Licensing round October update
The industry's most comprehensive list of current and recent rounds for onshore and offshore licences
Open rounds Australia’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy & Resources opened the 2020 Offshore Petroleum Acreage Release at an online event on 26 August. Keith Pitt, minister for resources, water & Northern Australia, announced a total of 42 areas available for offshore oil and gas exploration: 28 off Western Australia, five off the Northern Territory, three off Victoria and six off the Ashmore & Cartier Islands. The total area covers approximately 100,000km² across five basins. In his address, Pitt confirmed a more conservative approach: “This year’s acreage release is dominated by areas in established oil and gas areas with existing infrastructure.” The bidding will be op
Also in this section
12 December 2025
The federal government is working with Alberta to improve the country’s access to Asian markets and reduce dependence on the US, but there are challenges to their plans
12 December 2025
The latest edition of our annual Outlook publication, titled 'The shape of energy to come: Creating unique pathways and managing shifting alliances', is available now
11 December 2025
The removal of the ban on oil and gas exploration and an overhaul of the system sends all the right messages for energy security, affordability and sustainability
10 December 2025
The economic and environmental cost of the seven-year exploration ban will be felt long after its removal






