According to GlobalData’s Upstream Analyst for Asia-Pacific Jonathan Lacouture, the stage seems set for commercially viable unconventional resource development in Australia. This is due to the country’s significant technical shale and tight gas resource estimates, its well-developed onshore upstream sector, and substantial capital investment in frontier basins.

However, disappointing results from recent exploration and production (E&P) activities has cast doubt over unconventional operations in Australia. For example, ConocoPhillips and PetroChina left their positions in the Canning Basin in October this year, after recent test wells performed below expectations. MORE