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| Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development
The Honourable Dale Last |
19 June 2026
MEDIA STATEMENT: Crisafulli Government welcomes new major gas discovery in Queensland to supply domestic market
- New potential energy frontier found in Queensland’s Denison Trough with one of the largest onshore tight gas discoveries in a decade to power the domestic market.
- Queensland is continuing to do the heavy lifting for the East Coast market and remains the only jurisdiction to provide a stable investment location after NSW and VIC Labor Governments fail on new exploration position.
- The Crisafulli Government is open for business and delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy by backing in a resources industry that brings more energy supply into the domestic market.
The Crisafulli Government has welcomed a new major onshore gas discovery in Queensland’s Denison Trough – in the Maranoa region – that is also producing high-quality crude oil to continue the reliable supply to the East Coast market.
The gas is already flowing from two exploration wells and high production is expected from one of Queensland’s longest tight gas wells drilled last month north of Roma. Denison Gas will expand gas processing capabilities and oil storage capacity over the next 12 months.
Gas produced from the exploration wells is already making its way into the domestic market in Queensland, supplying the Boyne Island aluminium smelter managed by Rio Tinto and Queensland Magnesia’s processing plant, with oil produced from the wells sold to iOR.
This discovery reaffirms Queensland’s position as a critical energy supplier to Australia, with nearly 90 per cent of the East Coast gas market already supplied by Queensland.
Queensland continues to do the heavy lifting for the East Coast gas market, while the Victorian and New South Wales Labor Governments fail on their position on new gas exploration.
The Crisafulli Government continues to back in Queensland’s energy industry with a stable operating environment, releasing new land for exploration after the former Labor Government’s anti-gas policies stymied new investment and development.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the new development had the potential to open a new gas hub for Queensland in the Bowen Basin.
“This discovery has the potential to replicate the success of the Surat Basin with the new energy frontier already supplying natural gas and liquid fuels into the domestic market,” Minister Last said.
“We know that Queensland is the East Coast gas market and this resource will further secure long-term domestic energy supply, jobs, and cement Queensland’s position as an energy powerhouse.
“While the New South Wales and Victorian Labor Government refuse to develop their own resources, we’re just getting it done.”
Member for Warrego Ann Leahy said the Maranoa was the energy capital of Queensland and the region is primed to continue delivering for the East Coast market.
“Our region was the birthplace of Australian natural gas, and we are well equipped with the workforce and knowledge to get on with the job of keeping the lights on for Queensland,” Ms Leahy said.
“This discovery will have major flow on effects for our region – it means more local highly skilled jobs, more work for local suppliers and businesses, and economic growth in the community.
“The Crisafulli Government welcomes this discovery that will deliver more supply into the domestic market for households and industry, including as a feedstock in local manufacturing.”
Denison Gas Executive Chairman Dr Xingjin Wang said the discovery of gas and liquid fuel, along with strong support for the sector from the Queensland Government, was good for energy users.
“We’re focused on producing gas for local consumption and we’re delighted with this discovery and the boost it will give to Queensland and the nation,” Dr Wang said.
“Our discovery of gas is one of the largest onshore on the East Coast for at least a decade. A volume of 566 petajoules is enough energy to power Queensland homes for more than five years and could start to flow to gas users including industrial manufacturers by the end of the year.
“We welcome the Queensland Government’s proactive steps to accelerate exploration and fuel infrastructure development. This support provides the certainty needed for the industry to play its vital role in securing and increasing domestic gas and fuel supplies.”
The University of Queensland’s Gas and Energy Transition Research Centre Emeritus Professor Andrew Garnett said the discovery was evidence of Queensland gas producers using innovative ways to get gas to market.
“In oil and gas we have many examples around the world where new eyes on old data has uncovered significant but previously missed resources,” Professor Garnett said.
“If you add innovation and application of new technology as with Denison Gas, and when there is a supportive State Government, then more supply can flow.”
Denison’s most recent five-well exploration program is already supplying gas into the domestic market as the first company to connect pilot wells into a commercial pipeline network.