Senex Energy increases Atlas Project gas production

A multi-million-dollar expansion of a Queensland gas project will create 100 jobs and bring more gas into the market, with Senex Energy announcing it will increase gas production by 50% at its Project Atlas operation in the Surat Basin. The $40 million investment means the company will be able to produce 18 petajoules (PJ) of natural gas per year.

Senex Managing Director and CEO Ian Davies said the Atlas expansion project is yet another example of the low-risk, high-return organic growth opportunities available to Senex with its established hub-andspoke infrastructure operating model (see video below).

“Atlas is a high-quality development, providing material and reliable supplies of natural gas to Australian manufacturers, supporting the economy and jobs in local communities.

“This investment follows strong project execution and natural gas production performance at Atlas, with reservoir performance and well availability continuing to excel”, Mr Davies said.

Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said the expansion at the site 20km southwest of Wandoan would create jobs and stimulate the region’s economy as the Palaszczuk Government continues to implement its strong COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“Senex’s expansion at Atlas is slated to create 100 jobs and inject about $15 million into our regional communities,” Mr Stewart said.

“Natural gas production is an important part of Queensland’s resources sector, a sector that has supported an average of 76,000 direct jobs through the pandemic.

“Queensland really does lead the nation when it comes to gas policy, and it’s thanks to the Palaszczuk Government that we’re able to keep more gas on Australian shores to benefit local businesses and families.

“In 2018, Senex Energy was awarded the first Australian market supply condition tenure, guaranteeing the gas they extract goes to the Australian market.”

Since then, Senex Energy has signed supply contracts with a range of businesses across the east coast Australia, ensuring Queensland gas isn’t just creating jobs in Queensland, but also interstate.

Atlas is the first natural gas acreage in Australia dedicated to domestic supply – supplying much-needed natural gas to the east coast market for production of electricity and everyday consumer products from bricks and beverage bottles.

To view Minister for Resources – Hon Scott Stewart’s Media Statement, visit: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92958

What does this mean for landholders?

If you’re a landholder in the Surat, Galilee or Bowen basins and wish to know more about what to expect with gas field developments, the GasFields Commission (the Commission) strongly encourages you to download a copy of our flagship publication, The Gas Guide 2.0, to obtain all the information you need to negotiate a fair and reasonable outcome should a resource company request to operate on your land.

Gas Guide 2.0 catalogues pertinent information that landholders need to know about the various stages of petroleum and gas development in Queensland – beginning with the advertisement and awarding of new exploration tenders (see Chapter 3 – Exploration Phase).

If you have any questions regarding the exploration process, Queensland’s onshore gas industry or you would like to receive a hard copy (ring binder) of The Gas Guide 2.0, please contact us directly via:

• Web: Contact Form
• Phone: (07) 3067 9400
• Email: enquiries@gfcq.org.au

Who are the GasFields Commission Queensland?

Established as an independent statutory body in 2013, the Commission’s purpose is to manage and improve the sustainable coexistence of landholders, regional communities and the onshore gas industry in Queensland. The Commission manages sustainable coexistence in petroleum and gas producing regions of Queensland, and will continue to do so as the industry expands into new and emerging basins.

Our vision is to achieve thriving communities in areas of gas development that are free from discord and supported by well-informed, respectful and balanced stakeholder relationships.

One way the Commission is endeavouring to realise this vision is by providing transparency and independent assurances that the onshore gas industry is appropriately regulated and held to account when needed. This in turn will help cultivate sustainable coexistence, whilst ensuring community and landholder confidence in the regulators and gas industry increases.

Drawing on its wealth of experience in the development of the gas industry and by collaborating with other relevant entities, the Commission provides a range of support to communities and landholders, primarily through education and engagement. These education and engagement activities occur with individual landholders via Commission facilitated webinars, information sessions, publications (The Gas Guide, Shared Landscapes Reports), face-to-face meetings and public workshops.

It should be noted that the Commission does not engage in individual negotiations between landholders and gas companies, but rather provides communities and landholders with the information and support they need to make informed decisions and achieve good outcomes.