8412.0 - Mineral and Petroleum Exploration, Australia, Sep 2016  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 05/12/2016   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

SUMMARY COMMENTARY


MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)


TOTAL EXPENDITURE

The trend estimate for total mineral exploration expenditure increased 0.6% ($2.1m) to $349.2m in the September quarter 2016. The largest contributor to the increase in the trend estimate this quarter was Western Australia (up 1.9%, $4.2m). The current quarter estimate is 0.8% lower than the September quarter 2015 estimate.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for mineral exploration expenditure rose 1.0% ($3.5m) to $351.3m in the September quarter 2016. The largest contributor to the rise this quarter was Queensland (up 14.3%, $6.3m).

MINERAL EXPLORATION, Seasonally adjusted and trend
Graph: Mineral Exploration (Time Series Estimate): Expenditure and Metres Drilled, ; Total deposits , Australia


In original terms, mineral exploration expenditure rose 7.2% ($25.6m) to $379.5m in the September quarter 2016. Exploration on areas of new deposits rose 9.3% ($9.7m) and expenditure on areas of existing deposits rose 6.3% ($15.8m).

In original terms, the largest increase by minerals sought came from expenditure on coal (up 22.8%, $6.9m).

MINERAL EXPLORATION, Original series
Graph: MINERAL EXPLORATION, Original series



METRES DRILLED

The trend estimate for metres drilled rose 0.4% in the September quarter 2016. The current quarter estimate is 12.9% higher than the September quarter 2015 estimate.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for metres drilled rose 0.8% in the September quarter 2016.

METRES DRILLED, Seasonally adjusted and trend
Graph: METRES DRILLED, Seasonally adjusted and trend


In original terms, metres drilled rose 0.1%. Drilling in areas of new deposits rose 28.9% and drilling in areas of existing deposits fell 8.6%.

METRES DRILLED, Original series
Graph: METRES DRILLED, Original series



PETROLEUM EXPLORATION


TOTAL EXPENDITURE

The trend estimate for total petroleum exploration expenditure fell 6.9% (-$23.9m) to $324.5m in the September quarter 2016. Exploration expenditure on production leases fell 35.7% (-$18.3m) and exploration expenditure on all other areas fell 0.5% (-$1.6m).

The seasonally adjusted estimate for total petroleum exploration expenditure rose 22.2% ($65.8m) to $361.9m in the September quarter 2016. Exploration expenditure on production leases fell 46.7% (-$27.2m) and exploration expenditure on all other areas rose 39.1% ($93.0m).

The largest contributor to the decrease in the trend estimate was Western Australia (down 12.7%, -$32.2m) and the largest contributor to the rise in the seasonally adjusted estimate was Northern Territory (up 209.0%, $42.0m).

PETROLEUM EXPLORATION, Seasonally adjusted and trend
Graph: PETROLEUM EXPLORATION, Seasonally adjusted and trend



ONSHORE

The trend estimate for onshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 5.8% (-$4.6m) to $75.1m in the September quarter 2016. Expenditure on drilling fell 3.4% (-$1.2m) and other onshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 6.2% (-$2.7m).

The seasonally adjusted estimate for onshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 41.8% ($27.4m) to $92.9m in the September quarter 2016. Expenditure on drilling rose 32.9% ($10.2m) and other onshore petroleum exploration rose 49.9% ($17.2m).

PETROLEUM EXPLORATION: ONSHORE, Seasonally adjusted and trend
Graph: PETROLEUM EXPLORATION: ONSHORE, Seasonally adjusted and trend



OFFSHORE

The trend estimate for offshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 6.4% (-$17.3m) to $251.3m in the September quarter 2016. Expenditure on drilling fell 16.4% (-$29.3m) and other offshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 13.4% ($12.0m).

The seasonally adjusted estimate for offshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 16.7% ($38.4m) to $269.0m in the September quarter 2016. Expenditure on drilling fell 12.2% (-$19.5m) and other offshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 81.8% ($57.9m).

PETROLEUM EXPLORATION: OFFSHORE, Seasonally adjusted and trend
Graph: PETROLEUM EXPLORATION: OFFSHORE, Seasonally adjusted and trend



NOTES

FORTHCOMING ISSUES

ISSUE (QUARTER) Release Date
December 2016 27 February 2017
March 2017 5 June 2017
June 2017 4 September 2017
September 2017 4 December 2017



CHANGES TO THE CURRENT ISSUE
  • There are no changes to this issue.


INQUIRIES

Inquiries about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. The ABS Privacy Policy outlines how the ABS will handle any personal information that you provide to us.