Japan’s Inpex, on behalf of Ichthys joint venture participants, signed a $24 million benefits agreement with the Larrakia people in Darwin.
The Inpex Larrakia Advisory Committee, which includes representation from the Larrakia Development Corporation and Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation, will oversee the distribution of benefits to Larrakia people.
Initially, the focus is expected to be on education initiatives and on the support of the elderly members of the community, Inpex said in its statement.
Inpex, on behalf of the Ichthys joint venture already provides a scholarship program for Larrakia tertiary students to undertake studies Australian universities, a program for primary and secondary Larrakia school students and an air conditioning program for Elders and people with disabilities.
The Ichthys LNG project recently started shipping liquefied natural gas cargoes from the onshore plant near Darwin. LNG is currently being produced from the first liquefaction train, with the second train expected to start up in the coming weeks.
About 70 percent of the LNG produced by the export project will be supplied to Japanese customers.
The project is a joint venture between Inpex, major partner Total, Taiwan’s CPC Corporation and the Australian subsidiaries of Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas, Kansai Electric, Chubu Electric Power and Toho Gas.