The Isa Superbasin’s prospectivity ranks as moderate–high due to the booked contingent resources, however confidence is low– moderate reflecting the sparse data distribution and very limited exploration history. The Gippsland Basin is ranked moderate for prospectivity based the relatively small area of potential unconventional gas resources which may be developed within a 10 year timeframe, however confidence is high due to data density and quality. The Georgina Basin is ranked as moderate in terms of prospectivity, reflecting the relatively poor results of recent exploration, with a low–moderate confidence reflecting sparse data distribution. The Clarence-Moreton Basin is ranked as low–moderate for both prospectivity and confidence, reflecting the relatively small prospective area, early stage of exploration and limited data. These rankings could be improved with more data collection to increase the knowledge of the basin, and by conducting further studies as described in the basin recommendations list. Proximity to market and access to infrastructure In assessing proximity to the East Coast Gas Market, those basins already producing gas directly into this market were ranked highest. The Northern Gas Pipeline (NGP), linking the Northern Territory Gas Market to the East Coast Gas Market and scheduled to open by the end of 2018 (Jemena, 2017), will allow gas from northern Australian basins to be supplied to the East Coast Gas Market. However, the pipeline has limited capacity, and large distances will mean high transport costs. The factors considered in assessing access to infrastructure were proximity to existing oil and gas pipelines, additional infrastructure requirements, gas processing and storage facilities, road and rail access and proximity to townships. A ranking applied to each basin regarding access to infrastructure is qualitative and was based on the level of knowledge and available data for the given basin. From this assessment: The Cooper, Bowen, Otway and Gippsland basins all have significant existing infrastructure in place connecting them with the East Coast Gas Market, including pipelines and gas processing facilities. All regionals are well serviced in terms of road and rail, with proximity to at least moderately well-developed townships. The Amadeus and McArthur basins contain existing pipeline infrastructure and processing facilities, but development of any unconventional plays away from the producing fields would require significant further investment. Both basins are also located much further from the East Coast Gas Market.
The Isa Superbasin’s prospectivity ranks as moderate–high due to the booked contingent resources, however confidence is low– moderate reflecting the sparse data distribution and very limited exploration history. The Gippsland Basin is ranked moderate for prospectivity based the relatively small area of potential unconventional gas resources which may be developed within a 10 year timeframe, however confidence is high due to data density and quality. The Georgina Basin is ranked as moderate in terms of prospectivity, reflecting the relatively poor results of recent exploration, with a low–moderate confidence reflecting sparse data distribution. The Clarence-Moreton Basin is ranked as low–moderate for both prospectivity and confidence, reflecting the relatively small prospective area, early stage of exploration and limited data. These rankings could be improved with more data collection to increase the knowledge of the basin, and by conducting further studies as described in the basin recommendations list. Proximity to market and access to infrastructure In assessing proximity to the East Coast Gas Market, those basins already producing gas directly into this market were ranked highest. The Northern Gas Pipeline (NGP), linking the Northern Territory Gas Market to the East Coast Gas Market and scheduled to open by the end of 2018 (Jemena, 2017), will allow gas from northern Australian basins to be supplied to the East Coast Gas Market. However, the pipeline has limited capacity, and large distances will mean high transport costs. The factors considered in assessing access to infrastructure were proximity to existing oil and gas pipelines, additional infrastructure requirements, gas processing and storage facilities, road and rail access and proximity to townships. A ranking applied to each basin regarding access to infrastructure is qualitative and was based on the level of knowledge and available data for the given basin. From this assessment: The Cooper, Bowen, Otway and Gippsland basins all have significant existing infrastructure in place connecting them with the East Coast Gas Market, including pipelines and gas processing facilities. All regionals are well serviced in terms of road and rail, with proximity to at least moderately well-developed townships. The Amadeus and McArthur basins contain existing pipeline infrastructure and processing facilities, but development of any unconventional plays away from the producing fields would require significant further investment. Both basins are also located much further from the East Coast Gas Market.
gba_stage1_report_final.docx