Oil and gas search starting in Tasmania

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2001
Oil and gas search starting in Tasmania

The first major search for oil and gas in Tasmania will start next month.

Great South Land Minerals says it's confident that its seismic survey will disprove
the long-held belief that there's no oil or gas in mainland Tasmania.

Chief executive DAVID TANNER says evidence from oil seeps and known matured source
rocks indicate there's a strong chance of finding oil and gas in the Tasmanian basin --
which covers roughly the eastern half of the state.

The initial $2 million survey, which will involve about six weeks of field work, will
cover about 600 linear kilometres in an area south of Launceston.

Mr TANNER says early forecasts suggest the basin could contain three billion barrels
of oil and four trillion cubic feet of gas -- more than sufficient to make them commercially
viable.

AAP RTV dw/jx/jn

KEYWORD: OIL TAS (HOBART)

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