Crown Minerals hopes the government will later this month approve plans for the calling of tenders for five onshore and offshore blocks covering 30,450 sqkm over the basin, which covers a total of approximately 55,000 sqkm.

A total of 11 wells, four offshore, have been drilled in the basin. None has been deemed commercial, though the Galleon-1 well encountered a 21m-thick gas-condensate column and there were gas-condensate shows during the drilling of Clipper-1.

Crown Minerals petroleum business manager Clyde Bennett said the blocks had been set aside to put together a reasonable acreage offering for the forthcoming bidding round. "We've had early indications from people that there is interest."