Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt today announced measures to provide flexibility to offshore oil and gas explorers to provide greater assistance during the Coronavirus outbreak.

This followed agreement by COAG resources ministers at yesterday’s roundtable meeting. 

Greater flexibility will be available to explorers in an effort to assist the sector to manage and plan through the current COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure ongoing, future investment.

The measures provide for a simplified application process to suspend and extend existing work programs, as well as further flexibility to be applied to well expectations in the renewal of exploration permits.

Exploration will be key to recovery in the sector post-pandemic. The 2020 offshore petroleum acreage release will proceed as planned with some key adjustments, including an increased consultation period on nominated areas and an alternative to the public launch event later this year. 

“The offshore petroleum industry in Australia faces challenging times in the current environment,” Minister Pitt said.

“It is critical that explorers are offered greater flexibility as they are key to ensuring Australia’s energy security into the future.

“The Australian Government is committed to working with the oil and gas industry in order to provide support and flexibility given the changing circumstances at this time.”

Guidance on the new measure is available on the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator’s (NOPTA) website at www.nopta.gov.au.

Media contact: Minister Pitt's office 02 6277 7180