PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland government has appointed first-time explorer AusGasCo CSG as the preferred tenderer to explore for gas on two blocks in the Bowen and Surat basins.
“Not only are we are doing all we can to get more gas in the market, but we are welcoming first time junior explorers to help bring more jobs and economic benefits to Queensland,” Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said.
“In fact, during 2020 we released a total of 8 205 km2 for gas exploration to maintain a pipeline of future resources projects. These blocks were released during Covid-19 as part of the government’s economic plan for recovery.
“These were sought after due to their proximity to existing gas pipeline infrastructure and processing facilities,” he said.
AusGasCo chairperson Frank Connolly said the board and team were excited to be awarded preferred tenderer for the two parcels, which would be foundation tenures for the company as a new entrant in the Queensland energy industry.
“I commend the government's confidence in junior explorers, promoting near-term Queensland petroleum exploration and encouraging private investment in the sector.
“It will benefit the local communities and businesses of central Queensland, the Queensland energy market and the Queensland economy. The two tenures are complemented by their location next to a number of quality, producing coal seam gas fields with multiple domestic gas transmission pipelines nearby.”
Since 2015 the state government has released more than 80 000 km2 of land for gas exploration, over a quarter of it guaranteeing the gas will be for Australian consumers.
The government is also investing A$5-million to investigate the feasibility of a physical 500 km gas transmission pipeline to connect the Bowen basin to the domestic and export markets.