Australia has released 64 areas for offshore oil and gas exploration in the 2019 Offshore Petroleum Acreage Release, representing the largest rollout of acreage in 19 years. Bidding will be open until 5 March 2020 with over 120,000km² released for a single round of work program bidding. Australia Minister for Resources Matt Canavan said the latest release was the first under a new streamlined system designed to deliver an annual investment cycle that “simplifies bidding, offers greater transparency and responds faster to the market demand”.
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More gas will be needed to offset State’s renewable energy splurge, says Blue Energy
Queensland and NT explorer Blue Energy has weighed into Australia’s power struggle, saying the company believes the “misguided headlong rush” into renewable energy’s role in the national power grid will both stimulate gas exploration and spike energy prices in the country. In it’s June quarter activities report released recently, Blue Energy managing director John Phillips commented that despite the May federal election providing continuity of Government, the States still hold the balance of power when it comes to energy source, supply and distribution.
Oil and gas industry gives thumbs up to red tape reform
Australia’s oil and gas industry has welcomed the announcement that the Productivity Commission would undertake a comprehensive fact-based review of regulation in the resources sector to identify best practice reforms for Australia. APPEA Chief Executive Andrew McConville congratulated the Australian Government and Resources Minister Matt Canavan for launching the 12-month review to highlight unnecessary green and red tape. “This process is an important opportunity to develop and encourage regulatory reform as part of long-term policy approach for Australia’s resources sector, which is a key driver for the nation’s economic prosperity,” Mr McConville said.
Woodside energy stimulus for WA mining
Woodside has entered into a long-term gas sale and purchase agreement with Worsley Alumina Joint Venture for the supply of approximately 40 PJ of pipeline gas. The gas is being supplied to the joint venture from Woodside’s portfolio of domestic gas facilities, including the North West Shelf, Pluto and Wheatstone. Worsley Alumina Joint Venture is held by South32 (86%), Japan Alumina Associates (10%) and Sojitz (4%). Woodside Executive Vice President Marketing Trading & Shipping, Reinhardt Matisons welcomed the agreement to supply gas to the Worsley Alumina integrated mining and refining complex in Western Australia’s south west.
Hibiscus to decide on Gippsland exploration with 3D Oil
Malaysian oil and gas independent Hibiscus Petroleum has secured an option to become a joint venture partner with 3D Oil to acquire up to a 50 per cent non-operated interest in the VIC/P74 permit in the offshore Gippsland Basin. Hibiscus announced this development to the market after 3D Oil was awarded the permit for VIC/P74 last week by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA). The 1006km2 permit is located on the southern side of the Gippsland Basin, adjacent to the world class Kingfish oilfield.
Path ‘now clear for NT onshore shale gas exploration’
Santos has welcomed the company’s approval for the first Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to be awarded for onshore shale gas exploration in the Northern Territory since the moratorium was lifted in early 2018. NT Environment and Natural Resources Minister Eva Lawler approved Santos’ Drilling EMP for the Tanumbirini 2H and Inacumba 1/1H wells in Exploration Permit 161 in the McArthur Basin, east of Daly Waters. Santos is operator of, and has a 75 per cent interest in, the permit.
APPEA lauds CSIRO report confirming emissions benefits from CSG-LNG life cycle
A landmark report by the CSIRO’s Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance (GISERA) confirms the greenhouse gas emissions benefits from increased use of natural gas in domestic and export markets. GISERA is a collaboration between CSIRO, Commonwealth and state governments and industry established to undertake publicly-reported independent research. The report Whole of Life Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment of a Coal Seam Gas to Liquefied Natural Gas Project analysed life cycle emissions, including extraction, transportation and usage of coal seam gas (CSG) in Queensland’s Surat Basin.
APPEA Connect Series: 2019 Offshore Petroleum Acreage Release
APPEA, in collaboration with the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science will host an APPEA Connect Series Event to mark the launch of the 2019 Offshore Petroleum Exploration Acreage Release. In an APPEA first, the session will be live-streamed around the world for participants who cannot attend in person. This is the first release of areas under the new streamlined acreage release model. The Department will officially announce the 2019 areas, and provide a snapshot of the new approach – as well as the analysis undertaken to support it.
Colombia had highest oil and gas discoveries in Q2 2019
Colombia led globally with seven oil and gas discoveries in the second quarter of 2019, followed by India, Russia and Pakistan with three each, according to data and analytics company GlobalData. GlobalData’s reveals that of Colombia’s seven onshore discoveries, five were conventional oil and two were conventional gas. The two conventional gas discoveries were made in Lower Magdalena Valley basin and the three conventional oil discoveries were made in Putumayo basin, with the remaining in Llanos Orientales basin.
Total E&P Congo successfully deploys “world’s first” cementless completion
Welltec has announced a “world first” deployment of a truly cementless completion in the Republic of Congo during the second quarter of 2019. The company said that “building on the experience gained through the continuous deployment of the Welltec® Annular Barrier (WAB®) in the Moho North Albian field, Total E&P Congo has pushed the boundaries of Metal Expandable Annular Sealing technology even further by deploying the world’s first cementless completion using the Welltec® Annular Isolation (WAITM) in open hole.