Queensland Opens More Land for Gas Exploration
Queensland government June 8 said it will open another 1500 km2 of area in the state for gas exploration. The tenders are open until September 3 and should be finalised before the end of the year.
Mines minister Anthony Lynham said five parcels would to be released for tender on June 18 around Moonie and Injune in the Surat and Bowen Basins.
“It’s essential that we keep exploration underway to identify the resources projects and jobs of the future as we emerge from Covid-19,” Lynham said. “Gas explorers have already expressed interest on these parcels of land previously, so it makes sense to open them for tender.”
The release comes just weeks before exploration tenders close for 12 areas across more than 6,700 km2 of land in the south and central west. The 12 areas, open to tender July 9, lie between Blackwater and Goondiwindi. They include 872 km2 of land designated for gas supply to the domestic market only.
“Gas is critical to our manufacturers as a feedstock as well as an energy source to fuel jobs,” Lynham said. “Already we have Senex Energy producing critical gas for industry and energy, and Australian Pacific LNG and Armour Energy’s joint venture project near Chinchilla will supply gas next year to manufacturing plants across Queensland.
Last month, the state government awarded new gas exploration tenders in Surat and Bowen Basins to Santos and Denison Gas.