Australia proposes 2012 lease area, awards permits from 2010 round

Offshore staff

CANBERRA, Australia – Leasing results and future plans are the areas of activity covered by the government of Australia as 2011 closes. Looking ahead to 2012, the Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson plans to announce the areas available for leasing in May at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association meeting. At that time, the official Website will open with area details including geological assessments and supporting data, any Special Notices, details of the offshore regulatory environment at the time, and what is expected as regards bidding and permit administration. Bidding on the second round of the 2011 acreage release now is scheduled to close on April 12, 2012. This also includes two areas from the first round in 2011. Ferguson also has announced the award of nine offshore exploration permits as part of the second round of the 2010 Acreage Release. WA-466-P (released as W10-3) in the Rowley sub-basin of the Roebuck basin off Western Australia has been awarded to Woodside Energy Ltd and Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd. The companies proposed a work program of 3,590 sq km (1,386 sq mi) of 3D seismic surveying and three exploration wells. The secondary work program consists of 2,000 sq km (772 sq mi) of 3D seismic reprocessing, geotechnical studies and an exploration well. WA-462-P (released as W10-4) in the Rowley sub-basin also went to Woodside Energy Ltd and Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd. The companies proposed a program of 3,585 sq km of new 3D seismic surveying, geotechnical studies, and an exploration well. The secondary work program consists of 2,000 sq km of 3D seismic reprocessing, geotechnical studies and an exploration well. WA-464-P (released as W10-5) in the Rowley sub-basin was the third award to Woodside Energy Ltd and Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd. The proposed exploration work was similar to the first two tracts. WA-465-P (released as W10-8) in the Beagle sub-basin, the Carnarvon basin, off Western Australia was awarded to Woodside Energy Ltd. The company proposed a guaranteed work program of geotechnical studies and 1,211 sq km (468 sq mi) of 3D seismic. The secondary program consists of an exploration well and geotechnical studies. WA-467-P (released as W10-9) in the Beagle sub-basin also went to Woodside Energy. The company proposed a guaranteed work program of 351 sq km (136 sq mi) of new 3D seismic and geotechnical studies plus a secondary program of one exploration well and additional geotechnical studies. WA-461-P (released as W10-23) in the Exmouth sub-basin of the Carnarvon basin off Western Australia has been awarded to Woodside and Mitsui E&P Australia Pty Ltd. The proposed guaranteed work program includes licensing of 480 sq km (185 sq mi) of new multi-client 3D seismic data, 395 sq km (153 sq mi) of 3D seismic reprocessing, 157 sq km (61 sq mi) of new 2D and geotechnical studies. The secondary work program consists of 480 sq km 3D seismic reprocessing, geotechnical studies and one exploration well. WA-463-P (released as W10-24) in the Exmouth sub-basin also was awarded to Woodside and Mitsui E&P. The companies proposed a guaranteed work program comprising licensing of 283 sq km (109 sq mi) of new multi-client 3D seismic data, 217 sq km (84 sq mi) 3D seismic reprocessing, 104 km (65 mi) of new 2D seismic surveying and geotechnical studies. The secondary work program consists of 283 sq km 3D seismic reprocessing, geotechnical studies and an exploration well. WA-460-P (released as W10-25) in the Exmouth sub-basin of has been awarded to Cottesloe Oil and Gas Pty Ltd, Strike Energy Limited and WHL Energy Ltd. They proposed a guaranteed work program of geotechnical studies, 92 sq km (36 sq mi) 2D reprocessing, 9.5 km (6 mi) new 2D seismic, and 81 sq km (31 sq mi) new 3D seismic. The secondary work program consists of one exploration well and geotechnical studies. WA-459-P (released as W10-1) in the Petrel sub-basin of the Bonaparte basin off Western Australia and the Northern Territory has been awarded to Santos Oil and Gas Pty Ltd. The company proposed a guaranteed work program comprising geotechnical studies, 300 km (186 mi) new 2D seismic surveying and 865 sq km (134 sq mi) 2D seismic reprocessing. The secondary work program consists of one exploration well and geotechnical studies.