Queensland state in Australia releases more land for gas exploration

The Australian state of Queensland has opened five parcels of land covering more than 1,500km² to tender for gas exploration.

The land parcels are located in the state’s resource-rich Bowen and Surat basins that lie between Moonie and Injune.

According to the local government, tenders are open until 3 September and are expected to be finalised by the end of this year.

Queensland Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said: “It’s essential that we keep exploration underway to identify the resources projects and jobs of the future as we emerge from Covid-19.

“Gas explorers have already expressed interest on these parcels of land previously, so it makes sense to open them for tender.

“Queensland has a plan for our economy to ‘unite and recover for Queensland jobs’. 

“Part of that plan is building on our traditional strengths like the resources industry and maintaining a pipeline of projects is essential.”

Last month, Queensland opened 12 parcels of land covering more than 6,700km² to tender for gas exploration. These land parcels are located in the Bowen and Surat basins between Blackwater and Goondiwindi.

According to Queensland Regional Development and Manufacturing Minister Glenn Butcher, 872km² of the land among the total acreage of the 12 areas could only supply gas to the Australian market.

Last month, Australian oil and gas producing firms Santos and Denison Gas secured new gas exploration permits in the proven gas fields of Queensland.

In March 2018, the Queensland Government awarded further petroleum exploration acreage to Armour Energy and Central Petroleum in an attempt to boost supply to the east coast gas market.