Queensland Opens Two Gas Acreages for Exploration

Queensland has opened two gas exploration areas in the Bowen and Surat basins for tender.

The two petroleum and gas exploration areas released by the Queensland government include 86km² in Bowen basin with prospectivity for coalbed methane and 365km² of land with moderate to high prospectivity for conventional, liquids-rich gas, covering both the Bowen and Surat basins.

In recent years Queensland has seen tremendous growth in coalbed methane based LNG projects. LNG exports are expected to strengthen considerably over the next two years and become the state’s second largest export. However, Queensland is exception to trend currently prevailing in Australia. A few states have completely banned exploration of coalbed methane due to protest from community and environmental groups.

Natural resources and mines minister Anthony Lynham (Credit: Queensland government)

Australia’s top oil and gas body has hailed this move to open coalbed methane acreage for exploration. "The new acreage gives the industry more options to supply the growing demand for gas and is further proof of Queensland’s leading role in the Australian industry," said the CEO of Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Malcolm Roberts adding that recent reforms undertaken by the state have improved the transparency of acreage releases, ensuring early and open consultation with the community long before any exploration begins.

Shardul Sharma