Energy from oil and gas overview

CSIRO research is focused on delivering science and solutions to the Australian energy industry whilst reducing the negative environmental impacts.

• 1 December 2005 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Oil
• Gas

CSIRO is undertaking an active research program to deliver technology that will help maximise Australia's petroleum self-sufficiency and ensure a clean energy future.

We are working towards achieving zero emissions technologies.

Oil

The price of petrol and world oil supply are prominent subjects in the media every week. The availability of petroleum resources has a profound impact on the nation’s liquid fuels self sufficiency and, potentially, on our economic security.

CSIRO is working on technologies to improve ways of finding more oil through:

• reducing exploration risk
• optimising reservoir definition and performance
• improving drilling and well performance.

We are also developing technologies for improved production through petrochemical modelling and process design and optimisation.

Gas

Australia is blessed with massive reserves of gas which can be found mainly on the North West Shelf off the northern coast of Western Australia.

Australia’s 25 year agreement to supply gas to China is the nation's largest single export contract.

Over the next 50 years gas is likely to be the first major substitute for oil in transport fuels.

CSIRO is working with industry to enhance extraction techniques and find ways to store the carbon dioxide which is often found in gas reserves. Our research in this area includes:

• gas-to-liquids technology
• CO2 sequestration
• coal bed methane
• novel gas processing.

Our biggest challenge is finding ways to access gas reserves in very deep water, also known as stranded gas.

CSIRO is developing other technologies for the transition to new energy sources, working towards a future hydrogen economy with research in:

Read more about our work in Energy from Oil & Gas.