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

Thirty five new exploration areas, located across five of Australia's offshore sedimentary basins are offered in the 2008 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 six and twelve months from the date of release.

The 2008 exploration areas are in Commonwealth waters offshore of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and in the Territory of the Ashmore and Cartier Islands.

The Release focuses on the North West Shelf, as well as offering two new exploration areas in the Vlaming Sub-basin, in the offshore Perth Basin.

Data supporting the 2008 Release Areas

• Explore Australia summary brochures
• 2008 Acreage Release Data Packages: Seismic data is available in GeoFrame™, Kingdom^® and Landmark™ formats.
  Digital well completion reports and logs for specific wells are available in original format.
  Email: ausgeodata@ga.gov.au, Phone: +61 2 6249 9222
• Geoscience Australia's Data Room: Seismic data relevant to 2008 acreage release rounds is available in workstation format for viewing and workup in Geoframe™ and Kingdom^®.
  Associated digital well data are also accessible.
  Email: biu@ga.gov.au
• 2008 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

Megan Lech
Project Manager, Offshore Petroleum Acreage Release
Ph: +61 2 6249 9459
email: megan.lechga.gov.au