Queensland has moved swiftly to respond to an East Coast gas crisis, fast tracking 13 new exploration projects in the last 12 months - half of which will see any gas found stay in Australia.
Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the domestic gas exploration initiatives will see far-reaching benefits for Australian manufactures and energy security for future generations.
"This week the independent regulator, the ACCC, released their gas inquiry report which shows the short and medium-term outlook for gas supply is heavily reliant on Queensland, and our ability to develop our onshore resources,’’ Dr Lynham said.
"While other states close their doors, Queensland continues to rise to the challenge to keep our manufacturers in business.
"In the last 12 months the Palaszczuk Government has approved 13 new Authority to Prospect – nearly half of which (6569km2 of new land) have a domestic gas condition which requires any gas that’s found to stay in Australia.
"The latest domestic gas approval is an Authority to Prospect for Queensland-based Armour Energy, which will see 457km2 of proven-gas rich land in the Roma Shelf opened for exploration.
"The land situated is alongside Armour’s existing Kincora project, and is close to existing infrastructure in the Wallumbilla Hub – meaning gas can flow to pipelines and get to manufacturers if and when they need it.
"Queensland also is diversifying our energy mix – with approval given this week to New Zealand company Cypress, which will see exploration for oil kick off in Moonie Fields located within the Surat Basin.
"All of the 13 ATPs approved this year have had to meet Queensland’s strict environmental, financial and land access requirements.
"Queensland gas is in demand around the world – and so our challenge has been to pull the right policy leavers to ensure we maintain the export commitments that see billions of dollars flow into the state’s economy every year, whilst also opening new land for gas for domestic use."
Dr Lynham said much of the success has been on the back of Queensland’s land release strategy – a forward looking list of opportunities which allows gas companies to put in competitive bids on the right to explore.
"This strategy provides the investment certainty that industry need and has put Queensland firmly on the map as a great place to do business."
