Gas Exploration Tenders Open in Queensland

Posted on 01/06/2020

Twelve potential areas of land, totalling over 6700 square kilometres, are now open to tender for the contract to explore the gas reserves in Queensland’s Bowen and Surat Basins.

Dr Anthony Lynham, Queensland mines minister, said “this is about keeping exploration moving in Queensland to support our post COVID-19 economic recovery”.

“Queensland has been the leader in getting gas to Australian users, including our manufacturers, to fuel jobs.

“More affordable domestic gas supply will help secure more Aussie jobs across the supply chain — from the well head to the manufacturing plant.”

Regional Development and Manufacturing Minister, Glenn Butcher, commented on the 872km2 of the land that could supply gas to the Australian market, a piece of good news for manufacturers. He said.

“Gas is critical to our manufacturers as a feedstock as well as an energy source to fuel jobs,” Mr Butcher said.

“Already, we have Senex Energy producing critical gas feedstock and energy, including to businesses like Orica at Yarwun.

“As well, Australian Pacific LNG and Armour Energy’s joint venture project near Chinchilla is set to supply gas next year to help secure around 650 manufacturing jobs in plants across Queensland.”

The land is in central and southern Queensland across five regional areas:

•       2501 km2 near Rolleston
•       2642 km2between Blackwater and Banana.

•       882 km2, south of Theodore 
•       703 km2, 30km south of Moonie 
•       18 km2, 15km south-west of Wandoan. 

Lynham illustrated that the land was in proven highly prospective regions that are already instrumental in Queensland’s $70 billion onshore gas industry.

“I expect strong interest as the Surat and Bowen Basins already have gas infrastructure and any new project could plug straight in and get gas to market faster,” Dr Lynham said.

APPEA Chief Executive, Mr McConville, said Queensland has led the development of onshore gas fields for decades and continues to do the heavy lifting to meet Australia’s growing needs.

“Queensland should be congratulated for continuing to see the economic benefits that flow to their communities from developing and using natural gas, especially in these challenging times,” Mr McConville said.

Gas exploration firm Comet Ridge has also been given the go ahead to start discovering east of Emerald for gas for the Australian market. Comet Ridge will seek domestic gas at its Mahlo North Project on 450km2 of land east of Emerald. 

The new land release is part of a multi-million-dollar, which includes rent and fee waivers, to help maintain the state’s pipeline of resources projects and jobs.

Applications close 2.30pm on July 9.