The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) says the Federal Budget has reaffirmed the vital and significant contribution liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports play in sustaining Australia’s economic growth. APPEA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said the government has recognised the critical role the oil and gas industry plays in supporting the Australian economy by providing energy security and exports. This follows the release of the March Resources and Energy Quarterly, which found in 2018-19, Australia’s LNG export earnings are forecast to reach $50 billion, an $18 bi... more

The Western Australian Government, in partnership with The University of Western Australia (UWA), will soon develop a world-first microscale liquified natural gas (LNG) plant, as part of an LNG Futures Facility in Kwinana. Premier Mark McGowan made the announcement in Shanghai at the 19th International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG19). The plant will have the capacity to produce up to 10 tonnes of LNG per day and will be used by energy companies, contractors, service providers and small-to-medium businesses to test and refine new technologies at an industrial scale in a live pl... more

The Queensland Government has put pressure on Canberra for new pipeline funding to bring more Queensland gas to market. Mines and Energy Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham has written to his Federal counterpart, repeating his call in Parliament for the Federal Government to investigate new gas pipelines from the Galilee and Northern Bowen basins. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) backed new gas infrastructure in its latest ‘Gas Statement of Opportunities'  report. The report highlighted that further investment in existing reserves or alternative gas supply infrastructure developments (such as additi... more

Woodside and the Australian Space Agency have signed a 'Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation', aimed at enhancing the capability and competitiveness of Australian industry and promoting technology transfer between the space sector and the oil and gas sector. Australia’s Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the agreement will provide opportunities for research and development, capability training and technology transfer. “Woodside is currently expanding its capabilities in remote operations and technologies. Once commercialised, these technologies will not only have ... more

BP has established a $100 million fund for projects that will deliver new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions in its Upstream oil and gas operations. The new Upstream Carbon Fund will provide significant further support to BP’s work generating sustainable GHG emissions reductions in its operations.  In April 2018, BP set clear, near-term and specific targets aimed at reducing its emissions and advancing the energy transition, including achieving 3.5 million tonnes of sustainable GHG emissions reductions across the BP Group from 2016 to 2025 and targeting a methane intensity of 0.2 per cent. Since ... more

All environment plans for offshore oil and gas activities will soon be published and draft environment plans for offshore seismic and exploratory drilling activities will be open for public comment, under changes to Australian environmental regulations this week. Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Matt Canavan announced the changes on Tuesday, stating that the new requirements were part of a suite of changes to improve consultation and increase transparency of offshore oil and gas activities. “Australians need to be confident that oil and gas activities being carried out offshore meet our str... more

Political tensions across the globe provided commodity markets cause for concern throughout 2018, but this was not enough to offset a bumper year for the Western Australian resources industry. Western Australia’s mineral and petroleum industry experienced record sales of $127.4 billion in 2018, according to new statistics by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. This eclipsed the previous calendar year record value of $116 billion set in 2013 and was greater than the financial year record of $123 billion set in 2013-14. The bulk of the almost $18 billion year-on-year increase was at... more