Australia Opens Up Waters for Oil Exploration

The Australian Government has awarded permits covering 11 new offshore exploration blocks to local and overseas oil and gas companies.

All companies have committed to work programmes totalling more than A$800m over six years.

Companies awarded the blocks include Santos, Woodside Petroleum China National Offshore Oil and Total SA.

Exploration areas include the waters off Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory and include four permits in designated frontier areas.

Last month www.offshore-technology.com reported that Australia is home to emerging plays and is considered one of the oil hotspots of South East Asia by geoscientists.

Reported by staff writer