A competitive tender process is open until August 7 for the rights to explore nine newly available areas in Queensland for gas.

Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last announced the opening up of the new tenures across the Cooper/Eromanga and Bowen/Surat Basins on Wednesday.

Related: Queensland drive to fire up gas development

They include two areas, one about 70km east of St George and one about 50km south of Miles, with domestic supply requirements.

Details on the parcel locations and size can be found HERE

The Queensland Resources Council described the State Government’s decision to unlock more land for gas exploration as a positive step towards the sector’s growth and energy security across Australia’s east coast. 

“QRC, through its exploration arm the Queensland Exploration Council, has been advocating to Government that more land be released for exploration to unlock more supply of gas into Queensland and the east coast,” QRC chief executive officer Janette Hewson said

“Queensland gas producers have long been doing the heavy lifting to meet demand that has kept industry running and the lights on in homes throughout eastern Australia. 

“QRC also welcomes the announcement of a three-month land release review to provide gas producers with greater certainty about tenures and reduce the possibility of overlap with other exploration.”