Empire Energy Gets Extension for Northern Territory Shale Blocks

Empire Energy Group has extended the negotiation period for six Petroleum Exploration Permit Applications over the McArthur Basin, Northern Territory by two years to 31 October 2014.

Proactive Investors reports that the extension was made under the terms of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 by agreement between the Northern Land Council and Empire’s wholly owned subsidiary Imperial Oil & Gas. It covers EPAs 180, 181, 182, 183, 187 and 188. EPA 184 is subject to Native Title Application with negotiations with traditional owners continuing.

The McArthur Basin contains a large scale shale oil and gas exploration play in the Barney Creek Formation.

Empire noted the uniformity of shale formations should mean commercial gas flows throughout the Batten Trough of the McArthur Basin, where its permits cover about 14.5 million acres (59,000 square kilometres).