Petroleum developments in Australia and Oceania in 1974

Exploration and development activity in Australia declined in 1974 relative to 1973. Footage drilled (161,888 ft; 49,057 m) onshore was 50% less than in 1973. Offshore, most of the drilling (294,363 ft; 89,201 m) continued to be centered on the northwest shelf where 24 wildcats were drilled in waters of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Three successful wildcat or extension gas wells and 1 oil well were drilled in the report area. Onshore there was 1 successful wildcat, a gas well, drilled in Queensland in eastern Australia. There were no offshore development wells drilled in 1974 and onshore development was confined to 2 gas wells in the Cooper basin, South Australia, and 4 gas wells in the Surat basin, Queensland. Geophysical work also was at an equally low level compared with previous years.