Federal approval of 1,600+ new gas wells in Queensland’s Surat/Bowen basins until 2081
Consensus Summary
The federal government has approved a major expansion of gas extraction in Queensland’s Surat and Bowen basins, allowing up to 1695 new wells and 1545 km of pipelines as part of the Australia Pacific LNG project. Led by ConocoPhillips, Origin Energy, and Sinopec, the project spans an area bounded by Rolleston, Wandoan, Tara, and Injune and is subject to strict environmental conditions. Both sources agree on the scale of investment—over $60 billion since 2011—and the project’s dual role in supplying domestic and export markets. However, the articles diverge on timelines, with ABC citing a 2081 approval and The Guardian focusing on 2061 operations, while critics argue the expansion undermines climate goals. The Guardian emphasizes the project’s carbon footprint, estimating 120 million tonnes of emissions, framing it as inconsistent with Australia’s climate commitments, whereas ABC highlights job creation and economic benefits. Environmental groups and landholder agreements are noted in both, but The Guardian’s Lock the Gate dismisses the project as profit-driven for multinational firms, contrasting with ABC’s pro-development tone.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The federal government approved up to 1,695 new gas wells in Queensland’s Surat and Bowen basins under the Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) project.
- The project includes 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 approval covers an area roughly bounded by Rolleston (north), Wandoan (east), Tara (south), and Injune (west).
- The project is subject to 120–126 environmental conditions, including protections for threatened species, water resources, and chemical risk assessments.
- Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024, with operations expected to continue until at least 2061.
- 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 is estimated to produce about 2,033 petajoules of gas over its lifetime, with 9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions during construction and operation.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The approval is valid until 2081, with the Surat and Bowen basins holding Australia’s largest-known proven natural gas reserves.
- Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King stated the project would strengthen gas supply and create jobs, citing domestic market support.
- An Origin spokesperson noted 1,462 conduct and compensation agreements with landholders regarding land access and compensation.
- Climate Council senior advisor Ben McLeod criticized the 2081 approval timeline as incompatible with Australia’s net-zero targets by 2050.
- The project is called the Gas Supply Security Project and involves coal seam gas drilling, a contentious practice in the region.
- The project is estimated to emit about 120 million tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime, including 9 million tonnes from construction and 111 million tonnes from burning the gas.
- The Guardian framed the approval as contradictory to Australia’s climate commitments, comparing it to ‘lighting a cigarette while trying to quit.’
- Lock the Gate’s Ellen Roberts argued the project prioritizes multinational gas exporters’ profits over Australia’s energy security.
- The project’s public environment report estimated 9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions during construction and operation, exceeding Australia’s annual transport emissions.
- The Guardian highlighted the project as the 36th fossil fuel approval by the Albanese government since taking office.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the approval is valid until 2081, while The Guardian implies the operational timeline is until 2061 with an extended approval for environmental conditions.
- ABC reports 1,695 new wells and 1,545 km of pipelines, but The Guardian does not specify the exact number of wells, only confirming up to 1,695.
- ABC quotes Madeleine King emphasizing job creation and domestic gas supply, while The Guardian’s Lock the Gate criticizes the project as profit-driven for multinational exporters.
- The Guardian claims the project’s emissions (120 million tonnes) exceed Australia’s annual transport emissions, a claim not directly quantified in ABC.
- ABC mentions 120 environmental conditions, while The Guardian states 126 conditions, with no further detail on discrepancies.
Source Articles
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