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, aims to supply domestic and export markets with 2033 petajoules of gas, operating until 2061 with an extension for environmental compliance. Both sources agree on key details like the scale of infrastructure, emissions estimates (9m tonnes construction/operation + 111m tonnes from burning gas), and the project’s economic impact, including $60 billion in investments and 120+ environmental conditions. However, the Guardian emphasizes the project’s contradiction with climate goals, framing it as the 36th fossil fuel approval under the Albanese government and comparing it to ‘lighting another cigarette while quitting.’ ABC highlights job creation and economic benefits, while also noting environmental safeguards like annual emissions reductions and net-zero targets by 2050. Critics argue the 2081 timeline conflicts with Australia’s net-zero commitments, while supporters stress energy security and regional economic growth.
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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.
- The project is a joint venture between ConocoPhillips (US), Origin Energy (Australia), and Sinopec (China).
- The approval includes 126 environmental conditions, including annual emissions reductions and net-zero targets by 2050 under Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism.
- Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024, with the project supplying both domestic and export markets.
- Queensland’s Surat and Bowen basins are among Australia’s most intensive gas production regions, bounded by Rolleston, Wandoan, Tara, and Injune.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The project is described as the 36th fossil fuel project approved by the Albanese government since taking office.
- Amanda McKenzie (Climate Council CEO) compared approval to ‘lighting another cigarette while trying to quit smoking’ amid record heat and flooding.
- 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’s emissions (9m tonnes construction + 111m tonnes from burning gas) exceed Australia’s annual transport emissions.
- Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King emphasized the project would create jobs and strengthen domestic gas supply, citing ‘rigorous environmental assessment’ with 120 conditions.
- 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 for land access and compensation.
- Climate Council’s Ben McLeod called the 2081 approval ‘shocking’ given Australia’s net-zero targets should be met by 2050.
- ABC noted the project covers one of Australia’s most intensive gas production regions, bounded by Rolleston, Wandoan, Tara, and Injune.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian reports the project’s total lifetime emissions as 120 million tonnes, while ABC cites 9m tonnes during construction/operation plus 111m tonnes from burning gas (no total provided).
- The Guardian states the project is the 36th fossil fuel approval by the Albanese government, but ABC does not mention this specific count.
- The Guardian highlights the project’s emissions exceed Australia’s annual transport emissions, while ABC does not explicitly compare to transport emissions.
- The Guardian frames the approval as contradictory to climate commitments, while ABC focuses more on economic benefits (jobs, tax revenue) and environmental safeguards.
- The Guardian quotes Lock the Gate’s claim the project is profit-driven for exporters, but ABC does not include this specific criticism.
Source Articles
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