The government invites industry to shape the annual offshore petroleum exploration acreage release by nominating future areas for release each year. Nominated areas are considered for release against government objectives and consultation outcomes.

Please note that nominating large numbers of areas can create concerns from other marine users and impact on community acceptance of the offshore petroleum industry. Nominations 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 scheduled bidding period (July to March) We do not place limits on the number of nominations you can put forward, however the government may change this if: •areas are routinely not bid on
•nominations consistently lack a well-considered rationale Nomination areas, or parts of areas, may be excluded for various reasons including, but not limited to: •National security or legal reasons. For example, if a nominated area extends into a green or yellow Australian marine park zone, or is impacted by international maritime boundaries; •Where precompetitive open-file studies of the geology or other features of the area are being undertaken; •The ability to undertake efficient exploration in a nominated area. Considerations may include the impact of Biologically Important Areas (BIA) on exploration activities.
The Joint Authorities must consider and endorse release areas before they can progress to the bidding rounds. It is important to provide sufficient reasoning for nominations, particularly in frontier areas where existing infrastructure is limited. This is so we can ensure long-term energy supply into the future. Consideration will also be given to current government objectives to decide whether to progress the area through the acreage release process.

You can save the form for up to 3 days while you complete it. After 3 days of inactivity the form will be deleted and cannot be recovered. To save the form at any stage, click ‘Save for later’ located near the top, left-hand corner of the form and record the tracking code. To return to a form you have saved, have your tracking code ready and select ‘resume a saved form’ located at the top of the page. When you submit your form, you will receive an email with a copy of your form and the tracking code. You cannot make changes to your nomination after you submit it. On the ‘Submission success’ page, there is an option to ‘start a new form’. Clicking this option will prefill your Nominee details.

Read about the offshore petroleum exploration acreage release process.

Email petroleum.exploration@industry.gov.au

Subscribe to the Australian Petroleum News for updates on offshore oil and gas activities.

Map sheet (1:1,000,000) *
The map sheet reference is two letters followed by two numbers, for example, SF49.

Graticular blocks must be entered into the form or uploaded as an attachment. A combination of both options cannot be used. For areas greater than 10 graticular blocks, please submit the list via an attachment.