The Queensland government has approved new oil and gas exploration in the Taroom Trough (Queensland, Australia), appointing three energy companies as tenderers (Australian government press release, 10/02/2026). Omega TN Pty Ltd, Tri-Star Stonecroft Pty Ltd and Drillsearch Energy Pty Ltd were selected as the preferred tenderers to explore the 750 km2 area, which is located off the coasts South-West Queensland (Australia). The tender expects to “unluck future energy supplies to put downward pressure on prices” and gas production from the area would be destined for domestic consumption, as stipulated by the Australian Market Supply Condition.
Conservation groups have expressed their concerns about groundwater quality, fossil fuel emissions and protection of agricultural land, as well as the possible contradiction of the local state’s emissions reduction target of 75% below 2005 levels by 2035.
In 2024, Australia produced about 280 TWh of electricity of which 17% came from gas.
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