovered by the Environment Centre NT (ECNT), has raised significant concerns about regulatory oversight and environmental accountability.

The Darwin LNG facility, operated by Santos since 2020, has been leaking methane since 2006. Drone monitoring between 2019 and 2020 estimated leak rates of up to 184 kilograms of methane per hour [1]. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has a significantly higher short-term warming impact than carbon dioxide, making the leak a critical environmental issue.

Environmental groups allege that both Santos and its predecessor, ConocoPhillips, failed to disclose the leak publicly to avoid jeopardizing approvals for the Barossa development. Despite the plant's temporary shutdown for repairs, the leak remains unresolved. Several government bodies, including the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NTEPA), NT Worksafe, the Clean Energy Regulator, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), and the CSIRO, were reportedly aware of the issue but did not compel repairs [1].

Critics argue that the failure to act is evidence of "regulatory capture" by the gas industry. The Greens have called for an investigation into the actions of relevant regulators and stronger federal oversight. Senator Larissa Waters, the Greens Leader, has demanded an explanation and commitment to action from the Climate Minister, Chris Bowen, and the Minister responsible for CSIRO, Tim Ayres [2].

The leak has significant implications for Santos' operations and regulatory compliance. The company has not issued a detailed public response to the claims, and the federal government has not announced whether it will take action. The situation presents a significant test of how regulators oversee one of Australia's most significant energy industries at a time of increasing scrutiny of climate and environmental impacts.

References:
[1] https://petroleumaustralia.com.au/news_article/santos-leak-sparks-urgent-calls-for-intervention/
[2] https://www.miragenews.com/ministers-must-address-20-year-darwin-methane-1524413/