Industry News

PSEA – Prescribed Single Engine Aeroplanes

The PC-12 NG Aircraft is now part of the Chartair fleet. The PC-12 is a single engine turboprop aircraft and conforms to the PSEA Standard.

This information has been compiled to provide information pertaining to the PC12 aircraft.

Safety Benefits of the Single Engine Turbine

The PC12 NG is operated under CASA’s stringent Prescribed Single Engine Aircraft (PSEA) regulations, ensuring the highest safety standards. The main reason for CASA’s implementation of PSEA requirements is to minimise the probability of an inflight engine shutdown to as close to zero as possible. CASA mandates rigorous maintenance, operational oversight, and performance benchmarks for single-engine turbine aircraft, creating a safety framework comparable to and often far exceeding the already highly safe multi-engine operational requirements.

The Pilatus PC-12, powered by the renowned Pratt & Whitney PT6 engine, sets the standard for safety, reliability, and versatility in single-engine turbine aircraft. Certified and operated as a Prescribed Single-Engine Aircraft (PSEA), the PC-12 adheres to rigorous safety standards that rival—and in many cases exceed—those of twin-engine aircraft, offering significant advantages over older multi-engine models.

The PC12 NG is trusted worldwide by corporate, government, and medical operators, most notably the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia operating 36 Pilatus PC12’s, attesting to its safety and reliability.

PSEA operations include enhanced safety measures, such as:

• Advanced flight crew training and checking, ensuring pilots are exceptionally well-prepared for all situations.
• Redundant engine controls, providing critical fail-safes for reliable operation.
• Radar altimeters, enhancing situational awareness and precision during low-altitude operations.
• Redundant power sources, guaranteeing continued operation of essential systems.
• Advanced crashworthiness design standards under FAR Part 23, which are far more stringent than those applicable to similar aircraft in its class, ensuring superior occupant protection in emergencies.
• Onboard weather radar, allowing pilots to detect and avoid hazardous weather conditions.
• Automatic Engine ignition and Fuel Pumps, in the event of an engine flame out or fuel disruption

Single-engine turbine aircraft like the PC-12 are considered safer than older piston multi-engine aircraft due to their simpler design, greater reliability, and advanced technology. The PT6 engine, with over 400 million flight hours, offers unmatched dependability, eliminating the complexity and risks associated with managing multiple engines.

With its cutting-edge engineering, advanced avionics, and proven performance in demanding operations, the PC-12 is a trusted choice for operators and government agencies worldwide, delivering safety and reliability that rival, and often exceed, that of twin-engine aircraft.

Thank you for flying with Chartair.

Celebrating 50 years in Australian Aviation

Contact Chartair for enquiries. sales@chartair.com.au

An innovative approach to recruitment has seen 11 apprentices, across 4 fields, and 2 trainees start an exciting career with Power and Water Corporation. They join 5 new graduates, plus 28 apprentices, 7 graduates, 8 business trainees and 1 water operation trainee who are already part of the Power and Water team across the Northern Territory.

Power and Water partners with GTNT Group to host apprentices and trainees, with the partnership spanning more than 30 years. This year there were more than 400 applications for the Power and Water roles.

Power and Water’s Executive General Manager Power Services, Belinda Small said the partnership has delivered excellent outcomes, with 4 wins at the 2024 GTNT Group Awards, including Host Business of the Year. The awards recognise apprentices, trainees, supervisors and businesses going above and beyond in their ongoing training and development.

‘We’re constantly exploring how to build and grow our team in the most successful and efficient way,’ Ms Small said. ‘And it’s always exciting to welcome new people to the team.

‘New faces mean new ideas, approaches, skills and outlooks, which is excellent for our organisation. Our focus is on developing local talent from across the Territory.’

Jodie Havens is one of the new faces. She has joined the Power Services team in Darwin as an apprentice. Her dad is a tradie and she’s always been his offsider.

‘I’ve been his little apprentice my whole life,’ she said. ‘So, when I was thinking about what I wanted to do, I wanted something hands-on so I could learn as I work. I’m excited to learn skills and all the nitty gritty stuff about electricity.’

Will Flanagan is joining Power and Water as a trainee with Water Services in Katherine. Having lived interstate, he’s keen to be back in his hometown.

‘I’m looking forward to the combination of working with my hands and working with my brain,’ he said. ‘The lab side, and water production and treatment for drinking water, I find really interesting. Ultimately, I’d like to get into project management.’

