The regular release of offshore acreage is a key part of the Australian Government's strategy to encourage investment in petroleum exploration.

Thirty-one areas plus two special areas, located across five of Australia's offshore sedimentary basins are offered for petroleum exploration in the 2009 Acreage Release. The release areas range from frontier to mature status and offer opportunities for exploration companies of all sizes.

All the areas are available through a work program bidding system with closing dates for bids being 3 December 2009 and 29 April 2010. The release date is 1 June 2009.

The 2009 Release Areas are located in Commonwealth waters offshore Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria, comprising intensively explored areas close to existing production as well as new frontiers. As usual, the North West Shelf features very prominently and is complemented by new areas along the southern margin, including frontier exploration areas in the Ceduna Sub-basin (Bight Basin) and the Otway Basin.

Data supporting the 2009 Release Areas

• Seismic Workstation Packages 2009
• Geoscience Australia's Offshore Petroleum Acreage Release Data Room: Seismic data relevant to the 2009 acreage release round are available in workstation format for viewing and workup in Geoframe ™ and Kingdom ® . Associated digital well data also are accessible.
• 2009 Offshore Petroleum Exploration Areas CD-ROM: The CD-ROM will assist prospective applicants in preparing an exploration area application. It contains an 'Overview for Applicants', 'Guidance Notes for Applicants', geology summaries and listings of available data including seismic, well and sample data. Available at: the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism

Enquiries

Tom Bernecker
Project Manager, Offshore Petroleum Acreage Release
Phone: +61 2 6249 9239
Email: tom.bernecker@ga.gov.au