New land opens to support more gas projects and jobs

Gas industry activity is about to fire up with more than 6700 square kilometres of land available for exploration and a new explorer looking to supply Australian-only gas users.

Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham today announced 12 prospective parcels of land were now open to tender across Queensland’s resource rich Bowen and Surat basins between Blackwater and Goondiwindi.

“This is about keeping exploration moving in Queensland to support our post COVID-19 economic recovery,” Dr Lynham said.

“Queensland has been the leader in getting gas to Australian users, including our manufacturers, to fuel jobs.

“More affordable domestic gas supply will help secure more Aussie jobs across the supply chain—from the well head to the manufacturing plant.”

Queensland Regional Development and Manufacturing Minister Glenn Butcher says 872 km² of the land could only supply gas to the Australian market - good news for manufacturers and jobs.

“Gas is critical to our manufacturers as a feedstock as well as an energy source to fuel jobs,” he said.

“Already we have Senex Energy producing critical gas feedstock and energy, including to businesses like Orica at Yarwun.

“As well, Australian Pacific LNG and Armour Energy’s joint venture project near Chinchilla is set to supply gas next year to help secure around 650 manufacturing jobs in plants across Queensland.”

The land is in central and southern Queensland across five regional areas:

•          2501 km² near Rolleston 
•          2642 km²between Blackwater and Banana.
•          882 km², south of Theodore 
•          703 km², 30 km south of Moonie 
•          18 km², 15km south-west of Wandoan. 

Dr Lynham said the land was in proven highly prospective regions that are already pumping gas as part of Queensland’s $70 billion onshore gas industry.

“I expect strong interest as the Surat and Bowen basins already have gas infrastructure and any new project could plug straight in and get gas to market faster,” he said.

Gas explorer Comet Ridge has also been given the green light to start exploring east of Emerald for gas for the Australian market. Comet Ridge will seek domestic gas at its Mahlo North Project on 450 km2 of land east of Emerald. 

The new land release is part of a multi-million-dollar package, which includes rent and fee waivers, to help maintain the state’s pipeline of resources projects and jobs.

Applications are open until 2.30pm, 9 July. For information on tendering visit current tenders.  

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