The release, in the state’s south-west corner, has been billed by the government as underpinning the $A1.9 billion gas industry, while supporting future domestic gas supplies for Queensland and its LNG export industry.
“New discoveries of gas resources will support future domestic gas supplies for Queensland as well as our world-leading liquefied natural gas industry,”? Queensland Minister for State Development and Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham said.
“The Cooper and Eromanga Basins contain vast petroleum and gas resources and are considered among Australia’s most prospective and commercially-viable regions for deep gas and oil development.
“Into the bargain, Queensland offers potential investors access to $A70 billion worth of infrastructure in pipelines, processing facilities and liquefaction plants.”?
Dr Lynham said the Department of Natural Resources was targeting potential explorers and investors in Europe, North America and Asia through international industry media and events.
The Cooper and Eromanga Basins (PLR2015-2) area covers about 11,000 sq km in size in the remote, sparsely populated south-west corner bounded by Windorah, Betoota, Eromanga and the South Australian border.
“This is the first of a four-year land release plan for the Copper and Eromanga Basins and is designed to attract junior and major explorers,”? Dr Lynham said.
The Surat Basin (PLR2015-1) area is about 6 sq km of high-prospective land, 22 km south-east of Condamine.
“This is close to the existing operations and infrastructure of both QGC and APLNG. QGC will tomorrow commission its first plant at Gladstone, APLNG is projecting it will export its first LNG in October, and Santos GLNG is set for export in the third quarter of 2015,”? Dr Lynham said.
Tenders close 8 October 2015.