The Queensland government and Denison Gas have announced a major onshore gas discovery north of Roma featuring proven tight-gas resources.
This discovery signals a significant expansion of the state's energy capacity and supports the industrial needs of heavy manufacturing. The find arrives as the state government aggressively pursues growth in the extractive sector to bolster regional economic output.
Gas is currently flowing from two [2] of the wells located north of Roma, which are now supplying the Boyne Island aluminium smelter, a Denison Gas spokesperson said [2]. The discovery follows a recent exploration program consisting of four [2] wells.
A Denison Gas spokesperson said the most recent program proved vast tight gas resources in deep sandstone reservoirs [2]. This technical achievement allows the company to tap into resources that were previously difficult to extract, ensuring a steady flow of energy to critical infrastructure.
The announcement comes amid a broader push by the Crisafulli government to expand the state's mining and energy footprint. Des Houghton said over 12 [1] mines and gas fields have opened in Queensland since the Crisafulli government came into power [1].
The Natural Resources and Mining Minister said the discovery is a key win for the state's resource sector. By securing domestic supply for facilities like the Boyne Island smelter, the government aims to reduce reliance on external energy sources, while increasing the state's export potential for the future.
“Gas is flowing from two of these wells north of Roma and is supplying the Boyne Island aluminum smelter.”
The discovery and subsequent supply of gas to the Boyne Island aluminium smelter demonstrate a strategic shift toward accelerating onshore resource extraction under the current administration. By prioritizing 'tight gas'—which requires more complex extraction than conventional gas—Queensland is expanding its technical capabilities to ensure industrial stability for its energy-intensive smelting operations.
