MPs demand Santos fix gas tank, leaking for 19 years
After causing the concern of the Nations Community, the repair options for the storage tank of a large gas export center that has leaked methane for about 20 years are discussed.
The Darwin Liquid Natural Gas Plant, operated by Santos, has been emitting harmful greenhouse gas since it was built in 2006 by Conocophillips Australia.
The Northern Regional Government is aware of the 19 -year leak due to small source abnormalities and emissions were found to be up to 184kg/hour.
On Tuesday, NT Environmental Protection Administration President Paul Vogel said that the department would discuss possible solutions with Santos, including whether it will reduce the cost of repairing the tank.
ABC Radio told him, “(Santos), there is a process and procedure that does not pose a risk for workers and will provide environmental benefit.
Vogel, the leak is insignificant and the total emissions of the facility constitute about one percent, he said.
The tank cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and if it is considered too risky or expensive to fix it, the leak may need to be managed.
The authority said that it has not reported the leak before, because the methane levels that are emitted from the tank do not face explosion and negligible risk for human health or environment ”.
It continues to regulate the facility and carries out its annual inspections.
Green leader Senator Larissa Waters urged the Federal Government to order the leak to Santos before starting to store gas from the recently approved Barossa Open Sea project in the northern part of the tank.
Independent MP Monique Ryan said the amount of gas leakage is equivalent to having more than extra 8000 cars on the roads per year.
Dr Ryan, NT EPA, CSIRO, National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, Clean Energy Regulator and Occupational Safety regulator also claimed that the problem but could not take action.
“This is a risk of health not only for regions, but also for all Australians, because it contributes actively to an increase in carbon emissions, as we stood here,” he said.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, Parliament. He said he was worried about Methane leakage in response to a question of Ryan.
Authorized, a expert examination of Methane emission management is assigned and the findings will be provided to parliament, he said.
NT Worksafe said that the tank remained safe to work until 2050 and according to the 2025 letter given to the media by the NT Environmental Center, there is no danger to people or the environment.
Regulator said Santos had previously tried to repair the tank.
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