Inpex fined $12,600 for release of PFAS which placed the Darwin Harbour environment at risk

Gas supplier Inpex has been fined by the Federal Environment and Energy Department after an investigation found a dangerous chemical was released from the Ichthys onshore processing site

Inpex has been fined $12,600 for releasing PFAS into Darwin Harbour

GAS supplier Inpex has been fined by the Federal Environment and Energy Department after an investigation found PFAS was released from the site into Darwin Harbour.

The investigation found the chemical was released in September last year and put wildlife, including dolphins, and dugongs at risk.

Inpex was required to store water containing PFAS from firefighting exercises held on the site, and then transport the water interstate for treatment at a licensed facility.

A spokesperson from the Department confirmed to the NT News that in September 2018, INPEX boiled wastewater from firefighting tests that contained PFAS at their Gas Export facility in Darwin, which was a breach of their approval conditions.

“The Department of the Environment and Energy issued INPEX with an infringement of $12,600 for the breach of approval which INPEX paid,” the spokesman said.

“The Office of Compliance routinely monitors EPBC Act approval holders, including INPEX, to ensure compliance with their approval conditions.

“The Office of Compliance uses a range of compliance tools to monitor compliance. These include, but are not limited to, engagement with the State government regulators, conducting site visits, requesting information and gathering intelligence data, reviewing allegations made to the Department, appraising media articles, and reviewing satellite imagery.”

An Inpex spokesman said the company, along with its lead onshore contractor JKC conducted commissioning tests on firefighting systems at the Ichthys LNG onshore processing facilities during 2018.

“Prior notification of the testing was provided to the NT Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and all activities were conducted in accordance with environmental management plans approved by the NT EPA and the Australian Department of Environment and Energy,” the spokesman said.

“The commissioning tests generated a large amount of wastewater containing a very small amount of PFAS.

“As current regulations prevent waste firefighting foam from being treated in Northern Territory wastewater disposal centres, the wastewater needed to be transported interstate for disposal.

“Following a rigorous review of the potential environmental and safety risks associated with transporting large volumes of wastewater, enhanced evaporation was used to reduce the amount of water needing to be transported.

The spokesman said at no stage in the evaporation process did wastewater leak into the external environment, including Darwin Harbour.

“INPEX considers this process was done in accordance with all approvals but nevertheless made the requested payment when a notice was subsequently received.”