Frontier Gas Grants to unlock Bowen, Galilee basins’ supplies

The state government is dishing out $21 million in grants to entice companies to help unlock $2.5bn in gas reserves across key stretches of the state. Find out how you can apply.

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick says opening up new gas wells across Queensland is ‘vital’. Picture Glenn Campbell

There is $21 million of funding up for grabs to fast track the opening of new gas reserves across Queensland’s Bowen and Galilee basins.

Companies have until January 31 to apply for the Frontier Gas Grants which are hoped to boost the state’s gas supply and help meet the 70 per cent renewable energy target by 2032.

The “significant untapped gas” across the two basins are tipped to be worth up to $2.5 billion each year, if the Australian and Queensland government can crack the historical challenge of opening up the reserves.

It is why they launched the North Bowen and Galilee Strategic Basin Plan in recent years with an aim to encourage testing of “cutting edge drilling techniques to lower production costs” and create a gas pipeline infrastructure.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the Frontier Gas Grants would help “secure” an affordable gas supply from the basins – which stretch from west of Bowen in the north to west of the Sunshine Coast in the south – plus support a “strong and stable resources” sector into the future.

“Last financial year, the gas sector generated $2.3 billion in royalties, which are being reinvested to deliver critical local infrastructure including schools, hospitals and ports,” Mr Stewart said.

“While the southern states have imposed restrictions and moratoriums on the development of their onshore gas resources, Queensland continues to do the heavy lifting in the east coast gas market.”

The boundaries for where companies can drill for new gas wells across the Bowen and Galilee Basins with support from $21 million in funding from the state government. Picture: Department of Resources

To be eligible for a grant, all works must be completed by mid-2025, with holders of coal or mineral permits excluded from applying.

The Department of Resources will assess applications based on whether proposals will increase geological or reservoir knowledge of the basins, how they will “bring gas to market in a timely manner”, “the extent to which new techniques, formation and operational approaches are undertaken”, and how new information will help the government and gas industry to forecast and plan.

Treasurer Cameron Dick said the state government was determined to “make the most of our gas reserves” that were “vital” to Australia’s heavy industries and jobs.

More than 20,000 square kilometres of Queensland have been opened up for the domestic gas supply market since 2017.

Visit the government’s website to learn more about the grants.

Originally published as Frontier Gas Grants to unlock Bowen, Galilee basins’ supplies