2007 land release for petroleum exploration

The Queensland Government is releasing approximately 150,000 square kilometres of land for competitive tendering for petroleum exploration.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said that 41 areas would be available for petroleum exploration under two separate calls for tenders.

“The Adavale and Georgina Basins in central and western Queensland are included in this land release,” Mr Wilson said.

“These areas are relatively unexplored for petroleum and are considered frontier areas with potential for economic discoveries.

“There will be two separate calls for tenders which have been grouped according to those that will be and those that will not be required to undertake a native title process.

“The sixteen areas in the first call for tenders, LR2007-1, can proceed without a native title process being undertaken,” he said.

“The second call for tenders, LR2007-2, contains 25 areas with each requiring a native title process prior to grant.

Mr Wilson said the petroleum producing areas within the Bowen, Surat, Cooper and Eromanga Basins were also included in the calls for tenders.

“The release of these areas provides increased opportunities for the industry to invest in petroleum and coal seam gas exploration in Queensland,” Mr Wilson said.

“This tender process for exploration acreage is the first step towards making petroleum and coal seam gas discoveries which will enhance economic growth in Queensland.

The 2007 Petroleum Call for Tenders closes at 4.30pm on Monday 27 August 2007,” he said.

Media inquiries: Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332

More information on the petroleum land release is available on the Department of Mines and Energy website at www.dme.qld.gov.au.