The Queensland government is unlocking the development of Australia’s first oil field in 50 years at the Taroom Trough, as the government moves to secure long-term fuel security.
The first barrels of oil from the Taroom Trough are already entering the domestic supply. Shell is currently producing 200 barrels of crude oil per day, which is being transported to IOR’s Eromanga refinery to be processed into diesel.
To scale this production, the state government has launched the Taroom Trough Development Plan, which will be overseen by the Queensland Coordinator-General. It will streamline the delivery of roads and trunk infrastructure needed to transform the basin into a major energy hub.
Premier David Crisafulli said developing the Taroom Trough is critical for the nation’s long-term fuel security.
“Never again should we be left without the ability to generate domestic fuel supply, this is a generational opportunity to ensure we’re not left at the end of a global supply chain,” the Premier said.
“National fuel security is about drilling, refining and storing fuel locally for refuelling family cars, transporting food, and harvesting crops.”
The Queensland government is now calling on the federal government to recognise Taroom Trough as a project of national interest and streamline EPBC approvals through the National Interest Fast-Track Assessment Pathway. This would remove duplicated environmental approvals, allowing mass oil production to reach the market without unnecessary delay.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said he had directed the Queensland Coordinator-General to immediately prepare a Works Regulation for Governor-in-Council approval.
“Coordinated development in the Taroom Trough will increase domestic energy security, regional investment and job creation while providing certainty for approvals,” Bleijie said.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said: “This could open up Australia’s first major oil province since the 1970s – we back the potential of the Taroom Trough and we’ll continue supporting it with approvals and certainty.”
