AUSTRALIAN STATE OPENS UP 4200 SQUARE MILES FOR EXPLORATION
THE GOVERNMENT OF QUEENSLAND in northeastern Australia is seeking interest from around the globe in exploring for potentially rich petroleum and gas resources in the Australian state's far southwestern corner.
Dr. Anthony Lynham, Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, announced June 29 that 11,000 square kilometers (approximately 4247 square miles) was being released to gauge possible exploration interest.
"New discoveries of gas resources will support future domestic gas supplies for Queensland as well as our world-leading liquefied natural gas industry," Lynham said. "The Cooper and Eromanga Basins contain vast petroleum and gas resources and are considered among Australia's most prospective and commercially-viable regions for deep gas and oil development."
Queensland is offering potential investors access to $70 billion worth of infrastructure in pipelines, processing facilities, and liquefaction plants.
Lynham added that the Department of Natural Resources was targeting potential explorers and investors in Europe, North America, and Asia through international industry media and events.
Most of the land being made available is in the Cooper and Eromanga Basins, with one small area of highly prospective land in the Surat Basin.
The Cooper and Eromanga Basins (PLR2015-2) area covers about 11,000 square kilometers in size in the remote, sparsely populated southwest corner bounded by Windorah, Betoota, Eromanga, and the South Australian border.
This is the first of a four-year land release plan for the Cooper and Eromanga Basins and is designed to attract junior and major explorers.
The Surat Basin (PLR2015-1) area is about 6 square kilometers (2.3 square miles) of purportedly highly prospective land, 22 kilometers (8.5 miles) southeast Condamine.
"This is close to the existing operations and infrastructure of both QGC and APLNG," said Lynham. QGC recently commissioned its first plant at Gladstone, and APLNG is projecting it will export its first LNG in October. Santos GLNG is set for export in the third quarter of 2015.
Further exploration and development represents a new and significant opportunity for regional development and jobs - including in the Barcoo, Diamantina, Bulloo, and Quilpie shires, according to the announcement.
"The Labor Government intends to put Queensland back on course for long-term, sustainable growth by working with industry to deliver jobs, regional development opportunities, and other economic benefits for our state," said Lynham.
The CSG-LNG industry operates under a strong regulatory framework, strict environmental conditions, and land access conduct and compensation requirements put in place by the government.
The governments of Australia and Queensland have been promoting these exploration opportunities at key international events such as the World Gas Conference in Paris in June and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) national conference and exhibition in Melbourne, also in June.
Successful tenderers will be granted a petroleum and gas Authority to Prospect exploration permit for a six-year term after meeting environmental, land access and any native title requirements.
The Cooper and Eromanga Basins competitive tender will not include a cash component and applicants will be assessed according to their proposed exploration work programs.
The Surat Basin competitive tender for the parcel of land near Condamine will, however, include a cash component because it is highly prospective and close to existing coal seam gas production leases.
The closing date for tenders is 8 October 2015.
