one step closer

Looks like NT goverment is getting serious about energy infrastructure.This was posted yesterday in the local paper,a continuation from the March story.

May 21st, 2009

A TERRITORY Government Cabinet Minister has had talks with an investment corporation that wants to build a multibillion-dollar fuel plant.

Asian Relations and Trade Minister Chris Burns met Jogmec president Hirobumi Kawano in Tokyo and discussed "exploration potential in the Territory".

He did not give any more details on the talks.

But the Northern Territory News revealed in March that Jogmec - the investment arm of the Japanese Government - is looking for a place to build a new-technology gas-to-liquids conversion complex.

The Japanese corporation is looking at several sites around the world, including Darwin and Central Australia.

Dr Burns went to Niigata to inspect Jogmec's world-leading demonstration gas-to-liquid fuel plant.

The Northern Territory Government is playing down the chances of the Territory winning the fuel complex.

Observers believe this is because the Government wants Territorians to start seeing the benefits of the $12 billion Inpex development before having to consider the impact of another massive infrastructure project.

Japan has very few natural resources of its own and Jogmec is responsible for ensuring stable oil, gas and metals supplies to Japan.

Dr Burns said the NT Government was "committed to working with" Jogmec, which already has mining interests in the Territory.

The Trade Minister also met Inpex president Naoki Karoda in Tokyo.

The Inpex project is the largest private sector investment in Australia.

Dr Burns said it would create "ample opportunities" for Northern Territory businesses and create jobs.