The Northern Territory Government has given official approval for ConocoPhillips to operate the $750 million 500 km Bayu-Undan – Darwin pipeline. This approval will allow testing of the pipeline to commence. NT Mines Minister Kon Vatskalis said he was satisfied the company has the necessary checks and balances in place to ensure a safe operation.

The pipeline will transport gas from the Bayu-Undan gas field to the Wickham Point LNG Plant where it will be processed. According to the project partners, the pipeline was almost complete in June and testing was expected to continue until September 2005.