The Beetaloo Sub-basin is recognised as one of the largest and most significant shale gas plays globally, potentially rivalling the Marcellus Shale in the United States.
- Resource scale: More than 500 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of discovered and prospective gas resources, according to industry estimates.
- Production potential: Possibly 6,000+ terajoules (TJ) per day, enabled by modern drilling and hydraulic stimulation technologies.
- Economic impact: A transformative opportunity for the Northern Territory, with the potential to generate over $17 billion in economic value over the next two decades, in royalties, employment opportunities and business growth.
The Beetaloo is central to the Territory’s energy and economic future - delivering secure and affordable gas supply, driving economic growth, powering manufacturing and positioning the Northern Territory as a leader in responsible resource development.
The Significance
Energy Security Now and Into the Future
Gas from the Beetaloo will be available to address forecast supply shortfalls – powering homes, businesses and manufacturing industries across the East Coast.
National Project, National Benefits
The Beetaloo isn’t just a Territory project – it’s a strategic national energy asset critical to delivering on the Commonwealth’s Future Made in Australia Policy, by keeping the lights on and energy-intensive manufacturing industries moving. Beetaloo gas is lower in production cost than other Australian gas sources, and can power East Coast manufacturing, smelters and refineries for decades to come, keeping Australians employed.
Cleaner Energy, Made in Australia
Beetaloo gas has a much lower carbon dioxide (CO2) content than alternative gas sources, making it one of the cleanest and most reliable fuels to power the energy transition. Transmission of Beetaloo gas to the East Coast via pipeline would generate a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with alternative proposals to address gas supply shortfalls, such as the importation of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Jobs, Investment, and Regional Growth
Beetaloo development has the potential to create 13,000 jobs, providing work opportunities for people in the regions, and unlock $17 billion in economic growth over 20 years.
The Opportunity
The highly prospective resources of the Beetaloo Sub-basin are being compared to the productive Marcellus Basin in the north east of the United States, and there are other layers and basins yet to be explored.
The estimated gas volumes would be sufficient to service and grow existing LNG export markets, secure domestic gas supply and propel low-emission advanced manufacturing in the Territory.
Current exploration aims to determine recoverable volumes of both wet and dry gas from the Velkerri B layer and Kyalla formation. Studies and industry analysis projecting that development could:
- produce 13,000+ jobs by 2040
- increase economic activity by $17+ billion
- spur advanced manufacturing opportunities and new low-emission industries in the Territory
- deliver cheaper and more reliable gas across Australia for decades to come
- provide an additional source of gas for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export.
Exploration and appraisals continue to show encouraging results, and first gas is expected to start flowing from the Beetaloo Sub-basin in the second half of 2026.
To date studies provided for the Australian and Northern Territory Governments have looked at determining the most efficient pathways to market, as well as potential challenges and opportunities for the basins development.
For more information about the economic impact of the Beetaloo go to Economic Impact Assessment Fracking Inquiry Fracking Inquiry.
Planning
The Beetaloo Sub-basin will require significant investment in the immediate to short-term to support future infrastructure development, including new or enlarged gas processing facilities, large-scale pipeline infrastructure and enhanced transport and common-user infrastructure (such as road, rail, aviation and utility assets) which will also benefit other users in the region.
Desktop studies and detailed design and planning have commenced to build an infrastructure corridor from Elliott to Darwin.
The Territory Energy Link (TEL) is a proposed multi-user, multi-asset infrastructure corridor which will deliver a buried services network designed to transmit gas, water, fibre-optic data, electricity, hydrogen and other utilities critical to the Territory’s future. For more information go to Territory Energy Link.
The TEL will connect the Beetaloo to Darwin laying the foundations for billions of dollars in investment and thousands of local jobs.
This project is now in the feasibility stage, encompassing further detailed technical, commercial and regulatory assessments, in addition to land access negotiations and stakeholder engagement on the proposed TEL corridor footprint.
The Beetaloo Project Management Office (PMO) supports and drives the development of the Beetaloo Sub-Basin gas industry. The PMO delivers the strategic planning and coordination services needed to maximise the economic and community benefits of the Territory’s natural resources in the Beetaloo.
This will ensure the Territory benefits from the growth and diversification of industry in the Beetaloo, which will support energy security and the transition to net zero emissions in Australia and globally.
By working with the Australian Government, industry operators, and local and Aboriginal communities, the Northern Territory Government will unlock the Beetaloo Sub-basin’s enormous potential and realise thousands of jobs and significant economic growth for Territorians for generations.
To find out more, read the onshore gas extraction (printable booklet).