Explorers have been invited by the Queensland Government to ‘stake their claim’ on more than 7,000 square kilometres of land in Queensland’s world-class Bowen and Surat Basins.

Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert, said the 12 petroleum and gas exploration areas that are up for grabs as part of the 2020 Queensland Exploration Program are in prime spots located near infrastructure to get gas from the well to Queensland’s export ports.

The tender areas provide opportunities for CSG and other unconventional gas, and for conventional oil and gas exploration. The areas are supported by a network of regional centres and existing infrastructure, providing access to labour and essential services.

The Bowen and Surat basins are serviced and connected by established energy infrastructure (including pipelines, compression and processing facilities) with access to both the east coast domestic and export gas markets.

Explorers will also have the potential to get more gas to Australian businesses with some gas areas marked for domestic supply only.

Mines Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham, noted that from September 2017 to September 2019 annual exploration investment in Queensland had risen by 27 per cent.

“For Queensland to remain a resources powerhouse and to meet the world’s demand for resources exploration investment is critical,” Dr Lynham said.

“To keep exploration moving we have released a record 64,000 square kilometres in our previous three exploration programs.”

“Like our previous land releases our 2020 Queensland Exploration Program gives explorers a clear line of sight so they can invest in confidence,” the Minister commented.

In the 2020 program, the proposed tenders are scheduled to open for petroleum in April, with land awarded to successful bidders by September 2020.

In the 12 months to November 2019, Queensland’s resources industry generated more than $70 billion in exports and directly employed more than 66,000 workers.

“This exploration program release supports the building of the next pipeline of resource projects,” Dr Lynham said.

Further information about the 2020 Queensland Exploration Program can be found here.

Image courtesy of the Queensland Government’s Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.