Former QGC boss behind Surat tender
THE man who sparked the coal seam gas industry into life in Queensland is behind a successful tender for a swathe of land in the Surat Basin.
Former QGC boss Richard Cottee is heading up Central Petroleum, which won a State Government tender to explore over a 77ha parcel of land north west of Miles.
Armour Energy has been awarded permits to explore a 318sq km area 17km north of Surat, near the company’s existing tenures and existing infrastructure.
It follows Senex Energy’s success in the first tender for domestic gas last year.
Central Petroleum and Armour Energy will start exploring for more gas to feed the domestic east coast market after winning the latest tender for the Australian market only.
Central Petroleum has been awarded exploration permits for 77sq km in the Surat Basin, 28km northwest of Miles.
Mr Cottee said securing the tenement would help fulfil a goal to preserve local jobs in Australia.
“We support the dedication of land specifically for the exploration and production of domestic gas, and the awarding of this tender helps us to further this cause,” he said.
“The Queensland Government is helping to secure Australian industry and the right way to do this is by increasing rather than rationing supply.
“I congratulate the Government on its commitment.
“Increasing local supply will go a long way in ensuring that we can maintain a diversified economy and the jobs that come with it.”
Armour Energy chief executive officer Roger Cressey said the area would add to the company’s existing portfolio in the Roma shelf.