Speaking at the Australian Petroleum Productions and Exploration Association (APPEA) Convention this week, Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham said the two blocks in the Surat Basin would be released in the next two months.
Any gas produced in the blocks will only be able to be sold in Australia.
“This initiative shows again that Queensland is ahead of the pack on gas supply actions,” said Dr Lynham.
“We had a positive response from the industry to the first pilot release of land in February and its clear there’s an appetite in the market to develop Queensland’s gas reserves.”
“Releasing more land will drive employment and investment in regional Queensland and eventually add to the gas currently available for domestic use.”
Dr Lynham also told APPEA members he would continue to seek funds from the Turnbull Government for a gas pipeline to open up the Galilee and Bowen Basins.
“New pipelines will help open up new potential gas producing areas like the Galilee and Bowen Basins and connect with major east coast energy users in centres like Townsville,” said Dr Lynham.
The new tenders should be awarded before the end of the year.
Successful tenders will be required to complete environmental and other requirements before any land tenure can be granted, including negotiating land access agreements with landowners and native title parties.