QRC welcomes Santos exploration project and domestic gas boost

THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has congratulated Santos on being awarded an Authority to Prospect (ATP) in the gas-rich Bowen and Surat Basins.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said Resources Minister Scott Stewart’s announcement that Santos had been granted a domestic gas ATP was a win for the gas industry and for industrial and household consumers.

“As the peak representative for the State’s gas, coal and metal explorers and producers, the QRC supports the Queensland Government’s policy of only offering tenures which produce domestic gas,” he said.

“To date, the government’s forward-looking domestic gas policy has released more than 20,000 square kilometres of land to help our manufacturing sector secure the gas it needs.

“The Government recommitted to its policy for domestic-only gas tenure releases to assist the manufacturing industry during the 2020 State election, so this announcement is testament this policy is working for Queensland, particularly in our recovery from COVID-19.

“Congratulations to Santos and its ongoing commitment to operating in Queensland.”

Mr Macfarlane said Queenslanders could count on resources to help with the State’s economic recovery from COVID.

“To give an idea of the significance of the oil and gas industry to Queensland, last year it supported more than 51,000 full-time equivalent jobs,” he said.

“During the same period, the oil and gas industry injected $5.1 billion – almost $14 million a day – into the Queensland economy.”

Mr Macfarlane said projects like Santos’ new exploration venture demonstrate the key role Queensland can play in providing resources to support the world’s transition to a low emissions future.

“This includes expanding our renewable energy industry, developing battery storage and hydrogen and operating Queensland’s modern coal and gas-fired generators,” he said.

www.qrc.org.au

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