What are Oil and Gas?
Natural gas is an abundant Australian energy resource which has been used for more than 100 years. It is naturally occurring compound made up of mainly methane. Odourless and colourless, it is found in different types of rocks, including sandstones, coal seams and shale.

Oil is a liquid hydrocarbon formed deep underground from the decomposition of sea organisms such as plankton and algae. Over millions of years, heat and pressure from the changing geology transform this organic matter into oil and gas, most commonly referred to as crude oil.
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Crude oil is a naturally occurring liquid. However, condensate is a mixture of liquid and pentane as well as heavier hydrocarbons which are associated with natural gas and are usually found in gas fields. 

Did you know that methane is the primary component of natural gas? It features heavily in our everyday lives, from shampoo to kidney dialysis machines. Natural gas is used to produce fertilsers, plastics, polymers, paints and dyes. Oil is in the asphalt of our roads and the feedstock for a huge range of plastics and synthetic materials. ​

How is it used?
​Natural gas partners with renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to provide a secure, affordable and reliable source of electricity. A number of South Australian companies, such as Orora, depend on gas to operate. 

Crude oil and condensate are used in aviation fuel, vehicle fuel and petrochemicals. By-products from oil refining are used in the production of plastics and chemicals, as well as many lubricants, waxes, tars, and asphalts. 

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About 65 years ago, a tiny company named Santos took a punt on finding oil and gas in the Cooper Basin. Few dreamt of the scope of their success or how important the company would be in shaping the future of South Australia.

The Cooper Basin, known globally as a super Basin, has been an extraordinary resource for SA and Australia. After 60 years of yielding oil and gas, the Basin shows no signs of diminishing.

​​Read more here.

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​Did you know?
Santos Energy Solutions is working on a demonstration scale project with Osaka Gas Australia to produce carbon neutral e-methane from green hydrogen.

Cooper Energy is Australia’s first domestic gas producer certified by Climate Active as carbon neutral and has been Net Zero in respect of Scope 1, 2 and controllable Scope 3 emissions since 2020. 

Where are Oil and Gas produced in South Australia?
Oil and gas in South Australia are primarily produced in the Cooper Basin and the Otway Basin.
 
The Cooper Basin spans the borders of northeast South Australia and southwest Queensland. Major producing projects in the basin include Santos’ Cooper Basin asset, housing key infrastructure at Moomba, Cooper Energy’s oil production, development and exploration activities, Beach Energy’s oil operation in the Western Flank of the Cooper Basin, and Vintage Energy’s Vali gas project.  
 
The Otway Basin is a rift basin located in onshore and offshore South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. Major producing projects in the basin include Beach Energy’s Otway Gas Plant, and Cooper Energy’s gas exploration and production, including its Casino Henry gas project.

Tri-Star holds a number of mineral and petroleum licenses including in the Simpson Basin and Arckaringa Basin 

Gas powers manufacturing, like the Orora glass factory

Gas helps keep the lights on

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