Offshore staff

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY -- Australia's Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson has announced the award of nine offshore exploration permits representing a $425 million investment.

Five permits were awarded off Northern Territory in the Bonaparte basin. Permit NT-P76, which is eligible for the Designated Frontier Area tax incentive, was awarded to SIPC Australia Pty Ltd., while Apache Northwest Pty Ltd. and Total E&P Australia were awarded permits AC/P42 and AC/P43 in equal partnership. Finder Exploration Pty Ltd. was awarded AC/P44 and AC/P45.

Three permits were in the Browse basin. Total E&P Australia won permit WA-408-P. A consortium including Santos Offshore Pty Ltd., Chevron Australia (W07-5) Pty Ltd., and Inpex Browse Ltd. was awarded WA-410-P, while Santos, Inpex, and Beach Petroleum Ltd. won permit WA-411-P.

Permit WA-409-P in the Carnarvon basin went to Cue Exploration Pty Ltd. and Gascorp Australia Pty Ltd.