Offshore petroleum exploration acreage release process  

The Australian Government releases oil and gas exploration areas in Australian Commonwealth waters each year. Companies can nominate and bid for these areas.

Oil and gas companies can participate in the acreage release by:

  • suggesting areas for future exploration in the nomination process
  • bidding to explore release areas. 

Anyone who has an interest in areas that may be released for bidding can have their say when we consult on nominated areas.

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Nominate areas for future exploration

The offshore petroleum industry is invited to shape the acreage release each year. You can submit nominations for release areas to be considered.

2024 acreage release

Nominations are open

The nominations portal is open year-round. Submissions made after 1 September 2022 will be considered as part of the 2024 offshore petroleum acreage release.

Before you start

Your nomination should demonstrate a genuine intent to start activities in the immediate term. As a guide:

  • If you represent an exploration and production company, your nomination would indicate a strong interest in exploring the area and potentially bidding in the next scheduled acreage release.
  • If you represent a geophysical company, you are expected to have recent non-exclusive data products over the nominated area available during the next bidding period.

We do not place limits on the number of nominations you can put forward. However the government may change this if:

  • areas are not routinely bid on
  • nominations consistently lack a well-considered rationale.

The Joint Authorities must consider and endorse release areas before they can progress to the bidding rounds. The Joint Authority is generally made up of the responsible federal minister and the relevant state or Northern Territory minister. 

Submitting your nomination

Complete the online nomination form on business.gov.au 

Please nominate non-contiguous areas separately.

In some cases we don’t progress nominations. Nominated areas, or parts of areas, may be excluded for various reasons including:

  • national security, for example if they impact international maritime boundaries
  • legal, for example if a nominated area extends into a green or yellow Australian marine park zone
  • where precompetitive open-file studies of the geology or other features of the area are being undertaken
  • where exploration activities may impact other marine users or biologically important areas.

See the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) interactive map to determine if your nomination may be affected.

You must provide reasons for nominating an area. This is crucial in frontier areas with limited infrastructure or social licence to operate.

The government will consider their priorities when deciding to release acreage in an area.

Considering area nominations

The minister considers a range of factors when selecting nominated areas for public consultation. These include:

  • national security and maritime boundaries
  • environmental regulations
  • commercial interest
  • proximity to markets and supporting infrastructure
  • social licence to operate
  • other marine users and offshore titleholders
  • strategic priorities of the government.

We also consult with:

  • state and territory governments
  • other Australian Government agencies.

Consultation on release areas

Before areas are released for bidding, the government undertakes a consultation process. We seek feedback from anyone who has an interest in a specific area and can provide information relevant to exploration in that area. This includes:

  • other government agencies
  • the public
  • other marine users, like the fishing, aquaculture and tourism industries.

To be notified of upcoming consultations subscribe to the Australian Resources news.

Consultation informs the Joint Authorities’ decision to release nominated areas. It also helps companies understand factors they may need to consider when applying for and working in an area.

We consulted on areas for inclusion in the 2022 acreage release. View details and feedback from stakeholders on our consultation hub.

    Bidding for exploration permits

    The Joint Authorities invite companies to bid on release areas. Areas available for bidding, and bid due dates, are published in the Australian Government Gazette. 

    2022 Offshore Petroleum Exploration Acreage Release

    There are 10 areas available for offshore oil and gas exploration. Bidding will close at 4.00 pm on Thursday 2 March 2023.
    Find areas and how to bid

    Planning your work bid

    When planning your work bid, you may want to:

    Applying as a foreign investor

    If you’re a foreign investor, you should familiarise yourself with Australia’s foreign investment framework. Failure to comply with the law may result in penalties.

    You’re responsible for getting any relevant Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approvals.

    You must submit evidence of FIRB approval with your application. You can submit evidence of FIRB approval after your application if the approval was pending when you applied. 

    NOPTA will not offer petroleum exploration permits until they receive the required FIRB approvals.

    See requirements for foreign investment in mining on the FIRB website.

    Email general enquiries to firbenquiries@treasury.gov.au.

    Assessing work bids

    NOPTA assesses bids against:

    They provide advice to the Joint Authorities who make the decision on successful bids.

    Exploration permits

    Successful bidders are offered an offshore petroleum exploration permit. This 6-year title can be renewed for a further 2 periods of 5 years. 

    NOPTA grants the permits on behalf of the relevant Joint Authority. 

    Oil and gas companies must meet several requirements before commencing offshore oil and gas activities. 

    Data and maps to support nominations and bidding