The Shell QGC venture has announced the largest natural gas expansion project in Queensland that will create up 350 jobs in the Western Downs region over the next two years
Project Goog-a-binge will see QGC drill about 250 new wells across its existing operations near Wandoan, Miles, Chinchilla and Tara, bringing about 930 petajoules of gas to market over the next 30 years for its domestic and export customers.
Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham welcomed the Shell QGC venture’s announcement, saying it would help ensure sustained gas supply to domestic customers as well as royalties to fund frontline services across the state.
“Most importantly, it will pump millions of dollars into local household budgets, local stores and local businesses for the next 30 years,” the Minister added.
Mr Lynham also invited local businesses to register online with EconomX, where the project and its contractors will seek expressions of interest for work packages.
“I understand QGC has already engaged three Chinchilla-based fabrication contractors for the project and just a couple of weeks ago I was in Toowoomba announcing that Easternwell had won a multi-million dollar, five-year contract with QGC,” he continued.
“Ongoing investment in Queensland’s $70 billion gas industry shows the policy settings are right.
“We expect the gas industry to continue to deliver for the south-west, and the Palaszczuk Government will continue to drive increased gas supply with innovative policy, to meet the needs of households and Australian manufacturers.”
The Shell QGC venture, which already employs close to 1000 people in Queensland, will start pre-construction and site preparation activities next month, with wells to start being drilled from January 2019 through to December 2019, subject to government approvals.
