The Australian Government releases offshore areas for greenhouse gas storage (also known as carbon capture and storage). Public consultation informs areas that companies can apply for a permit to assess greenhouse gas storage potential.
Greenhouse gas storage is the permanent storage of compressed greenhouse gas in deep underground rock formations, also known as a basin. Permanently storing greenhouse gas will help Australia reduce emissions and achieve net zero by 2050.
The proposed acreage release areas are located 3 to 200 nautical miles off the Australian coastline. They include:
- Bonaparte
- Browse
- Northern Carnarvon
- Peth
- Otway
- Bass
- Gippsland.
Give feedback on proposed offshore acreage areas
The consultation process is an opportunity to comment on nominated areas. We are seeking feedback from anyone who:
- has an interest in a specific release area
- can provide information relevant to potential exploration and appraisal in that area.
The purpose of the consultation is to uncover any unforeseen impacts of future exploration and appraisal activities on:
- other marine users like fishing or transport
- sites that affect the environment, tourism or local communities
- areas that affect First Nations cultural heritage.
The Minister for Resources will consider this feedback to inform final approval to release an area for industry to bid on for assessment permits. As a result of the consultation, areas may be re-shaped or excluded from the bidding round. An area will not be included in the release if any issues cannot be managed through regulatory approvals. The bidding phase will begin later this year, with a bidding window of 3 months.
We also provide information from the consultation, along with other information about each area, to companies applying for assessment permits and proposing to work in an area. Permit holders must also meet a range of other environmental requirements before starting any offshore exploration activities in Australian Commonwealth waters.
Access information about nominated areas and have your say on our Consultation hub.
Consultation is open until 30 June 2023.