Japanese company Inpex has rejected speculation that it may move its gas project from the Kimberley region in northern Western Australia, to the Northern Territory.

The NT Government has proposed Darwin as an alternative location to process gas from the Ichthys field in the Browse Basin.

But Inpex spokesman Sean Kildare says the Kimberley's Maret Islands are still the preferred location for its proposed LNG plant to be built in 2009.

The company will be promoting the benefits of the project to Kimberley residents at public forums this month.

Kildare says while the project will remain in Western Australia, the NT has not been ruled out for future proposals.

"Inpex is taking a long view of its development portfolio in Australia and the Ichthys field is not the only interest we have," he said.

"The Northern Territory has a significant value offering to industry that should be taken very seriously."

Copyright (c) 2006 Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.

Related Project
Ichthys LNG
Facility Type: LNG Owner: INPEX and Total
Scope: New Construction Location: Darwin, Northern Territory Australia