Dennis Jevdenijevic applied as an apprentice with Power Services in Darwin 2 years ago and just missed out. He was encouraged to apply again last year and was accepted, then had to defer due to personal unforeseen circumstances.

‘Power and Water was kind enough to hold a position for me this year. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity,’ he said.

‘Learning new things and the opportunities that come with Power and Water are exciting. It’s exciting to see what you can grow into within the organisation.’

Launched last year, the new recruitment process is part of a strategic initiative to continuously build and maintain a high level of skilled, in-house expertise across the organisation. Shortlisted apprenticeship and trainee candidates participate in an assessment centre, where they are evaluated through group activities, individual practical tasks and written exercises. This gives a holistic view of their strengths and skills.

To learn more about Power and Water’s apprenticeship, traineeship, and graduate opportunities, visit website.

Source: Power and Water News and Media 

Treasurer Bill Yan and Under Treasurer Tim McManus will next week travel by road from Darwin and down the track to Alice Springs to talk with Territorians about the state of our economy.

Mr Yan and Mr McManus will outline the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s plan to fix the economic mess left behind after eight years of Labor failings and mismanagement.

The sessions will give businesses, community leaders, and locals a chance to hear directly about the Territory’s finances, the challenges the CLP Government has inherited, and the work which is underway to turn things around.

Roadshow details:

• Darwin: Tuesday 4 February, 4–5:30 pm, DoubleTree By Hilton, Grand Ballroom (200 attendees expected).

• Katherine: Wednesday 5 February, 5–6:30 pm, GYRACC Auditorium (50–100 attendees expected).

• Tennant Creek: Friday 7 February, 9:30–11:00 am, Civic Hall (50–100 attendees expected).

• Alice Springs: Friday 7 February, 4–5:30 pm, DoubleTree, Grand Ballroom (200 attendees expected).

The Economy: Where We Stand

The latest State of the States report from CommSec, covering July to September 2024, and Deloitte Access Economics' December report, paint a challenging picture.

The reports reflect the economic environment the CLP Government inherited when elected in August 2024.

“In just five months, our government has launched the HomeGrown Territory Grants program with over 370 applications and more than $2.2 million in grants paid, Territory Coordinator reform, and abolished payroll tax for 200 small businesses while additionally supporting hundreds of medium businesses to grow,” said Mr Yan.

“Other economic initiatives include establishing the Approvals Fast Track Taskforce to reform regulatory processes and reduce approval timeframes for small businesses and investing $27 million in Alice Springs infrastructure projects.

“The Territory Coordinator will re-define the way business is done and will allow us to focus on our key economic strengths in mining, energy, agriculture, tourism and defence.”

According to Deloitte, the Territory’s economy is expected to contract by 0.4% in 2024-25, primarily due to a 14.3% drop in international exports and an 11.5% fall in housing investment.

There are, however, positive indicators of growth ahead.

Business investment has risen by 5.8%, and the Territory’s economic outlook is forecast to improve dramatically, with a 6.0% growth rate projected for 2025-26 — the highest in the nation.

Equipment spending, a key indicator of business confidence, surged 47.5% last year, and Deloitte predicts steady employment growth and population increases averaging 1.5% annually over the next five years.

These results underscore the resilience of the Territory, and its potential for recovery.

“While the path ahead is tough, these reports affirm what Territorians already know — Labor left the economy in a fragile state,” said Mr Yan.

“Our government has already begun laying the foundations for sustainable growth, but turning the ship around will take time, hard work, and a commitment to doing things differently.

“We’ve taken our time to examine the books which has identified further cost blowouts across Labor’s projects – which is why in eight years we’ve blown out to $12 billion in debt – with their last budget ensuring we reach the debt cap by 2028.”

The CLP Government’s economic plan is built around practical steps — cutting red tape, backing businesses, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

The roadshow will focus on how the government is stabilising the Territory’s finances, reducing costs for families and businesses, and making smart investments to create jobs and drive growth.

To register your interest to attend any of the roadshows, email protocol.cmc@nt.gov.au.

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

EP 98 Operational Update: Commencement of SS-2H ST1 and SS-3H stimulation campaign

Highlights:

• Tamboran has commenced stimulation activities of the Shenandoah South 2H sidetrack (SS-2H ST1) and 3H (SS-3H) wells in Beetaloo Basin exploration permit EP 98.
   
• The Company is planning to pump up to 119 stimulation stages across the two wells with reduced spacing between stages. The SS-2H ST1 well is planned to include 43 stages over a 5,427-foot (1,654-metre) horizontal section and the SS-3H well is planned to include 76 stages over a 9,766-foot (2,977-metre) horizontal section.
   
