Latest News — Gas Today — The magazine for Australia’s natural gas industry

The well delivery revolution

The boom of North American shale discoveries and the bust of natural gas prices have taken center stage recently, and with declining oil and gas consumption, there is a very real possibility of United States energy independence. The potential profit opportunity is considerable, but traditional approaches to reservoir development and production will not maximise the value of these shale plays. Unconventional developments require placing a premium on speed, predictability and cost management.

Confidence in Victoria’s gas future despite fraccing stalemate

$Confidence in Victoria’s gas future despite fraccing stalemate$ Lakes Oil, the oldest listed Australian oil and gas explorer still operating in the country, faced a setback in August 2012 after the Victorian Government enforced a moratorium on fracture stimulation throughout the state. Gas Today speaks with Lakes Oil Executive Chairman Rob Annells about the impact of the moratorium on the company, and his optimism for the future.

Taking on legal challenges for resource exploration in Queensland

More than 93 per cent of Australia’s current 2P reserves are found in Queensland, making the state a treasure trove for gas explorers. However, new legislation and increasing regulation of the industry has created a challenging legal landscape.

The road ahead for unconventional oil and gas in SA

The development of South Australia’s nascent unconventional gas industry will take considerable knowledge, time and stakeholder engagement in order to maximise its potential benefits. Speaking to Gas Today, SA Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy Executive Director – Energy Resources Barry Goldstein outlines the production of the Roadmap for Unconventional Gas Projects in South Australia and the huge opportunities that await the central state.

Growing Australia’s shale potential – a legal perspective

K&L Gates Partner Fiona Melville has specialised in the energy and resources industry for over 16 years. Here, Ms Melville speaks to Gas Today on the opportunities that shale gas offers Australia and the legal considerations for companies wishing to further expand or enter Australia's lucrative shale exploration and extraction business.

Looking at the future of gas: Paul Waterman

Michigan-born BP Australasia President Paul Waterman shared with Gas Today his thoughts on the natural gas industry’s greatest achievements so far, as well as what BP sees in the industry’s future.

AGL to expand monitoring program at Camden

Thu, 31 January 2013 AGL Energy will expand its water and air quality monitoring program at its Camden Gas Project, located in New South Wales, and the proposed Northern Expansion, in response to concerns raised by local members of Parliament and the local community.

Gov to introduce national mandatory petroleum statistics reporting regime

Tue, 29 January 2013 Federal Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson has confirmed that the Federal Government will introduce a national mandatory reporting regime for petroleum statistics.

SA releases unconventional gas roadmap

Thu, 20 December 2012 South Australia Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Tom Koutsantonis has released the Roadmap for Unconventional Gas Projects in South Australia at the University of Adelaide’s Australian School of Petroleum, making SA the first Australian state to finalise a comprehensive approach to developing its vast unconventional gas resources.

Petroleum production reaches record levels: EnergyQuest

Thu, 6 December 2012 Australian petroleum production has reached record levels in the latest September quarter, according to EnergyQuest.

New e-book highlights legal challenges of QLD exploration

Thu, 29 November 2012 Carter Newell has released its inaugural Explorer’s Guide to Queensland, which highlights legal issues and challenges associated with exploration in Queensland.

Gasfields Commission Bill introduced to QLD Parliament

Wed, 28 November 2012 The Queensland Government has introduced the Gasfields Commission Bill 2012 to the Queensland Parliament. The bill aims to improve the co-existence between resource companies, landholders and communities.

Understand the global natural gas and shale markets

Tue, 27 November 2012 The Gas Today online shop has recently added two reports which will help you understand the global natural gas and shale markets.

APPEA “diappointed” by offshore acreage cash bidding

Thu, 15 November 2012 The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association has stated that it is “disappointed” by the Federal Government’s announcement that it will introduce cash bidding as a basis for awarding offshore exploration acreage in “mature areas”.

Gas leaders take part in new industry publication

Thu, 8 November 2012 A number of leading gas companies are participating in Australia’s Gas Leaders 2013, a new publication that will feature forecasts, profiles, and company information about Australia’s foremost gas innovators, thinkers and captains of industry.

Bonaparte FLNG gets environmental green light

Fri, 26 October 2012 GDF SUEZ Bonaparte and venture partner Santos Offshore have received environmental approval to develop the Bonaparte Floating LNG Project, subject to 15 conditions.

New petroleum acreage released in WA

Thu, 25 October 2012 Western Australia’s Department of Mines and Petroleum has announced the availability of petroleum acreage in the state’s Canning Basin, North Carnarvon Basin, and Perth Basin.

New map depicts key CSG activity in Queensland

Thu, 25 October 2012 The CSG industry has defied the recent global economic downturn and remains at the forefront of Queensland’s petroleum industry, according to the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.

Comet Ridge: blazing through eastern Australia’s CSG

In July 2012, Comet Ridge signed a three-stage farm-in agreement with Queensland Energy Resources to earn an interest in the Lake Galilee Farm-in Area. Gas Today interviewed Comet Ridge Managing Director Tor McCaul to find out what this development means for the company, how coal mining companies and gas developers can work together, and his tips on maintaining positive relationships with landholders.

Compensation – is it time to shift the way we think?

Land access has emerged as one of the gas industry’s greatest and most public challenges over the past five years. Despite dramatic improvements, a great deal still needs to be done by industry, industry associations, suppliers and regulators to stay up to speed with the evolving issues facing the sector. A key area for improvement that may require a paradigm shift in thinking focuses on compensation, and – more specifically – how we assess compensation.

Preparing to process at Red Gully

Since the 'back-to-back' discovery of gas and condensate at two exploration wells in Western Australia, Empire Oil and Gas and its joint venture partners have decided upon and begun construction of the Red Gully Gas and Condensate Processing Facility, which will supply gas to Alcoa and condensate to BP.

Single-source natural gas processing solutions

Exterran is a global provider of products and services to the oil and gas industries, providing solutions for production, processing, compressions, critical processes, water treatments as well as aftermarket parts and services.

Key Petroleum: unlocking Australia’s gas potential

Following its appointment of a new board, Perth-based oil and gas exploration company Key Petroleum has refreshed its technical strategy to maximise its success in Western Australia’s Canning and Perth basins. Key Petroleum Managing Director Kane Marshall speaks with Gas Today about how the company's approach has changed, and what it expects in the year ahead.

QLD tenement bidding to become more competitive

Thu, 11 October 2012 A new competitive cash bidding process will apply to companies seeking the right to explore on highly prospective coal, petroleum and gas resources tenements in Queensland.

Australia to be biggest global LNG producer by 2017: GBI Research

Wed, 3 October 2012 Australia is set to overtake Qatar as the biggest global producer of LNG by 2017, due to the big spending of oil and gas firms and a focus on deepwater drilling, according to a new study from natural resources analysts Global Business Intelligence Research.