Nine new gas exploration areas have been opened up in western Queensland.
State Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said areas across the Cooper/Eromanga and Bowen/Surat basins would be investigated to boost future gas supply.
Minister Last said the new tender areas included both conventional and unconventional gas opportunities.
“Importantly, no land release areas intersect with the Lake Eyre Basin Strategic Environmental Area – Designated Precinct.”
He said as well as opening up new tenures for gas exploration a review would be held into how land was released for exploration across the resources sector.
“The targeted three-month land release review would aim to improve the efficiency and transparency of opening areas for exploration.”
Minister Last said the best way to bring down energy prices was to have more energy in the market, and that started with exploration.
“These steps are about unlocking new supply, securing an investment pipeline and getting the right policy settings in place so Queensland can lead the way on energy security.”
