Australia approves massive coal seam gas expansion in Queensland until 2081
Consensus Summary
The Australian federal government has approved a massive expansion of coal seam gas extraction in Queensland’s Surat and Bowen basins, allowing up to 1695 new wells and 1545km of pipelines to operate until 2081. The Australia Pacific LNG project, a joint venture between ConocoPhillips, Origin Energy, and Sinopec, aims to produce 2033 petajoules of gas for domestic and export markets. Both sources agree the project will generate significant emissions—9m tonnes during construction and operation, plus 111m tonnes from burning the gas—exceeding Australia’s annual transport emissions. The approval comes with strict environmental conditions (120-126) and a net zero emissions target by 2050, though critics argue it undermines climate commitments. Supporters highlight job creation and energy security, while environmental groups condemn the long-term expansion as inconsistent with Australia’s net zero goals. The project’s scale and timeline have sparked debate over balancing economic interests with climate action.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The federal government approved a coal seam gas expansion project (Australia Pacific LNG) in Queensland’s Surat and Bowen basins until 2081.
- The project includes up to 1,695 new gas wells, 1,545km of gas and water pipelines, and three processing facilities.
- The project is expected to produce about 2,033 petajoules of gas and operate until 2061, with an extension to 2081 for environmental compliance.
- The project’s public environment report estimated 9m tonnes of CO2 emissions during construction and operation, plus 111m tonnes from burning the gas.
- Australia Pacific LNG is a joint venture of ConocoPhillips, Origin Energy, and Sinopec.
- The project is subject to 126 environmental conditions (Guardian) and over 120 conditions (ABC).
- Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024.
- The project will supply both domestic and export markets, with a focus on meeting existing export contracts.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The project is described as contributing about 120m tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime, exceeding Australia’s annual transport emissions.
- Amanda McKenzie (Climate Council CEO) called it the 36th fossil fuel project approved by the Albanese government.
- The project’s emissions must reduce annually and reach net zero by 2050 under the Safeguard Mechanism.
- Lock the Gate’s Ellen Roberts stated Queensland already has over 16,000 coal seam gas wells and the project is profit-driven for multinational exporters.
- The project covers one of Australia’s most intensive gas production regions, bounded by Rolleston, Wandoan, Tara, and Injune.
- The basins hold Australia’s largest-known proven natural gas reserves.
- Madeleine King (Resources Minister) said the project would create jobs and strengthen gas supply.
- APLNG has invested over $60 billion in the region since 2011 and paid $5.2 billion in taxes/royalties since 2016.
- APLNG signed 1,462 conduct and compensation agreements with landholders.
- Ben McLeod (Climate Council) called the 2081 approval ‘shocking’ given Australia’s net zero targets.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian reports 126 environmental conditions, while ABC states over 120 conditions (no exact number).
- The Guardian mentions 111m tonnes of CO2 from burning gas, but ABC does not specify this exact figure.
- The Guardian highlights the project’s lifetime emissions as 120m tonnes, while ABC focuses on construction/operation emissions separately (9m tonnes).
- The Guardian emphasizes the project’s net zero requirement by 2050 under the Safeguard Mechanism, but ABC does not mention this timeline explicitly.
- The Guardian quotes Lock the Gate’s claim of 16,000+ existing wells, while ABC does not provide this specific number.
Source Articles
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....
‘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 ...