Permits to explore waters between South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania to establish new offshore gas wells have been approved by the federal government.
Esso and Beach Energy are expected to take up the exploration permits for the Otway Basin, which extends from south-west South Australia to north-west Tasmania, and the adjoining Sorrell Basin to the west of King Island and Tasmania.
The federal government is also offering several exploration permits to resources companies operating off the West Australian coast.
Resources Minister Madeleine King says gas is “critical for the transition” to renewable energy.