Arabic version: هيئة حماية البيئة في الإقليم الشمالي توجّه اتهامات إلى إنبكس بشأن الإبلاغ عن الانبعاثات

According to ABC News, the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority has charged Japanese gas company Inpex over alleged under-reporting of toxic emissions from its Ichthys LNG operation on Darwin Harbour.

The regulator said Inpex informed it in October 2025 that emissions of benzene and toluene had been significantly under-reported between 2019 and 2024. The alleged reporting failures prompted an EPA investigation and may have breached the company’s environmental licence, which requires annual reporting of total air emissions in tonnes.

Inpex faces six separate charges in a matter expected to be heard in Darwin Local Court, though a date has not been finalised. If proven, the charges could carry fines of more than $60,000 each. The EPA said it would not comment further while the case is before the courts.

Environment Centre NT senior climate campaigner Bree Ahrens backed the prosecution and called for recommended licence changes for Inpex and Santos to be fully implemented. Benzene is known to cause some cancers, while toluene can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

Inpex senior vice president Bill Townsend said the company was taking the issue seriously but could not comment on legal matters. He said safe operations and the protection of people, the environment and the community remained the company’s highest priorities. Inpex previously said the under-reporting resulted from a calculation error and had not increased health risk to the community.