Queensland Opens up ‘Singapore-Sized’ Region for Oil Exploration

The Queensland state government has granted permission for gas and oil exploration over a 750 km stretch of land.

A motorist fills his car at a petrol bowser in Brisbane, Australia on June 2, 2009. AAP Image/Dave Hunt

The Queensland government has announced plans to open up the state’s Taroom Trough to new oil and gas exploration, potentially uncovering Australia’s first major new oil region since the 1970s.

Three companies—Omega TN Pty Ltd, Tri-Star Stonecroft Pty Ltd, and Drillsearch Energy Pty Ltd—have been given permission to explore the 750 kilometre tract of land in South-West Queensland.