Northern Territory EPA charges Inpex over alleged under-reporting of toxic emissions
The NT Environment Protection Authority has filed charges against Japanese gas firm Inpex for allegedly misstating benzene and toluene releases from its Ichthys LNG plant between 2019 and 2024.
The Northern Territory's environmental regulator has moved to prosecute Inpex, the Japanese LNG operator, after the company disclosed that it had substantially under-reported benzene and toluene emissions from the Ichthys facility near Darwin for the period 2019-2024. The NT EPA said this discrepancy violates the environmental licence issued in December 2017, which obliges Ichthys LNG to submit yearly air-emission totals.
Inpex notified the agency of the under-reporting in October 2025, leading the EPA to commence legal action and to refrain from further comment while the matter proceeds in Darwin Local Court. A court date has yet to be scheduled. The prosecution follows a recent EPA review that recommended licence changes for both Inpex and another major gas processor, Santos. Inpex was approached for comment but did not respond.
Why it matters
Accurate reporting of hazardous emissions is crucial for community health and regulatory compliance.
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