Gas giant prosecuted after under-reporting toxic emissions
Japanese gas giant Inpex has been charged by the Northern Territory's environmental regulator for under-reporting the amount of toxic emissions it released from the Ichthys facility near Darwin.
In a case of environmental misconduct, the Australian Northern Territory's ecological overseer has initiated legal proceedings against Japanese energy conglomerate Inpex. The indictment centers on Inpex's alleged failure to accurately disclose the volume of hazardous emissions emanating from its Ichthys facility, situated in proximity to Darwin.
This revelation came to light when Inpex informed the regulator of a considerable under-reporting of benzene and toluene emissions, which transpired between the years 2019 and 2024.
The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (EPA) probed this matter following Inpex's disclosure. Upon reviewing the information, the EPA found that the under-reporting constituted a violation of Inpex's environmental operating license. The EPA's statement explicates that the license, originally issued on December 13, 2017, mandates Inpex to submit annual reports detailing the total emissions to the atmosphere in metric tonnes to the NT EPA.
In October 2025, Inpex acknowledged the substantial under-reporting, thereby triggering the EPA's decision to initiate legal action.
The EPA has also recently suggested amendments to the operating licenses of Darwin's two principal gas processing entities, Santos and Inpex, in response to Inpex's under-reporting, which initiated a comprehensive review. At present, the EPA refrains from further comment on the matter while it is under judicial scrutiny. The proceedings are anticipated to unfold in Darwin Local Court; however, the exact date of the court hearing remains undetermined as of now.
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