On 31 July 2019, the Australian Government, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science opened the federal 2019 Offshore Petroleum Exploration Acreage Release. A total of 64 blocks, covering approximately 120,000 sq km, have been opened for a single round of work programme bidding across the Browse, Bonaparte, Roebuck, North Carnarvon, Otway and Gippsland basins.   All blocks are due to close on 5 March 2020 under a new system that is seeing one closing date (rather than the usual two tranches that had been previously used) as well as other changes to nomination, consultation and negotiation, with an aim to streamline the bidding process and make it more efficient.  In the Browse Basin, three blocks have been released. Two in the Caswell Sub-basin, close to the Argus, Ichthys and Lasseter fields and one in the Yampi Shelf, adjacent to the recently relinquished Cornea field.   In the Caswell Sub-basin are the AC19-10 and W19-7 blocks.Â  AC19-10 covers an area of 4,198 sq km and contains the Phrixus 1 well which encountered gas shows. It also contains part of the Argus gas discovery, which extends into the block.  W19-7 covers an area of 5,717 sq km and contains four dry wells. The block surrounds the Cornea discovery, which was being evaluated for development but had its retention lease relinquished in July 2019.  In the Yampi Sub-basin is the W19-6 block, which covers an area of 2,861 sq km. It contains the Bassett West discovery, which was considered non-commercial at the time of discovery.Â  W19-6 also contains two dry wells. The block is adjacent to the Crown and Lasseter discoveries, and also close to the Ichthys and Prelude fields which supply gas to the Browse Basinâs two major LNG projects.  The round consisting of 64 blocks is considerably larger than in previous years, when between 20 and 40 blocks has been usual. However, the amount of acreage on offer (just over 120,000 sq km) has not seen a significant increase, and is in fact less than the total acreage offered each year in 2017 and 2018.
On 31 July 2019, the Australian Government, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science opened the federal 2019 Offshore Petroleum Exploration Acreage Release. A total of 64 blocks, covering approximately 120,000 sq km, have been opened for a single round of work programme bidding across the Browse, Bonaparte, Roebuck, North Carnarvon, Otway and Gippsland basins.