It’s not just the core business of energy development that keeps him occupied – he also enjoys the community contribution his role plays in the Territory.

Community partnerships

Part of this contribution is INPEX’s support of the Darwin Festival, which achieved one of its most successful seasons at the box office this year.

“INPEX is proud to support Darwin Festival, contributing to the social vibrancy and economic resilience of the Territory,” Richard says. “We have been supporting the festival for several years and look forward to another 18 days and nights of fabulous entertainment in 2025.”

“Through INPEX’s broad community partnerships program, we have recently announced a five-year partnership with the Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory (MAGNT) focused on strengthening science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education in the NT.

“We’re very proud of this program. The $1.3 million STEAM education program, delivered under the Ichthys Project Voluntary Offset Agreement, funded by the INPEX-led Ichthys Joint Venture, will nurture the next generation’s educational development through curriculum-aligned learning and informal learning opportunities.”

Northern Territory election

INPEX values authentic relationships and this is all-the-more essential during periods of change.

“We strive to work with government to enable smooth continuity of successful energy development and certainty for the broad ecosystem of organisations supporting Ichthys LNG in the Territory.

“We congratulate Lia Finocchiaro on becoming the Northern Territory’s 14th Chief Minister, and also thank Eva Lawler and the NT Labor Party for their valued support of INPEX and Ichthys LNG in Darwin.”

Carbon capture and storage

INPEX is moving into its next phase of growth, which includes the possibility of a third onshore production train.

Richard sees CCS as a critical and essential part of INPEX’s decarbonisation objectives.

Appraisal work with the INPEX-led Bonaparte CCS Assessment Project – a joint venture with TotalEnergies and Woodside Energy – offers an exciting opportunity to prove up a large-scale carbon storage site in the Petrel Subbasin, 260 kilometres offshore west of Darwin.

“INPEX is overseeing the drilling of two CCS appraisal wells and will collect various underground data, including wireline logs and core samples,” Richard says.

“We’re in the assessment phase of a multi-year program. and early indications show promise for longterm and large-scale storage of CO2 not only for LNG projects like Ichthys.”

Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct

The Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct represents a valuable opportunity for the Northern Territory to play its part in actively delivering Australia’s, and the region’s, net zero goals.

“The proposed Darwin CCS Hub at Middle Arm is all about supporting a cleaner future, assisting the decarbonisation of local industry – and the proposed common user infrastructure could enable CO2 imports from regional and international emitters.

“We look forward to realising this exciting multi-industry collaboration together with the Northern Territory Government, CSIRO and other Darwin CCS Hub participants.”

Our team

Richard is passionate about supporting positive outcomes in the Territory and is proud of INPEX’s contribution.

“What we have achieved, and what we continue to achieve in the community, is a direct result of the fantastic people who work with us including our contractors, both on site at Ichthys LNG under the leadership of Dave Dann, General Manager Onshore Operations, and in the corporate office in Darwin,” he says..

“We’re proud to be playing our part in the Territory. Our 600 Darwinbased Ichthys team members and their families are contributing to the community.”

Visit: inpex.com.au