Towards building a successful CCS hub in Darwin
Alister Trier A * , Howard Smith A , Aiden Anderson-Barr A and Simon Flowers AA Northern Territory Government, Darwin, NT, Australia.
The APPEA Journal 63 S460-S463 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22200
Accepted: 24 February 2023 Published: 11 May 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
The Northern Territory Government is working with industry, the Australian Government and CSIRO to accelerate development of the Middle Arm of Darwin Harbour into a globally competitive, sustainable industrial development precinct for low-emission hydrocarbons, hydrogen production, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and minerals processing. This project will significantly reduce Northern Territory emissions and catalyse growth of new industries driving low-emissions energy transition and providing a sustainable future Northern Territory economic growth. The Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct masterplan provides for a range of development scenarios that incorporate integrated large-scale renewable energy and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) infrastructure. Master planning of this greenfields site provides significant benefits including optimising the use of existing and shared infrastructure, resulting in reduced impacts and maximised economic benefits. This provides Industry with greater certainty, reduces the burden of pre-approvals and creates an investment-ready industrial precinct with ready access to key marine, road and rail transport facilities, utilities and other shared services. This provides an advantage over existing precincts around the globe, which may need to be retrofitted at greater cost and impact. When combined with decarbonisation of the existing gas industry at Middle Arm, there is unique opportunity to develop new low-emissions industries within the Northern Territory and supply low-emission energy and products to the Southeast Asian markets. This paper provides an overview of the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, its integration with the existing Northern Territory gas industry, the minerals industry and renewable energy, and CCS projects.
Keywords: carbon, carbon dioxide, CCS, CCUS, decarbonisation, industrial ecology, industrial estate, Middle Arm, Northern Territory.
Alister Trier, as Chair of the Gas Task Force, drives government’s vision to position the Territory as a world-class gas production, manufacturing and services hub by 2030. Alister leads collaboration between industry, the business sector and government to ensure a coordinated approach to developing and diversifying the Territory’s gas industry. In delivering this vision, Alister draws on his early experience in strategic market and business development in the international trade and agricultural sectors across Northern Australia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia; and his more recent roles as Chief Executive of the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, and the Department of Primary Industry and Resources in the Northern Territory Government. Alister has a solid record of delivery in the resources and agricultural sectors supported by a strong network of strategic relationships at the local, national and international levels. |
Dr Howard Smith is the Northern Territory Government lead on CCUS, with a special focus on integrating the principles of industrial ecology and circular economies into industrial precincts and the broader oil and gas industry. A founding member of the Gas Taskforce and qualified industrial chemical engineer, he has extensive international networks and experience that spans multiple aspects of the mining, minerals processing, oil, gas and industrial sectors. His solid technical expertise is supported by significant cross-cultural experience that allows him to operate effectively when undertaking complex engagements at local, national and international levels. |
Aiden Anderson-Barr is Acting Principal Industry Officer for Beetaloo Development, in the Gas Taskforce of the Northern Territory Government. He has been working in roles within the Gas Taskforce that include supporting the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct project, the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage project and primarily in the development of the Beetaloo Sub-basin. Aiden has a Law degree, specialising in trade and international business, and has spent 7 years working in various countries abroad, in circular economy and manufacturing. |
Simon Flowers is the Development Manager responsible for the strategic direction and delivery of the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct. A Chartered Engineer and project delivery professional, he specialises in the development and delivery of solutions for the infrastructure and energy sectors. He has spent 7 years in the United Kingdom leading large transport infrastructure projects and 12 years with a US energy firm, in which he led an international team responsible for a programme of developments on onshore and offshore hydrocarbon plants. In his current role as Development Manager, Simon is accountable for the strategic direction and delivery of land and marine infrastructure and environmental assessment of the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct. |
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