Brisbane-based AusGasCo has been awarded two gas exploration permits in Queensland’s Bowen and Surat basins, the state government said on February 3.  

Minister for resources Scott Stewart said first time explorer AusGasCo has been appointed preferred tenderer for two blocks, located to the east and south-east of Injune, totalling 114 km². 

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“Not only are we are doing all we can to get more gas in the market, but we are welcoming first time junior explorers to help bring more jobs and economic benefits to Queensland,” Stewart said. “In fact, during 2020 we released a total of 8,205 km² for gas exploration to maintain a pipeline of future resources projects.” 

The government said that since 2015 it has released more than 80,000 km² of land for gas exploration, over a quarter of it guaranteeing the gas will be for Australian consumers. The government is also investing A$5mn to investigate the feasibility of a physical 500-km gas transmission pipeline to connect the Bowen basin to the domestic and export markets.