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
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices






