Current land releases for exploration

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, will be included in the competitive tendering document package. This package will be made available via QTenders once the tender process opens.

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

Table 1: 2023 QEP land release schedule

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 which will be made available via QTenders when the tender process is opened.

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. The areas are also supported by a network of regional centres and existing infrastructure, providing access to labour and essential services.

Table 2: PLR2023-1 tender release

*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.

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

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.

Also consider...

• Request that an area be considered for future exploration programs.
• Find out about the competitive tendering process.
• View current tenders for exploration.