“INPEX has worked with communities in the Territory helping to build economic resilience and community vibrancy by delivering vital programs and services.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside the INPEX Darwin team and our stakeholders and proud to be contributing to positive outcomes here in the Territory, through jobs, training and social and economic benefits,” Richard said.

Richard has worked in the energy sector for more than 20 years and has been with INPEX since 2013. He has been in a senior leadership role across INPEX supporting offshore and onshore operations, exploration, drilling and logistics as the Health Safety and Environment Manager at the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG facility.

“I initially moved to Darwin on a two-year assignment in 2018 to support the safe start-up and early operations of Ichthys LNG.”

With INPEX now looking forward to its next phase of growth in the Top End, Richard sees an exciting future for the company’s operations in the Territory including the prospect of a third production train at Bladin Point and the possibility of Darwin becoming a hub for carbon capture and storage (CCS).

INPEX is actively assessing the prospect of Darwin becoming the hub for operations to safely store greenhouse gases in the Bonaparte Basin.

“CCS is a proven, safe technology available to help decarbonise natural gas and other hard-to-abate industries.”

INPEX has also taken a 50 percent stake in Australian renewables company ENEL Green Power which has solar and wind farm assets across four states and could be part of a longer-term push into the Territory.

“More broadly we are proud to be playing a key role in supporting Australia’s renewable transition in supplying natural gas to the Indo-Pacific, which supports regional energy security while contributing to global net zero goals.”

Since arriving in Darwin with his family six years ago, Richard has immersed himself in community and the Darwin lifestyle.

“Darwin has amazing locations right on its doorstep and I enjoy fishing, crabbing, caravanning with family and friends and local sports like football, basketball and netball. Darwin is an easy place to fall in love with.”