Petroleum acreage releases

The release area EPNT26-1, consists of 46 full and 4-part blocks.

Refer to the block map PDF (795.4 KB).

To view the acreage release area, go to the STRIKE website.

Geoscience data and reports

The area proposed for release includes areas within the defined boundaries of the Beetaloo Sub-basin, within the greater McArthur Basin. For more information, go to the Resourcing the Territory website.

This is a highly prospective onshore basin with proven unconventional petroleum systems. The area is supported by a substantial subsurface dataset, including:

• 37 wells
• over 9,000 km of seismic data within the sub-basin
• regional seismic and well data.

This release provides an opportunity to further assess and develop an important gas resource, supporting domestic energy security.

The Northern Territory Geological Survey (NTGS) assesses the acreage release area as highly prospective for petroleum, with the Beetaloo Sub-basin representing one of Australia’s most significant onshore gas provinces.

Drilling, testing, and geochemical studies have confirmed a series of working unconventional petroleum systems.

These systems are characterised by thick, organic-rich shale source rocks with demonstrated hydrocarbon generation, and retention, supported by recent flow tests indicate significant gas rates and stable production.

Some reservoir-seal pairs within the Beetaloo Sub-basin have also been identified as potential carbon capture and storage targets.

For more information, read the Beetaloo Sub-basin petroleum geoscience data and report PDF (895.7 KB).

How to apply for an exploration permit

Applications for an exploration permit, over all or some of the acreage release area, must be made in accordance with subsection 16(3) of the Petroleum Act 1984.

Before you apply, read the  NT Petroleum Exploration Permit Application Guidelines PDF (551.6 KB).

The guideline outlines the statutory obligations, processes and expectations of the NT Government regarding the making, consideration and determination of an application for an exploration permit under the Petroleum Act 1984.

To apply, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Fill in the Application for the grant of an Exploration Permit DOCX (78.1 KB).

Step 2. Submit your application to DME.PetroleumRelease@nt.gov.au by 4pm ACST Friday 31 July 2026.

An exploration permit application over Native Title affected land, such as pastoral leasehold land, is subject to the right to negotiate process under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

Application fee

The application fee for an exploration permit until 30 June 2026 is $22,834.

The application fee may increase on 1 July 2026. If you are planning to apply after this date, contact the department to confirm the fee amount.

The prescribed fee must be paid before you submit your application, or when you apply.

To make your payment contact Energy Titles by email, DME.PetroleumRelease@nt.gov.au.

How to make a public submission

Anyone can make a submission to the minister about whether a specified block in the acreage release area is suitable or not for exploration.

If there are other existing or proposed industries within a specified block in the acreage release area, you can comment on whether exploration of that block can occur at the same time.

For example, a person may submit that the land is not suitable for exploration because it is:

• subject to intensive agriculture
• of high ecological value
• of high scenic value
• culturally significant
• of strategic importance to nearby residential areas.

Submissions open on Thursday, 19 February 2026 and close at 4pm ACST on Friday, 31 July 2026.

Email your submissions to DME.PetroleumRelease@nt.gov.au.

What happens next

After you lodge your application or submission, the following steps will take place.

Minister’s consideration of applications and submissions

The minister will consider any applications and submissions made during the acreage release period, and determine whether to release the blocks for exploration, or otherwise.

The minister will publish his determination on the department’s website, including the reasons why any blocks are considered suitable for exploration.

Exploration permit applications

If an exploration permit application is awarded through the acreage release process, the minister will publish a notice of the application in the NT News, Koori Mail and NT Government Gazette under section 18 of the Petroleum Act 1984 and section 29 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

Following notification:

• objections to the grant of the exploration permit can be lodged under section 19 of the Petroleum Act 1984
• the applicant will be required to negotiate an agreement with any registered Native Title parties under the Native Title Act 1993(Cth)

Before the minister makes a determination about the grant of an exploration permit under section 20 of the Petroleum Act 1984, the application will be reviewed along with any objections, replies, comments, and any other information requested or considered relevant.

A permittee must also comply with the land access framework under the Petroleum Regulations 2020 prior to undertaking regulated operations on the land.

For more information, read the Land Access Petroleum Regulations 2020 Guidelines.

More information

For information about:

• the application process and legislation requirements, email EnergyTitles.DME@nt.gov.au.
• geoscientific data and reports, email Geoscience.Info@nt.gov.au.