Queensland Opens up ‘Singapore-Sized’ Region for Oil Exploration

The Queensland government has announced plans to open up the state’s Taroom Trough to new oil and gas exploration, potentially uncovering Australia’s first major new oil region since the 1970s.

Three companies—Omega TN Pty Ltd, Tri-Star Stonecroft Pty Ltd, and Drillsearch Energy Pty Ltd—have been given permission to explore the 750 kilometre tract of land in South-West Queensland.

The size of the area is roughly the same size as Singapore or Tonga, and sits approximately 330 kilometres west of the capital Brisbane.

The exploration forms part of a larger package of exploration areas opened for tender by the state government in 2025, aimed at unlocking new energy supply.

“We’re sending a clear message that Queensland is open for business and this new exploration area is a critical step in boosting Queensland’s domestic energy supplies to put downward pressure on energy prices,” Minister for Natural Resources Dale Last said.

“This area is emerging as a real prospect to become Australia’s first major oil province since the 1970s, with serious potential to revitalise a domestic oil production industry.

“By giving industry confidence and laying the groundwork for new oil and gas production, we’re securing Queensland’s energy future, supporting regional jobs, and ensuring our resources sector remains strong for decades to come.”

Member for Warrego Ann Leahy said ensuring South West Queensland had sufficient gas supply was critical for both energy security and agriculture.

“Gas is a major input into fertiliser, so when we create more gas supply, we help put downward pressure on manufacturing costs right across the supply chain,” she said.

“That flow-on effect helps keep fertiliser more affordable for farmers and supports the industries our South West Queensland communities rely on.”

Conservation Group Critical of Plans

One environmental group accused the state government of not focusing on renewables.

“Celebrating a new 750 kilometre oil and gas exploration site shows David Crisafulli’s government is bending over backwards for the fossil fuel industry and risking our future by chaining us to the past,” said Queensland Conservation Council energy strategist Clare Silcock.

“The Crisafulli government’s energy policy is clearly driven by an ideology to support coal, gas and now oil which will hurt Queensland communities and drive up power bills.

“We need to see well planned new renewable energy backed by storage to keep Queensland’s electricity affordable and reliable into the future.”

Australia’s Dwindling Oil Supply

According to Geoscience Australia data released in 2025, Australia’s crude oil production has been in rapid decline and will only last until 2032 without new commercial discoveries.

Australia currently stands as a minor oil producer, ranking 31st in the world and accounting for just 0.4 percent of total oil production in 2023.

In that same year, Australia imported around 90 percent of its oil needs, mostly from, ironically, Singapore.

Currently, the majority of Australian oil production comes from offshore fields on Australia’s North West Shelf.