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 production in Queensland’s Surat and Bowen basins, allowing up to 1695 new wells, 1545 km of pipelines, and three processing facilities under the Australia Pacific LNG project. The approval, valid until 2081, covers one of Australia’s most intensive gas regions and involves a joint venture between ConocoPhillips, Origin Energy, and Sinopec. Both sources agree on key details like the project’s scale, the joint venture partners, and the environmental conditions attached, including emissions reductions and net-zero targets by 2050. However, the Guardian highlights the project’s significant carbon emissions—120 million tonnes over its lifetime—while ABC emphasizes job creation and supply security. The Guardian also criticizes the project as inconsistent with climate goals, contrasting with ABC’s focus on economic and energy benefits. Both articles note the project’s long-term operational period until 2061, with an extended approval period to address environmental concerns, though the Guardian stresses the contradiction between approving new fossil fuel projects and Australia’s net-zero commitments.
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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, 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 expected to operate until 2061, with an extended approval period to meet environmental conditions.
- The approval includes 120+ environmental conditions covering threatened species, vegetation clearing, and water resource protections.
- APLNG has invested over $60 billion in the region since 2011 and paid $5.2 billion in taxes, royalties, and levies since 2016.
- Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in 2024.
- The Surat and Bowen basins hold Australia’s largest-known proven natural gas reserves.
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 domestic gas market support.
- The approval covers a region roughly bounded by Rolleston (north), Wandoan (east), Tara (south), and Injune (west).
- The project will produce gas for both export and domestic markets, with a focus on Australia’s east coast domestic gas market.
- An Origin spokesperson mentioned 1,462 conduct and compensation agreements with landholders regarding 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 would produce about 2,033 petajoules of gas and is named the Gas Supply Security Project.
- The project’s public environment report estimated emissions equivalent to more than Australia’s annual transport emissions.
- The government spokesperson noted the project must reduce emissions 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.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reports the approval is valid until 2081, while The Guardian states the project is expected to operate until 2061 with an extended approval period to meet conditions.
- ABC states the approval covers a region bounded by Rolleston, Wandoan, Tara, and Injune, but The Guardian does not specify this boundary.
- The Guardian claims the project’s emissions (120 million tonnes) exceed Australia’s annual transport emissions, while ABC does not provide this specific comparison.
- The Guardian highlights the project’s emissions as 120 million tonnes over its lifetime, including 9 million tonnes during construction, but ABC does not mention these specific emission figures.
- The Guardian emphasizes the project is not about energy security but profit for exporters, while ABC focuses on job creation and supply security without this critique.
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