• The campaign is being conducted with the Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT) modern stimulation equipment, which is the first 80,000 hydraulic horsepower (HHP) frac spread imported into the Beetaloo Basin from the US.
   
• The increased horsepower from the Liberty equipment is expected to result in a >25% increase in proppant intensity of >2,800 pounds per foot, as compared with Shenandoah South 1H well. All stages are being pumped with a slickwater fluid design.

To view the full ASX announcement, click here.

Source: Tamboran Resources

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSXV: FO, AIM: FOG) is pleased to announce the commencement of stimulation campaign at the Shenandoah S2-2H ST1 (“S2-2H ST1”) and Shenandoah S2-4H (“S2-4H”) wells in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin, Northern Territory, Australia with Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited’s (“Falcon”) joint venture partner, Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited (collectively the “Beetaloo JV partners”).

Key Highlights of the Stimulation Campaign

• Stimulation campaign will be completed across:
  • S2-2H ST1’s horizontal section of 1,654 metres (5,427 feet) and;
  • S2-4H’s horizontal section of 2,977 metres (9,766 feet).
• Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT) who mobilised equipment and sand to location before the end of last year will carry out the stimulation campaign on behalf of the Beetaloo JV partners.

Shenandoah South Pilot Project (“Pilot”)

For the next drilling phase of the Pilot, which involves the drilling and stimulation of the remaining four wells, Falcon has elected to reduce its participating interest (“PI”) from 5% to 0%.

Key Highlights of the Reduced Participating Interest

• The election by Falcon to reduce its PI to 0% in the remaining four wells of the Pilot will significantly reduce it’s 2025 capital expenditure.
• Falcon participated in the Shenandoah S-1H well in 2023 at its 22.5% PI which created a Drill Spacing Unit (“DSU”) of 20,480 acres.
• Falcon participated in the S2-2H ST1 and the S2-4H wells in 2024 at its reduced 5% PI which created two DSU’s totalling 46,080 acres.
• The Beetaloo JV partners are planning on creating an enlarged area around the Pilot, known as the First Strategic Development Area (“FSDA”), which would amalgamate the acreage and PIs from the DSUs mentioned above and any further DSUs that may be created as part of the Pilot
• Depending on the ultimate size of the planned FSDA Falcon’s combined participation entitlement in the FSDA post the Pilot could be up to 10%.
• Falcon also retains a 22.5% PI in the remaining 4.52 million acres in the Beetaloo, net 1 million acres to Falcon.

To view the full press release, click here

Source: Falcon Oil & Gas

Highlights

Tamboran Resources Corporation Managing Director and CEO, Joel Riddle, said:

“The MOU between Tamboran and Santos aims to explore commercialization options for the development of DLNG Train 2 utilizing natural gas supplied from the extensive prospective gas resources within the Beetaloo Basin.

“With approximately two million net prospective acres across the Beetaloo Basin, Tamboran holds significant gas resources capable of supplying Northern Territory and Australia’s East Coast gas market for decades. With multiple commercialization pathways via LNG markets at Darwin and Gladstone and the East Coast domestic gas market, Tamboran is well positioned to assess opportunities to accelerate value for our shareholders.

“Tamboran and Santos have been partners in the EP 161 acreage, which hosts the Beetaloo East area, for more than a decade.

“We believe the shale within the deepest Beetaloo East region is on par with some of the high-quality shale qualities we have successfully unlocked in the Shenandoah South area in the Beetaloo West. The Beetaloo East is the location of the Tanumbirini wells, which were drilled and flow tested in 2022 and were the first wells in the Basin to demonstrate Marcellus Basin-style decline curves, albeit with undersized equipment, drilling and stimulation techniques.

“We look forward to advancing discussions with Santos to unlock this significant shale gas resource and contribute to the expansion of DLNG in Darwin. This development has the potential to deliver royalties to the Northern Territory Government while generating jobs and royalties for Native Title Holders in the region.”

Source: Tamboran Resources Announcements

Central Petroleum's new Mereenie production well, WM29 is now online, over one month ahead of schedule. The well flowed at 7 TJ/d during initial testing over a two hour period. WM29’s production will be limited to 6 TJ/d, which is the sustainable capacity limit of the wellhead skid - a rate that is double the pre-drill expectation of 3 TJ/d.

