Audit finds Inpex taking major steps to fix historic emissions reporting errors
An independent audit concluded Inpex has made significant progress in correcting past emissions under-reporting at its Ichthys LNG plant, though some gaps remain.
The NT EPA ordered an independent audit of Inpex’s emissions reporting at the Ichthys LNG facility in Darwin, carried out by consulting firm AECOM. Auditor Todd Mitchell found no evidence of intentional data falsification but said Inpex has taken "significant steps" to address historic under-reporting, including adding emissions from moored gas ships, accounting for ammonia, fuel and condensate releases, and transitioning to an advanced environmental data management system.
The review relied on publicly available documents and information supplied by Inpex, without an on-site inspection, and pointed out that some historical errors persist, with uncertainties around pollutants such as mercury and reliance on industry averages for certain sources. Inpex is currently being prosecuted by the NT EPA for under-reporting benzene, a WHO-classified carcinogen, and its initial court appearance was deferred to November.
The regulator confirmed Inpex’s commitment to implement the auditor’s recommendations, including annual assurance assessments. Critics argue that continued audits indicate Inpex has not yet fully resolved the emissions issue and warn of potential impacts on Darwin’s air quality.
Why it matters
Accurate emissions reporting is crucial for community health and regulatory compliance in a major LNG operation.
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