The Australian government has unveiled 64 areas in its 2019 offshore petroleum acreage release. It is the largest release since 2000 and involves more than 120,000 sq km of acreage to be offered in a single round of work program bidding.
All areas in the release have been based on industry nominations and have been subject to a comprehensive public consultation process.
The areas are spread throughout five sedimentary basins, with the heaviest concentration off the northwest of the country. However, there also is interest in the southeast, with nominations leading to seven areas being put up for bidding in that region.
In more detail off Western Australia, Ashmore Cartier, and the Northern Territory there are 15 blocks released in the Bonaparte basin, 39 in the North Carnarvon basin (including the Exmouth Plateau), and 3 in the Browse basin. Offshore Victoria there are 5 blocks on offer in the Gippsland basin and 2 blocks in the Otway basin.
Closing dates for the work program bids is Mar. 5, 2020.
