Optimising Australia’s undeveloped offshore gas resources: an analysis of development priorities

Within Australian waters, undeveloped gas resources exceed 100 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), representing a significant opportunity to bolster the nation’s energy security. While there are planned developments and clear pathways to market for certain joint venture-aligned resources, a substantial volume of gas will likely remain stranded, lacking any immediate development opportunities. Considering Australia’s depleting gas resources and anticipated gas supply-demand shortfalls, the benefits of commercialising undeveloped fields should be considered. Future offshore acreage releases are expected to concentrate on proven and near-field opportunities. These areas typically have lower resource potential but offer a higher likelihood of success than more speculative frontier exploration. Therefore, understanding the evolution of smaller, undeveloped fields is pivotal in prioritising development efforts. This paper reviews the location of stranded gas. Financial incentives could be necessary to stimulate the development of non-economic or lower-ranked resources compared with already established projects with secured financial backing. The paper also reviews the regional gas market supply and demand outlooks to identify the most promising opportunities, ensuring a strategic approach to maximising the potential of Australia’s offshore gas resources.