Hydraulic fracturing for hydrocarbon deposits in the Territory, including the assessment of the environmental risks and actual environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing and the effectiveness of mitigation measures, and more particularly the matters mentioned in the following clauses:
- Historical and proposed use of hydraulic fracturing (exploration, appraisal and production) of hydrocarbon deposits in the Northern Territory (number of wells; locations; timeline).
- Environmental outcomes of each hydraulic fracturing activity for hydrocarbon resources in the Northern Territory (number of wells; frequency of types of known environmental impacts).
- Frequency of types and causes of environmental impacts from hydraulic fracturing for hydrocarbon deposits in the Northern Territory and for similar deposits in other parts of the world.
- The potential for multiple well pads to reduce or enhance the risks of environmental impacts.
- The relationship between environmental outcomes of hydraulic fracturing of shale petroleum deposits with geology, hydrogeology and hydrology.
- The potential for regional and area variations of the risk of environmental impacts from hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory.
- Effective methods for mitigating potential environment impacts before, during and after hydraulic fracturing with reference to:
- the selection of sites for wells
- well design, construction, standards, control and operational safety and well integrity ratings
- water use
- chemical use
- disposal and treatment of waste water and drilling muds
- fugitive emissions
- noise
- monitoring requirements
- the use of single or multiple well pads
- rehabilitation and closure of wells (exploratory and production) including issues associated with corrosion and long term post closure
- site rehabilitation for areas where hydraulic fracturing activities have occurred.
