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 Otway Basin, two blocks have been released for bidding. One is within the Prawn Platform and the other is within the Mussel Platform and close to shore.  V19-1 is in the Mussel Platform and covers an area of 121 sq km. There are no wells within the block area. It is adjacent to the three-nautical mile limit that marks the offshore/onshore legislation split.  V19-2 is in the Prawn Platform and covers an area of 1,296 sq km.Â  It contains one dry well and one well â LochArd 1 â that encountered gas shows.Â  The block is adjacent to the Geographe and Thylacine fields, which were brought onstream, to supply domestic gas, in 2007.   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.