Sir – We are deeply concerned following news overnight that the Origin Energy/Falcon Oil and Gas owned Kyalla well in the Northern Territory’s Beetaloo Basin has become unstable during horizontal drilling.
Origin’s joint venture business partner Falcon Oil and Gas released a statement overnight admitting “operational challenges” at the much-hyped well.
The NT public deserves more than the scant detail and industry-speak contained within Falcon’s statement.
It could be that the driller can’t keep the borehole open and that the rock is collapsing around the drill bit. Risks will increase if Origin and Falcon push ahead to frack shale rock from a different horizontal well nearby.
A halt on all activity and a full investigation of this incident should now be required until all the issues are made clear.
Minister Eva Lawler has approved this dodgy drilling without fully understanding the risks.
It is critical no more approvals are made until full scientific studies are completed and the risks are fully investigated.”
Graeme Sawyer
NT Protect Country Alliance
