Fracking to be monitored

THE CSIRO has begun monitoring methane levels in the Beetaloo Sub-basin under a recommendation from the independent inquiry into fracking in the Northern Territory.

The monitoring will measure the amount of naturally occurring methane in the area to determine the level of any increased emissions from future onshore fracture stimulation.

“Monitoring will provide the government and the community with robust, transparent and representative baseline measurements of background methane emissions,” Resources Minister Ken Vowles said yesterday.