Australia approves massive coal seam gas expansion in Queensland until 2081
Consensus Summary
The federal government approved a massive coal seam gas expansion in Queensland’s Surat and Bowen basins, allowing Australia Pacific LNG to build up to 1695 new wells, 1545km of pipelines, and three processing plants until 2081. The project, a joint venture between ConocoPhillips, Origin Energy, and Sinopec, is expected to produce 2033 petajoules of gas and emit 111 million tonnes of CO2 from burning the gas alone, exceeding Australia’s annual transport emissions. Both sources agree the approval includes strict environmental conditions, annual emissions cuts, and net-zero targets by 2050, but critics argue it undermines climate commitments. Supporters highlight job creation and energy security, while environmental groups warn it prolongs fossil fuel dependence despite Australia’s net-zero pledges. The project’s scale and long-term approval have sparked debate over balancing economic growth 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 9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions during construction and operation, plus 111 million tonnes from burning the gas.
- Australia Pacific LNG is a joint venture of ConocoPhillips, Origin Energy, and Sinopec.
- The approval includes 126 environmental conditions, including annual emissions reductions and net-zero emissions by 2050 under the Safeguard Mechanism.
- Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024.
- Queensland’s Surat and Bowen basins have already seen over 16,000 coal seam gas wells drilled.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The project is described as the 36th fossil fuel project approved by the Albanese government.
- Amanda McKenzie (Climate Council CEO) compared approval to 'lighting another cigarette while trying to quit smoking'.
- The project’s emissions exceed Australia’s annual transport emissions (111m tonnes vs. transport’s total).
- Lock the Gate’s Ellen Roberts stated the project is about 'boosting and prolonging the profits of multinational gas 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.
- APLNG has invested over $60 billion in the region since 2011 and paid $5.2 billion in taxes, royalties, and levies since 2016.
- APLNG signed 1,462 conduct and compensation agreements with landholders.
- Madeleine King (Resources Minister) stated the project would 'strengthen gas supply and create jobs'.
- The approval includes 120 conditions (ABC reports 120; Guardian reports 126).
- 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 reports 120 conditions.
- The Guardian states the project’s total lifetime emissions are 120 million tonnes, but ABC does not specify this figure.
- The Guardian highlights the project’s emissions as 'more than Australia’s annual transport emissions,' while ABC does not emphasize this comparison.
- The Guardian quotes Lock the Gate’s Ellen Roberts criticizing the project as profit-driven for exporters, but ABC does not include this quote.
- The Guardian mentions the project’s approval is the 36th fossil fuel project under Albanese, but ABC does not reference this count.
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 ...