To responsibly manage Western Australia’s petroleum and geothermal energy resources, the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (the Department) periodically releases discrete areas for which applications can be made for exploration permits (section 30 of the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (the Act). This involves a competitive work-program bid process.
Discrete areas are selected based on a combination of nominations from proponents and from reserved prime areas. Generally, acreage releases are made annually and are formally announced in the Western Australian Government Gazette, with detailed information on each release area published directly on the department’s website.
The approved manner for lodging an application for an exploration permit is through the department’s secure online Petroleum and Geothermal Register (PGR) by the closing date and time stipulated in the Western Australian Government Gazette notice inviting applications.
Applications will not be accepted by hand delivery or post. For an application to be considered valid and accepted for assessment it must be completed in accordance with Section 31 of the Act.
Applications cannot be amended after lodgement, however, further clarifying information may be sought as part of the assessment process.
More information can be found in the Acreage Release and Designated Prime Areas Guidelines.
