Australia's Oil, Gas Body See Huge Potential for Shale Gas in Queensland

There remains enormous potential to safely explore and develop Queensland’s shale gas resources, to create jobs and attract another wave of economic investment, the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) said last week.

Already, coal seam gas feeds almost 100 per cent of Queensland’s gas supply needs and has been responsible for generating about 30,000 jobs, mostly in rural and regional communities, the industry body said.

APPEA Chief Operating Officer Paul Fennelly said: “It is very important that political parties do not adopt policies from The Greens to stop resource development and the benefits it can bring to Queensland’s economy.

Last year the Australian Council of Learned Academies highlighted the “great potential” of shale gas as an important new energy option for Australia, while also identifying challenges that could be met through careful management.

Fennelly said: “Industry supports the findings that robust regulation and best practice operations are central to managing and mitigating the identified risks.”

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