Queensland’s onshore gas industry is now the State’s second largest commodity export. The industry has invested $70 billion into CSG development, one of the largest commitments of private capital in Australia.
CSG is the dominant driver of drilling activity and gas production in Queensland.
Queensland has two basins currently producing CSG – the Bowen and Surat basins. CGS production is likely to continue to grow as it feeds into three export liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects based at Gladstone. Commercial production in the Bowen Basin occurs near Moranbah, Injune, Moura and Wandoan.
Outside of producing CSG and key petroleum basins, many areas of the state remain largely under-explored. Exploration for other petroleum sources such as shale gas and tight gas is only just beginning in the state. Gas in deep parts of sedimentary basins suggests that formations have potential to contain significant tight gas resources.
Tight gas exploration focuses on resources in tight sands and basin centred gas in the troughs of the Bowen and Cooper basins through deep drilling campaigns.
Shale oil and gas exploration remains at a very early stage in Queensland. Exploration focuses on the Isa Superbasin, and Georgina, Cooper and Eromanga basins.
Queensland’s 2020 Exploration Program outlines as a vital transition fuel in the move to a renewable energy future. Petroleum and gas exploration opportunities cover 12 areas and 6804 square kilometres across the the Bowen and Surat basins.