Oz Senex Gets Queensland Project OK
Australia’s Senex Energy has received the federal government approval to develop the Western Surat Gas Project in Queensland, it said August 14. Gas will be supplied under a pre-existing sales agreement.
The development approval came under the Commonwealth Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC). “Together with previously granted state environmental approvals and petroleum lease, Senex has now received all primary approvals to commence development of the Western Surat Gas Project,” the company said. Senex will initially focus on the Glenora and Eos blocks.
Senex said it will take forward the remaining financial, commercial and contracting requirements prior to taking a final investment decision (FID) for the project. The Western Surat Gas Project is one of two major gas development projects that Senex is progressing to deliver new gas volumes into the east coast market.
"We are delighted to have achieved this critical milestone for the Western Surat Gas Project. This approval follows the recent announcement of a cost effective corporate and development debt facility, as well as partnering with Jemena for delivery of Project Atlas infrastructure. This progress demonstrates continuing strong momentum in the execution of our gas projects and our east coast gas strategy,” CEO Ian Davies said.
The Western Surat Gas Project comprises approximately 840 km2 of natural gas acreage in Queensland’s Surat Basin. The initial phase will be developed through a 16 terajoule/day (15.1mn ft3/d) gas processing facility tied into Gladstone LNG infrastructure.
Gas will be sold to GLNG under Senex's existing 50 TJ/d, 20-year sales agreement, with first Western Surat sales gas volumes targeted for 2019, according to Senex.