Federal approval of 1,600+ new gas wells in Queensland’s Surat/Bowen basins until 2081
Consensus Summary
The federal government has approved a massive expansion of coal seam gas extraction in Queensland’s Surat and Bowen basins, allowing up to 1,695 new wells and extensive pipeline infrastructure under the Australia Pacific LNG project. The approval, valid until 2081, is framed by proponents as essential for energy security and job creation, with the project supplying both domestic and export markets. While both sources agree on the scale of the project—including its joint venture partners, environmental conditions, and economic investments—they differ on operational timelines and emissions impacts. The Guardian emphasizes the project’s carbon footprint, estimating 120 million tonnes of emissions over its lifetime, and criticizes the approval as inconsistent with climate goals, while ABC highlights job benefits and existing environmental safeguards. Critics argue the expansion prolongs fossil fuel dependence, despite Australia’s net-zero commitments, while supporters stress its role in meeting current energy demands.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The federal government approved up to 1,695 new gas wells in Queensland’s Surat and Bowen basins, valid until 2081.
- The Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) project involves 1,545 kilometres of pipelines and three processing facilities across the Surat and Bowen basins.
- APLNG is a joint venture between US firm ConocoPhillips, Australian company Origin Energy, and Chinese operator Sinopec.
- The project is estimated to produce about 2,033 petajoules of gas over its lifetime, with 9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions during construction and operation.
- The approval includes 120–126 environmental conditions covering threatened species, vegetation clearing, water resources, and chemical risk assessments.
- Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in 2024.
- APLNG has invested over $60 billion in the region since 2011 and paid $5.2 billion in taxes, royalties, and levies since 2016.
- The project will supply both domestic and export markets, with a focus on Australia’s east coast gas needs.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The approval covers a region roughly bounded by Rolleston (north), Wandoan (east), Tara (south), and Injune (west).
- The Surat and Bowen basins hold Australia’s largest-known proven natural gas reserves.
- Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King stated the project would ‘strengthen gas supply and create jobs’ and support domestic gas markets.
- An Origin spokesperson mentioned 1,462 conduct and compensation agreements with landholders.
- The Climate Council’s Ben McLeod criticized the 2081 approval as ‘shocking’ given Australia’s net-zero targets by 2050.
- The approval includes protections for water resources and independent environmental audits.
- The project’s public environment report estimated 9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions during construction and operation, plus 111 million tonnes from burning the gas.
- The project is expected to operate until 2061, with the 2081 extension to ensure environmental conditions are met.
- The Guardian framed the approval as the 36th fossil fuel project by the Albanese government.
- Lock the Gate’s Ellen Roberts stated Queensland already has over 16,000 coal seam gas wells and the project is profit-driven for exporters.
- A government spokesperson noted the project must reduce emissions annually and reach net zero by 2050 under the Safeguard Mechanism.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reports the project’s lifetime as until 2081 with no explicit operational end date, while The Guardian states the project will operate until 2061 with the 2081 extension for environmental compliance.
- ABC does not mention the 9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions during construction and operation, only referencing broader environmental conditions, while The Guardian highlights this figure explicitly.
- ABC quotes Madeleine King emphasizing job creation and domestic gas supply, while The Guardian’s government spokesperson focuses on emissions reduction and net-zero targets under the Safeguard Mechanism.
- The Guardian states the project’s CO2 emissions from burning gas (111 million tonnes) exceed Australia’s annual transport emissions, a claim not mentioned in ABC.
- ABC reports 1,695 new wells and 1,545 km of pipelines as part of the approval, while The Guardian does not specify the exact number of wells but confirms the infrastructure scale.
Source Articles
‘Like lighting a cigarette while trying to quit’: Australia approves new coal seam gas expansion
The expansion in Queensland, which has been approved until 2081, will contribute about 120m tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A ...
More than 1,600 new gas wells approved for rural Queensland until 2081
A major multinational gas venture has just secured federal approval to ramp up extraction in rural Queensland — locking in operations for the next 55 years....