Petroleum Titles

The Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources administers petroleum exploration and production activities within the Northern Territory.

The Petroleum Titles Group administers:

• Petroleum exploration and production titles within the Northern Territory including Territory waters
• Petroleum exploration and production titles in Commonwealth waters adjacent to the NT and in the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands offshore area both on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia. And Energy Pipeline Titles (offshore and onshore).

Commonwealth waters are administered under a Northern Territory/Commonwealth joint administration arrangement and in accordance with Government policy and Legislative guidelines.

In addition to administering the Offshore Petroleum Act 2006, NT Petroleum Act, PSLA (NT) and Energy Pipelines Act, the division works collaboratively with the Native Title Group to assist in the administrative processes related to the Native Title Act and Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act.

While general access is limited, comprehensive title details are available to registered users. Registration for TIS is free and available to anyone by faxing the completed Registration Form to the Division on (08) 8981 7106. An online tenure query system provides information on all current mineral and petroleum titles.

General information is available from the Department's Titles Information page, or comprehensive explanatory notes may be obtained from our Forms and Guidelines page.

Last Updated: 1 September 2008