• Eight onshore blocks released for petroleum exploration
• WA's petroleum sector remains a key contributor to State's economic growth
• Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston is inviting industry to bid on eight onshore areas for petroleum exploration in Western Australia.

The blocks are located across the Canning, Northern Carnarvon, Amadeus, and Perth Basins, and vary in size from 400 to 7,070 square kilometres.

The release provides explorers with new opportunities to invest in WA's petroleum sector and offers long-term support in developing the State's oil and gas resources.

Successful applicants may be granted an exploration permit that allows them to conduct exploration activities, within the specified title for a period of six years.

All applications are subject to further approvals by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety before any exploration activity can take place.

The Department conducted a comprehensive assessment of environmental constraints, multiple land use planning, and native title considerations before releasing the blocks.

Hydraulic fracturing will not be authorised within any of the exploration permits.

This will be the only petroleum acreage release for 2023, with the application period closing at 4pm on 19 January 2024. For more information, visit https://dmirs.wa.gov.au/acreage_release

Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:
"WA's petroleum sector remains an important contributor to our State's ongoing economic success, with more than 12,600 workers employed in oil and gas.

"Energy Policy WA modelling found gas will continue to play an important role, with 3.9 gigawatts of new gas generation required to support the uptake of renewable energy by 2030.

"The Cook Government is committed to ensuring best-practice regulatory frameworks are in place for petroleum exploration - at no point will we compromise on environmental standards.

"The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and other Government agencies rigorously assess all WA petroleum activities and undertake regular environmental and safety compliance audits."

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