Flows from the Tamboran Resources operated Shenandoah South well in the Beetaloo basin were so good that the multibillion-dollar project is being fast-tracked.

Chief executive Joel Riddle says: “I’m really excited about getting to a place where we can drive this project forward.

“We’ve achieved the highest flow rates we’ve seen in the basin to this day and it really proves the commercial viability of this very large gas resource.”

Shenandoah South holds reserves of 20 trillion cubic feet, which is double the size of Woodside’s Scarborough field – Australia’s largest identified resource.

“It’s positioned to be the biggest gas development in Australia and one of the largest in the world,” Mr Riddle says.

A final investment decision on a pilot plant is expected to be made this year, which means the first gas could be delivered to the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct on the outskirts of Darwin by early 2026.

Five investors have already booked space at the Territory Government’s proposed industrial complex and more are likely to follow once a reliable power supply is guaranteed.

A second production phase will pipe 1 billion cubic feet of gas a day from Beetaloo to the east coast.

This will require the construction of a new pipeline, which will lead to jobs, training and royalty payments.

The third phase will be the export of 6.6 million tonnes of gas a year from Darwin Port to Asia.

Tamboran has a target to be net-zero emissions for direct emissions as soon as it starts commercial production of gas.

Analysts say that the Beetaloo project could support more than 6000 direct and indirect permanent jobs in the Territory.

The NT Government estimates that Beetaloo could increase economic activity by more than $17 billion.

Territory Mining Minister Mark Monaghan says this figure is probably “conservative” following the test results of 6.4 million cubic feet per day over a 1000 metre section of the reserve.

He says the results prove Beetaloo is “more than” commercially viable.

Development of onshore gas is supported by the Labor Government and CLP Opposition.

Beetaloo is on Aboriginal land and the gas project is supported by Traditional Owners.

Tamboran Resources has alway shown that it is conscious of community obligations.

It uses local Aboriginal contractors whenever possible.

For instance, Konan Contracting – named by company founder Ben Ulamari and his partner Sherese after their son Konan who died a few minutes after being born in 2014 – carries out water quality testing at the exploration site.

It also checks for gas leaks at the wellhead and checks visiting vehicles, including roadtrains, for invasive species.

“We look after the environment,” says Ben, who was born in Elliott, 735 south-east of Darwin. “It’s great to have Traditional Owners caring for their own country.” “Tamboran promised to look after our country and that’s what they are doing.”

Tamboran also has two major sporting sponsorship deals.

The company has signed a three-year sponsorship with the NBL North team Darwin Salties men’s and women’s basketball teams, and an individual deal to sponsor high-profile recruit Courtney Woods. Salties general manager Matt Nason says Tamboran Resources and the Salties are both “emerging highenergy teams in their fields and will grow together”.

“Without their support, and the support of all our amazing partners, we simply wouldn’t exist,” he says.

“What I especially love is that Tamboran want to see the Salties become a fulltime professional NBL club – they want a long-term partnership that delivers for the Territory. “They also have a particular interest in supporting our women’s program – including being Courtney’s player sponsor – and they will join our journey to also become a WNBL club.”

Mr Riddle says: “This partnership is consistent with Tamboran’s goals to be an integral part of the NT community and create new opportunities for all.”

Tamboran is also sponsoring Dolphins National Rugby League players to hold coaching clinics in Katherine, Elliott and Daly Waters.

The delegation includes fullback superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Edrick Lee, Herman Ese’ese, Mason Teague, Kurt Donoghoe and Jack Bostock. Mr Riddle says:

“We’re particularly proud to be bringing the NRL Dolphins clinics into communities with large Indigenous communities to grow fans and participation of rugby league among Indigenous youth in the NT.”