Petroleum and coal seam gas

The petroleum industry in Queensland exceeds $1 billion in production value. Like the coal industry, Queensland's petroleum industry has a large portion of foreign ownership. For example, our liquid natural gas (LNG) industry has investment from companies in the United Kingdom, United States, China, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands and Korea. The level of petroleum exploration expenditure in Queensland was $751.6 million in 2014–15.

Growth in coal seam gas (CSG) in Queensland has been rapid over the past 15 years, peaking at 1,634 wells drilled in 2013–14. This growth will support the more than $70 billion worth of investment in 3 liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects that will produce approximately 26 million tonnes per year of LNG from 2015 onwards. This represents a quarter of the global LNG supply coming from Central Queensland and places Australia as a leading supplier of LNG.

There is significant potential for this resource to develop further, with the growth in LNG production estimated to increase the value of LNG exports from $14.7 billion in 2012–13 to $57 billion by 2018 (Source: Energy Quest Quarterly Report, March 2014).

CSG production in the Bowen (Permian Coal Measures) and Surat (Jurassic Walloon Coal Measures) basins represents more than 90% of the total gas produced in the state. Many of Queensland's basins with petroleum or coal also hold potential shale gas, tight gas or CSG resources. This includes the Laura, Maryborough, Eromanga, Cooper, Bowen, Galilee, Adavale and Georgina basins.

Find out how we approach compliance for mineral and energy resources.

Production and reserve statistics

You can download 6-monthly production and reserve statistics (from 30 June 2016) for coal seam gas, condensate, crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas. You can also download production and reserve statistics historical data (pre-30 June 2016).

Applying for a resource authority

To explore for petroleum and gas, you need an authority to prospect. You can apply through a call for tenders.

Exploration and investment resources

For more information on exploring and investing in Queensland, see the following resources.

Queensland's petroleum and gas resources and industry

• Petroleum and gas production and reserves statistics