Current land releases for exploration

Tenders PLR2023-1 for petroleum and gas exploration and CLR2023-1 for coal exploration closed on Wednesday 20 December 2023.

The 2023 land release schedule (PDF, 525KB) identifies competitive tender areas being released for petroleum/gas and coal exploration. It includes specific details on the location of each exploration tender area and the timing of the competitive tender processes.

All tender areas have been developed from industry expressions of interest (EOIs). While not all of the EOIs have been included in this Queensland Exploration Program (QEP), they may, where appropriate, be considered for a future land release.

Details for each tender area, including considerations and constraints, are included in the competitive tendering document package. This package is made available via QTenders during the tender period.

To receive updates and information on future land releases and upcoming tenders, subscribe to our mailing list.

The 2023 land release schedule (PDF, 525KB) provides the information below in a downloadable format.

Table 1: 2023 QEP land release schedule

Tender releaseCommodity Tender open Tender close Tender outcome
PLR2023-1 Petroleum / gas
(7 areas)
October 2023 December 2023 April 2024
CLR2023-1 Coal
(2 areas)
October 2023 December 2023 April 2024

Maps showing the location of the areas included in the tender releases, and information on individual tender areas, are included in the following sections. The maps identify and include relevant geological basins; however, note that basin boundaries shown are indicative only.

Further details on the tender areas will be provided in the call for tender document package available via QTenders during the tender opening period.

Petroleum exploration areas

PLR2023-1 includes 7 tender areas across the Bowen Basin. The tender areas provide opportunities for coal seam gas and for conventional and unconventional oil and gas exploration.

Table 2: PLR2023-1 tender release

Tender releaseSizeLocationCommodity
PLR2023-1-1** 66km2
(21 sub-blocks)
70km south-east of Emerald (2 areas),
Bowen Basin
  • Coal seam gas
PLR2023-1-2 465km2
(149 sub-blocks)
18km south of Rolleston,
Bowen Basin
  • Coal seam gas
  • Conventional gas
PLR2023-1-3 2024km2
(652 sub-blocks)
65km south south-east of Moura,
Bowen Basin
  • Conventional gas
  • Unconventional gas
PLR2023-1-4 238km2
(77 sub-blocks)
50km north north-west of Injune,
Bowen Basin
  • Coal seam gas
  • Conventional gas
PLR2023-1-5* 480km2
(156 sub-blocks)
10km north-west of Injune,
Bowen Basin
  • Coal seam gas
  • Conventional gas
PLR2023-1-6* 154km2
(50 sub-blocks)
20km north of Wandoan,
Bowen Basin
  • Coal seam gas
  • Unconventional gas
PLR2023-1-7 526km2
(173 sub-blocks)
110km north-east of St George (3 areas),
Bowen/Surat basins
  • Conventional oil and gas
  • Unconventional gas

*Condition: Australian Market Supply Condition

**The ATP for the area will propose to exclude land under Mining Lease tenure. It is anticipated that any decision to grant an ATP for the area will involve consideration of a proposal to exclude land from the area of the ATP to the extent the land is within the boundaries of Mining leases ML1779, ML1799 and ML1771.

Map of Queensland showing the 2023 QEP Release areas for Petroleum and Gas

Petroleum and gas exploration tender areas – PLR2023-1 tender release

Coal exploration areas

CLR2023-1 includes 2 areas and will provide a successful tenderer with the opportunity to investigate coal reserves within the geological formations underlying the tender areas, located within the Bowen Basin.

Table 3: CLR2023-1 tender release

Tender releaseSizeLocationCommodity
CLR2023-1-1 22km2
(7 sub-blocks)
15km east of Glenden (2 areas),
Bowen Basin
  • Metallurgical coal
  • Thermal coal
CLR2023-1-2 82km2
(26 sub-blocks)
20km north-west and south-west of Rolleston (4 areas),
Bowen Basin
  • Thermal coal
Map of Queensland showing the 2023 QEP Release areas for Coal

Coal exploration tender areas – CLR2023-1 tender release

Contact us

Email resources-tenders@resources.qld.gov.au or phone +61 7 3096 6191 for help and information about exploration opportunities.

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