State Gas-Santos JV gets new permit in Queensland

The Queensland government has issued a new exploration permit ATP 2068 to a joint venture (JV) of State Gas and Santos, State Gas said on July 20 in a statement.

The new permit grant follows the appointment of State Gas and Santos as preferred tenderers for the area (PLR2021-1-2) in May this year. ATP 2068 is adjacent to State Gas' existing projects at Reid's Dome and Rolleston-West, as well as Santos interests to the east. State Gas holds 35% and Santos 65% of the new permit, with Santos as operator. The new area is highly prospective for coalbed methane in the Bandanna formation, as well as hosting conventional targets, State Gas said. 

The permit grant for PLR2021-1-3, the second block to which State Gas and Santos were appointed preferred developers, is expected following the resolution of native title processes.

State Gas said the new acreage represents a significant expansion of its portfolio, increasing its future production, access to local production expertise, and providing optionality in development and marketing.