Australian Government awards 13 offshore licenses

Offshore staff

CANBERRA, Australia -- The government of Australia has awarded 13 new offshore petroleum exploration permits in Commonwealth waters. The new permits will generate $111.9 billion of offshore exploration investment. The new permits relate to the first round of the 2008 Acreage Release.

Forty-three bids were received for 17 areas included in the first closing round of the 2008 release. The new permits are offshore Western Australia and the Territory of the Ashmore and Cartier Islands.

These include five permits in the Bonaparte basin, Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands, which have been awarded to Bengal Energy (AC08-1), Silver Wave Energy (AC08-2, AC08-5 and AC08-6), and Tata Petrodyne (AC08-4).

One permit in the Browse basin Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands has been awarded to Woodside Energy (operator) and Mitsui E&P Australia (AC08-8).

Three permits in the Browse basin off Western Australia have been awarded to Hunt Oil (operator), SK Energy (W08-8 and W08-10), and Woodside Energy Ltd (operator) and Mitsui E&P Australia (W08-9).

Four permits in the Carnarvon basin off Western Australia have been awarded to Apache Northwest (operator) and Kufpec Australia (W08-16); Apache Northwest (W08-17); and Woodside Energy (operator) and Mitsui E&P Australia (W08-19 and W08-20).

04/17/2009