On 18 June 2020 the Queensland State Government opened a further 1,459 sq km for tender in the Bowen â Surat Basins. The planned release was first announced on 8 June 2020. The areas are split into five blocks located around Moonie and Injune, with tenders open until 2:30 pm (AEST) 3 September 2020. Finalisation of the successful application is scheduled for the end of 2020. The announcement of the latest release was made before the closure of the PLR2020-1 block release, which has 12 areas open for bidding, and is due to close on 9 July 2020.   The Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham reported that the latest areas which have been released were chosen due to previous interest expressed for the region and will be available for gas exploration. It was also reported that investment for the year to March end 2020 for mineral and petroleum exploration was up 15% compared to the previous year in Queensland. The areas which have been put forward were released in response to feedback as part of the Queensland Governments 'Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs' plan.  The land is available on this date, 18 June 2020, and located in central and southern Queensland, ranging in size from 37 sq km to 834 sq km. The areas are subject to environmental, native title and other approval requirements before they are finally awarded.   Areas PLR2020-2-1 and PLR2002-2-2 are located in the southern Denison Trough, immediately adjacent to the western edge of the producing Fairview and Spring Gully coalbed methane (CBM) fields. Both produce from the Upper Permian Bandanna Formation. Prospectively within the areas is expected to be focused on the CBM play extension.  Area PLR2020-2-3 is located in the northern Roma Shelf, immediately adjacent the producing Lacerta and developing Don Juan CBM fields. Exploration could see a focus on extensions of the Jurassic Walloon Group and Permian Bandanna Formation coal plays.  Both PLR2020-4 and PLR2020-2-5 area located on the eastern extent to the Tarrom Trough. The northern border of Area #4 joins the large, appraising Ironbark CBM field. Once developed it is planned by operator Origin, to provide feedstock to the Australia Pacific LNG Project (APLNG) project. Area #5 lies approximately 50 km west of the conventional Moonie oil and gas field, which is situated in the Chinchilla-Goondiwindi Slope. The area could be prospective for small to medium size Upper Permian clastic plays.          Block            Basin            Area   (sq km)            Prospectivity             PLR2020-2-1            Bowen-Surat            77            CBM             PLR2020-2-2            Bowen-Surat            37            Conventional/unconventional   gas             PLR2020-2-3            Bowen-Surat            154            CBM             PLR2020-2-4            Bowen-Surat            357            Conventional/unconventional   oil and gas             PLR2020-2-5            Bowen-Surat            834            Conventional   and unconventional oil and gas             Source: IHS Markit            Â          Â          Â© 2020 IHS Markit
On 18 June 2020 the Queensland State Government opened a further 1,459 sq km for tender in the Bowen â Surat Basins. The planned release was first announced on 8 June 2020. The areas are split into five blocks located around Moonie and Injune, with tenders open until 2:30 pm (AEST) 3 September 2020. Finalisation of the successful application is scheduled for the end of 2020. The announcement of the latest release was made before the closure of the PLR2020-1 block release, which has 12 areas open for bidding, and is due to close on 9 July 2020. T