Natural gas - the cleaner energy option

Natural gas is a proven, reliable and cost-efficient energy source for power generation and is expected to be the fastest-growing major fuel through 2040.

The expansion of natural gas is a prime example of how technological advances have enabled energy sources to adapt to the world’s changing needs. What began as a fuel to provide light has today evolved into a powerful tool for meeting rising demand for energy, while also helping to curb growth in energy-related CO₂ emissions. When used to generate electricity, gas can reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 60 percent versus coal.

Australia’s natural gas will play an increasingly important role in meeting the growing demand for energy in the Asia Pacific region, while at the same helping power economic growth and improving living standards.

Australian gas projects

ExxonMobil has invested more than $18 billion in major gas projects such as the Kipper Tuna Turrum and West Barracouta Projects in Victoria and the Gorgon Project in Western Australia, to develop Australia’s natural gas resources and deliver cleaner-burning energy.

The Kipper Tuna Turrum Project is the largest domestic gas development on the eastern seaboard. The $5.5 billion project is providing cleaner-burning natural gas supplies to help secure Victoria’s energy future, and holds enough energy to power a city of a million people for 35 years.

ExxonMobil is a 25 percent foundation partner in the iconic Gorgon Project. The project is developing the Greater Gorgon gas fields, including the Gorgon and Jansz-Io fields, located some 130 kilometres off the Western Australian coast. The Gorgon Project will ultimately encompass 11 gas fields containing an estimated total recoverable resource in excess of 40 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. This represents around 25 percent of Australia’s known gas resources.

Gas production in Bass Strait

For almost 50 years, oil and gas from Bass Strait has provided a great deal of the energy that allows Australians to go about their day. Since the first well was drilled in Bass Strait, almost 4 billion barrels of crude oil and 8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas have been produced.

Bass Strait has had a long history, but still has a very bright future. In Bass Strait broadly, we continue to look for opportunities to find new developments as well as extend the life of existing oil and gas fields.