Federal approval of 1,600+ new gas wells in Queensland’s Surat/Bowen basins until 2081
Consensus Summary
The federal government approved a massive expansion of coal seam gas extraction in Queensland’s Surat and Bowen basins, allowing up to 1695 new wells, 1545 kilometers of pipelines, and three processing facilities to operate until 2081. The Australia Pacific LNG project, a joint venture between ConocoPhillips, Origin Energy, and Sinopec, will supply both domestic and export markets, with construction set to begin in 2024. Both sources agree on key details like the project’s scale, location, and the involvement of multinational companies, as well as the inclusion of environmental conditions. However, ABC focuses on economic benefits and job creation, while The Guardian highlights the project’s significant carbon emissions—120 million tonnes over its lifetime—and its inconsistency with Australia’s climate commitments. The Guardian also criticizes the project as part of a broader trend of fossil fuel approvals under the Albanese government, contrasting with ABC’s neutral framing of the approval process. Environmental groups from both sources condemn the long-term approval, with The Guardian framing it as incompatible with climate action, while ABC includes a ministerial statement emphasizing rigorous environmental assessments.
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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 until 2081.
- The project involves 1,545 kilometers of pipelines and three processing facilities across the Surat and Bowen basins.
- Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG), a joint venture between ConocoPhillips (US), Origin Energy (Australia), and Sinopec (China), received the approval.
- The project is expected to operate until 2061, with an extended approval period to 2081 to ensure environmental conditions are met.
- The approval includes 120+ environmental conditions covering threatened species, vegetation clearing, water resources, and chemical risk assessments.
- 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 located in an area 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.
- Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024.
- The project will supply both domestic and export markets, including Australia’s east coast domestic gas market.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King stated the project would strengthen gas supply and create jobs, citing a rigorous environmental assessment.
- The approval covers one of Australia’s most intensive gas production regions, emphasizing its economic benefits for regional Queensland.
- An Origin spokesperson highlighted the project’s role in meeting existing export contracts and domestic gas supply needs.
- The approval includes 120 conditions, with a focus on water resource protections and independent environmental audits.
- Climate Council senior advisor Ben McLeod criticized the 2081 approval timeline as incompatible with Australia’s net-zero targets by 2050.
- APLNG signed 1,462 conduct and compensation agreements with landholders for land access and compensation.
- The project is estimated to emit about 120 million tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime, including 9 million tonnes during construction and 111 million tonnes from burning the gas.
- The project’s public environment report noted emissions would exceed Australia’s annual transport emissions.
- Amanda McKenzie (Climate Council CEO) called the approval the 36th fossil fuel project under the Albanese government, comparing it to ‘lighting a cigarette while trying to quit.’
- The project is subject to 126 environmental conditions, with a requirement to reduce emissions annually and reach net-zero by 2050 under the Safeguard Mechanism.
- Lock the Gate’s Ellen Roberts argued the project prioritizes multinational gas exporters’ profits over Australia’s energy security, noting Queensland already has over 16,000 coal seam gas wells.
- The Guardian emphasized the project’s contribution to climate pollution amid record heat and flooding, worsening community impacts.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reports 120 environmental conditions, while The Guardian states 126 conditions.
- ABC does not mention annual emissions reductions or a 2050 net-zero requirement under the Safeguard Mechanism, which The Guardian highlights.
- ABC emphasizes job creation and economic benefits without mentioning climate impacts, while The Guardian frames the project as contradictory to climate goals and worsening pollution.
- The Guardian states the project’s lifetime emissions (120 million tonnes) would exceed Australia’s annual transport emissions, a claim not directly referenced in ABC.
- ABC notes the approval includes water resource protections and chemical risk assessments as part of 120 conditions, while The Guardian does not specify these details.
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