Australia’s oil and gas industry is gearing up for significant activity in 2025, with expansions of existing operations and several new projects expected to commence gas production within 18 months.
According to the Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA), 19 projects are currently in the planning phase through 2029, requiring an estimated 3,500 workers during their operational stages.
Recent shifts in state and federal policies have fostered a more supportive environment for exploration and project development. Gas policy updates in Western Australia and Queensland will expedite the development of new gas reserves and the expansion of existing facilities, driving increased labour demand and growth across the sector.
Here is an overview of some of the biggest oil and gas projects in Australia with planned activity in 2025, which will provide a growing pool of job opportunities and competition for subsurface talent.
Barossa – Backfill to Darwin LNG
Where: Timor Sea
Capacity: 380 TJ/day
Estimated operational date: 2026
Santos’ Barossa gas project, located offshore of the Northern Territory, has now surpassed the 70% completion mark and is anticipated to provide the first gas by 2026. With construction underway for the Darwin Pipeline Duplication system, the project has also made significant progress on its subsea infrastructure, with all six infield subsea flowlines installed. An estimated workforce of 350 will keep the project running once in the production phase.
To date, milestones include the completion of a 262km gas export pipeline and its subsequent testing in June 2024, along with progress on the third of six planned development wells.
Scarborough– Pluto Train 2 Expansion
Where: Western Australia
Capacity: 5mtpa gas
Estimated operational date: 2026
Woodside’s mega Scarborough Energy Project is scheduled to deliver its first LNG cargo in 2026 through the Pluto LNG facility near Karratha, with a second processing train under construction. Currently two-thirds complete, once operational, the Pluto train will have the capacity to produce 8 million tonnes of LNG annually. Woodside expects approximately 600 jobs to be linked to the project once it’s up and running.
Surat – Phase 2
Where: Queensland
Capacity: 130 TJ/day
Estimated operational date: 2026
Arrow Energy, owned by Shell Australia and PetroChina, announced a second-phase expansion of its Surat Gas Project between Dalby and Wandoan, with construction starting in late 2024. Set to create 1,000 jobs over its lifetime, the project currently has 250 operational wells, with Phase 2 to include up to 450 wells. Surat is expected to produce a total of around 5 trillion cubic feet of gas over its lifetime, making it a major contributor to gas supply for eastern Australia.
Crux – Backfill to Prelude FLNG
Where: Western Australia
Capacity: 580 TJ/day
Estimated operational date: 2027
The Crux development, located in the northern Browse Basin off north-west Australia, is another key oil and gas project in Australia. Operated by Shell, the initiative was given the green light in 2024 for new drilling and infrastructure installation that will provide a vital source of backfill gas for Prelude FLNG. The Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA) estimates that the project will require a 327-strong workforce.
Equus
Where: Western Australia
Capacity: 2 trillion cubic feet (tcf) in reserve
Estimated operational date: 2027
Located in the Carnarvon Basin and managed by Western Gas, the Equus project is expected to reach a final investment decision by 2024 and be operational within the next two years. Western Gas has also signed a development agreement with Global Oil and Gas to use the Equus fields for a proposed LNG production hub. This includes plans for a floating LNG production facility as part of the project’s development strategy. A workforce of 142 will be employed by the project, according to AREEA figures.
Narrabri
Where: New South Wales
Capacity: 150 TJ/day
Estimated operational date: 2028
Currently facing a native title battle, Santos expects its Narrabri coal seam gas project to receive a final investment decision in 2025. Once operational, Narrabri could meet almost half of NSW’s gas demand, according to Santos.
Presently, Narrabri’s appraisal wells are supplying gas to Wilga Park Power Station, a 22- facility. Narrabri and its connected projects are expected to create up to 1,700 jobs during construction and 200 operational positions.
Dorado Oil Development – Phase 1
Where: Western Australia
Estimated Volume: 75,000 – 100,000 barrels per day
Estimated installation date: 2027
The Dorado project, recognised as one of Australia’s most significant oil discoveries in recent history, is set to become the nation’s only major offshore oilfield development currently in planning. After a two-year hiatus, the project is progressing with plans to approach contractors for the offshore platform, targeting an EPCI contract award by October 2025 and installation by mid-2027.
With an anticipated annual production of 27 to 36 million barrels, the Dorado development has the potential to significantly boost national oil output. The Santos and Carnarvon joint venture aims to resume front-end engineering design (FEED) work later this year, with an FID slated for 2025. As the design and economic framework are refined, Dorado is set to play a pivotal role in shaping Australia’s energy future.
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These Australian oil and gas projects signal growing confidence within the industry and a busy outlook for years ahead.
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