Greenhouse gas storage in Queensland

On 12 June 2024, legislative changes were introduced to permanently ban all greenhouse gas (GHG) storage and injection activities in Queensland’s Great Artesian Basin (GAB).

Prohibiting activities that involve the storage or injection of GHG streams into the GAB will protect its unique environmental, social, economic, and cultural values from the potential safety and environmental risks posed by carbon dioxide injection.

Scope of the ban

The legislative changes apply to all existing and future proposals within the Queensland GAB boundaries. The ban applies to:

GHG storage activities, such as carbon capture and storage, under the Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009 (GGS Act)
enhanced petroleum recovery using a GHG stream under the Petroleum Act 1923 and the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004
environmental approvals and applications under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

For the purpose of the ban the GAB is defined as the area on or below the surface of the plan area under the Water Plan (Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers) 2017 (PDF, 1.2MB)

Legislative changes

The Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 (the MEROLA Bill) was passed by the Queensland Parliament on 12 June 2024. The amendments commenced on assent of the MEROLA Act 2024, which occurred on 18 June 2024.

Resources Acts amended by the MEROLA Bill

Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009

To end current GHG exploration permits and withdraw requests and applications relating to GHG exploration, storage, and injection in the GAB.
To prohibit future GHG exploration permit and lease applications by deeming the GAB as unavailable land.

Petroleum Act 1923 and Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004

To make enhanced petroleum recovery using a GHG stream an unauthorised activity for an authority to prospect and petroleum lease in the GAB.
To withdraw existing applications proposing to use GHG streams for enhanced petroleum recovery in the GAB.

Environmental Protection Act 1994

To end current environmental approvals and applications relating to GHG exploration and GHG stream injection, noting that future applications for GHG exploration or storage are prohibited under the GGS Act.
To mandate a condition which prohibits enhanced petroleum recovery using GHG streams in the GAB for existing granted environmental authorities and prohibit future applications for these activities.

Future GHG storage activities outside the GAB

GHG storage and enhanced petroleum recovery using GHG streams may still proceed in areas outside the GAB. This is subject to Queensland’s existing rigorous assessment and approval process that considers the potential environmental, economic and social impacts and measures to avoid, minimise or mitigate potential impacts of such activities.

The Queensland Government will also establish a technical expert panel to undertake a technical review of the safety aspects of GHG storage in areas outside the GAB.

The review will inform any future releases of land for GHG storage exploration through competitive tender in Queensland.

More information on the panel and the review will be available soon.

Contact

Email futureeconomy@resources.qld.gov.au for more information.

Additional information

Last updated: 21 June 2024
Last reviewed: 21 June 2024