Petroleum tenure

A coal seam gas (CSG) project requires a government-issued petroleum tenure before any activities are carried out.

There are two main types of petroleum tenures for coal seam gas extraction:

  • an authority to prospect (ATP), granted for a maximum of 12 years for the exploration and testing of CSG resources.
  • a petroleum lease (PL), given to facilitate production of CSG resources for a maximum of 30 years.

More information on petroleum and gas authorities can be found on the Business Queensland website.

Environmental authority

An environmental authority (EA) is required before a petroleum tenure can be granted. However, the holder (Arrow) cannot explore for, test or produce CSG until the EA is granted.

There is more information about environmental licences and permits on the Business Queensland website.

Regional Interest Development Approval

A regional interests development approval (RIDA) may be required when a resource or regulated activity is proposed to occur in an area of regional interest.  Assessment applications are made to the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDMIP).

Further details about the Regional Planning Interests Act can be found in the Regional Planning Interests Act.

Petroleum Pipeline Licence

To construct a petroleum pipeline outside the area of your PL, you need to obtain a Petroleum Pipeline Licence (PPL). The PPL gives you the right to construct and operate the pipeline on designated 'pipeline land.' This is defined as land that you either own or over which you have:

  • an easement
  • a written agreement with the landowner to enter to construct and operate the pipeline, or
  • a Part 5 permission.

Two types of licences are available:

  • Area  PPL allows you to build a system of pipes within the area of the licence without having to have a licence for each single pipeline. An area PPL can extend over several adjacent petroleum leases.
  • Point‐to‐point PPL is granted from one point, or points, to another point, or points.

Potential Commercial Area

You can apply to have an area of your ATP declared as a potential commercial area (PCA) so that you can evaluate the potential production and market opportunities for the resource.

The PCA is a way of retaining an area of your ATP beyond its term to provide extra time to commercialise the resource. The maximum term for an ATP is 12 years, while the declaration for the PCA can be for up to 15 years.

When you apply for a PCA you must include a commercial viability report that shows that the area is likely to be commercially viable within 15 years. You must also include an evaluation program that shows how you will overcome any factors inhibiting the commercial viability of the project.

Petroleum Facility Licence

You will require a petroleum facility licence (PFL) for a processing, refining, storage or transport facility if the facility is not already covered by your petroleum lease or pipeline licence.

The PFL provides the right to construct and operate the facility on 'petroleum facility land'. This is defined as land that you either own, or over which you have:

  • an easement
  • a written agreement with a landowner to enter to construct and operate the facility on their land, or
  • a Part 5 permission.