The flow rate achieved at WM29 takes aggregate Mereenie field production up to the pre-drill target of 30 TJ/d. The second well of the two well program, WM30, is being drilled and currently at a depth of 585m. WM30 is expected to be completed by late February, with commencement of production anticipated in early March.

Gas from WM29 is now being sold into the Northern Territory market which needs additional supply.

To view the full ASX announcement, click here.

Source: Leon Devaney, MD & CEO, Central Petroleum Limited 

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has applauded the outgoing CEO of the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet, Mr Ken Davies PSM, for his extraordinary near five decades in public service.

After an impressive 47 years, Mr Davies will retire from the public service on 3 February 2025.

“Ken began his career in the Northern Territory as a teacher at Papunya in 1978,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.

“He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a school principal in Alice Springs and Katherine, and later a regional superintendent in Tennant Creek.

“Over his remarkable career, Ken has held chief executive roles in eight agencies, including the Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services, and the Department of Education.

"He has served under every government since self-government in 1978 and has been instrumental in leading major initiatives, such as implementing the remote housing construction program and negotiating the first 10-year Stronger Futures funding agreement with the Commonwealth.”

In recognition of his dedication and service, Mr Davies was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2020.

“In 2023, Ken was appointed as the Territory’s top public servant and recently oversaw the effective transition to a new government,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.

“His leadership over nearly half a century has delivered significant economic and social policy reforms in every agency he served.

“Ken embodies the principles of impartial, frank, and fearless public service. He has always upheld the highest professional standards, demonstrating strategic vision, integrity, and a commitment to making the right decisions, even when they are the hard ones.”

Mrs Finocchiaro expressed her gratitude for his leadership during the government transition.

“I thank Ken for his hard work from day one as we charted a new course for the Territory,” she said.

“After nearly half a century of service, I hope he can now focus on catching that elusive Million Dollar Barra. I wish Ken, Bernie, and their family all the very best for the future.”

The Chief Minister also announced that Mr Luccio Cercarelli PSM will lead the public service as the CEO of the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet upon Mr Davies' retirement on 3 February 2025.

“Luccio has had a distinguished career in public service, and I look forward to working with him to deliver our government’s plan to reduce crime, rebuild the economy, and restore our Territory lifestyle,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.

Mr Cercarelli is currently the CEO of the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Community Development.

Prior to this, he served as CEO of the City of Palmerston for nearly seven years. He was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2024 for his outstanding contributions to local government.

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

The Operator of the Mereenie Joint Venture, Central Petroleum Ltd (ASX:CTP) (“Central”) has advised that the West Mereenie-29 development well has been successfully drilled and completed over the target Pacoota 3 interval. The well has been suspended pending tie-in to the Mereenie Production Station, scheduled for late January.

West Mereenie-30, the second of the two development wells was spudded on 16 January 2025.

These wells are part of the Joint Venture’s ongoing appraisal/development of the Mereenie field and are expected to return field production capacity back above 30TJ/d (Gross). The wells target a material portion of Echelon’s net 8PJ Mereenie 2P Undeveloped gas Reserves*, and we expect to bring them online in Q1 2025.

“It is good to have the first well successfully drilled, buttoned up and ready for tie-in, and the second on its way.” Echelon CEO, Andrew Jefferies says “Initial results suggest the underbalanced drilling technique the Joint Venture has been working up over the last year is paying off. All this additional gas will be swiftly tied back to existing plant and mainlined to the Northern Territory gas market, where we have a long-term contract with the Government, as well as across to the gas short East Coast. Mereenie has been a long term, reliable provider of gas to the Territory, cooking those Australia Day Pavlovas. These wells are part of the work that will see this reliable energy supply continue for decades.“

Participants in Permit OL4/OL5 are Central Petroleum Mereenie Pty Ltd as trustee of the Central Petroleum Mereenie Unit Trust (25%), Echelon Mereenie Pty Ltd (42.5%), Cue Mereenie Pty Ltd (7.5%) and Horizon Australia Energy Pty Ltd (25%). 

Source: Central Petroleum ASX Announcements

Echelon (ASX:ECH) has executed a binding Terms Sheet with London Stock Exchange listed energy company, Mosman Oil & Gas, to purchase the 100% interest in the Northern Territory onshore Exploration Permit EP145, in the Amadeus Basin and highlights:

• Purchase price of AUD400,000 cash payment
• 5 per cent royalty on Helium and Hydrogen
• Agreement subject to conditions, including FIRB and regulatory approval

To view the full ASX announcement, click here.

Source: Echelon Resources