our neck of the woods

http://www.abc.net.au/site-archive/rural/nt/content/201210/s3601850.htm

Polly put us on to this by mentioning AJQ, so I've been keeping an eye on their tread - we're next door me thinks. Bon Swar.


Could the Georgina Basin be the next oil and gas hub?
By Steven Schubert
Tuesday, 2 October 2012

Could the Georgina Basin be an emerging centre for the oil and gas industry?

There's no shortage of exploration companies keen on the area, but the remoteness of the basin is providing some logistical headaches for one company.

Norwegian explorer Statoil is looking for shale oil in the southern end of the basin.

Senior vice president Atle Rettedal says he's hopeful the exploratory work will show plenty of resources in the area.

"The exciting thing about the south Georgina is the sheer size and it turned out sufficiently well on our assessment criteria.

"But it's exploration and that means you make a qualified bet and the likelihood of not getting something commercial is high, but we have sufficient belief to do this."

Mr Rettedal says his company is looking close to the Queensland border and that is providing several challenges.

"This is literally in the middle of nowhere, and you need to drill a number of wells, we need to get drilling rigs and people out there.

"The size of this and the remoteness and the distances are much more than most companies are used to."