$33 million helium plant an Australian first

Australia's first helium plant will be built in the Northern Territory, after a $33 million project was finalised between BOC and Darwin LNG.

"Gas is the future for the territory, and this helium plant in Darwin shows why it has so much potential," said NT chief minister Clare Martin.

"Our deep port, rail line and potential gas supplies in the Timor Sea area make Darwin an attractive option for investors."

Martin said that Darwin was now established as Australia's second international gas hub, with the LNG plant at Wickham Point in production and exporting to Japan.

"The helium plant is another step towards establishing the city as a gas manufacturing base," she said.

Other projects could be based on ammonia, methanol, olefins and their derivatives, with production of goods ranging from garden furniture to casings for mobile phones.