CURRENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SURAT/BOWEN BASINS

Abstract

The Surat/Bowen Basins could be called the cradle of Australia's petroleum development, having provided the first commercial production of both oil and gas. Whilst total volume remains relatively small, this is spread amongst a number of producer groups.

Success ratios for gas have remained high in 1982. Further planned installations will add to the existing infrastructure base in the region and maintain the impetus of development. Other longer-term developments are being canvassed ranging from pipelines to market gas from the northern Bowen Basin area, to a pipeline connection of Cooper Basin gas to the Surat/Bowen system. The Surat/Bowen Basins continue to appeal to smaller independent explorers thanks to low exploration costs and the prospect of cash flow in a short to medium time frame. A free-enterprise market in the Brisbane area with buyers competing for supplies, plus a potential market in Gladstone, are added incentives offering prospects of alternative-fuel-related pricing.

Some experiment with previously unused technologies has commenced including massive hydraulic fracture stimulation and new pipeline construction methods. Overall, the Surat/Bowen Basins should be able to supply the natural gas needs of southeastern Queensland and Gladstone for up to 20 years. To achieve this, continued high activity in projects of small to medium scale is required.