Photo: The Australian

Minister for Resources Tim Pallas announced the initiative today during an opening address to the International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne.

The surveying is part of the $42.5 million Victorian Gas Program, which will produce a clear picture of the state’s prospective onshore and offshore gas resources, as well as options for underground gas storage.

From next year, airborne gravity data will be collected using a specially-equipped aircraft that will fly as low as 80 metres above the sea surface, allowing the aircraft to collect the highest quality data.

The data will then be used by geologists to detect rock structures deep inside the earth, while a gravity meter will help detect changes in gravity and rock density.

This aerial work will provide new geoscientific data to identify areas off the Victorian coast that are prospective for offshore gas.

The Minister also announced plans to further strengthen offshore gas exploration – specifically in the Otway geological basin – by advancing plans to release offshore areas for commercial exploration next year.

This will include the release of 18,000 square kilometres of new offshore acreage within Victorian waters, an expanse the equivalent ten times that of Port Phillip Bay.

Discussions with industry are imminent and the release will help promote more commercial gas exploration and development before the end of next year.

Meanwhile, the Turnbull Government continues to ignore repeated requests to partner with the Victorian Gas Program.

It has also failed to act on its report into the Offshore South East Australia Future Gas Supply Study which was due for public release in August.

Victoria calls on the Commonwealth to show leadership and partner with the state in an expanded offshore geoscience program.