Italian energy company ENI shut down its Blacktip gas field in the days leading up to Fina passing through in November, but production remains offline because of damage to its platform near Wadeye.
Northern Territory Energy Minister Gerard Maley said the government was working to protect power supplies following the shutdown. Â
The outage put significant pressure on the territory's already stretched gas supply, given Blacktip had been the NT's primary source of gas since 2009, he said.
"We do not want to alarm Territorians, but we do want you to be informed."
Blackouts are a possibility while these supply pressures continue, the minister told reporters in Darwin on Friday.
Japanese oil and gas giant Inpex has increased gas supply to help stabilise the system, and NT's Power and Water was implementing safeguards to activate to protect power supply, Mr Maley said.
The situation reinforced why Beetaloo Sub-Basin gas projects were essential to the territory's long-term energy security, he said in a statement.
"If we want affordable electricity, if we want investment, if we want reliable power for our homes, hospitals and businesses well into the future, then we need the Beetaloo."
Plans to tap the Beetaloo for gas have been controversial and sparked strong opposition from environmental groups.
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