Mineral and Petroleum Exploration, Australia

This is not the latest release View the latest release

Expenditure and metres drilled in exploration for minerals and petroleum. Classified by state and commodity, and onshore/offshore for petroleum

Reference period

September 2019

Released

2/12/2019

View all releases

Mineral exploration

Total expenditure

The trend estimate for total mineral exploration expenditure increased 5.4% ($34.4m) to $671.6m in the September quarter 2019. The largest contributor to the increase in the trend estimate this quarter was Western Australia (up 6.8%, $27.2m). The current quarter estimate is 21.4% higher than the September quarter 2018 estimate.
The seasonally adjusted estimate for mineral exploration expenditure rose 4.8% ($31.1m) to $673.7m in the September quarter 2019. The largest contributor to the rise this quarter was Western Australia (up 7.2%, $28.5m).

Mineral exploration, seasonally adjusted and trend
	Seasonally adjusted ($m)	Trend ($m)
Sep-2011	935.3	932.3
Dec-2011	975.4	997.3
Mar-2012	1,042.6	1,022.5
Jun-2012	1,011.6	975.5
Sep-2012	852.5	890.7
Dec-2012	779.3	805.3
Mar-2013	793.6	739.9
Jun-2013	639.4	671.7
Sep-2013	603.5	588.2
Dec-2013	516.0	527.6
Mar-2014	484.3	496.1
Jun-2014	500.2	472.4
Sep-2014	428.3	450.6
Dec-2014	430.3	413.2
Mar-2015	377.2	377.1
Jun-2015	336.3	358.3
Sep-2015	367.4	352.4
Dec-2015	357.7	354.1
Mar-2016	345.7	349.4
Jun-2016	344.9	346.3
Sep-2016	354.2	355.7
Dec-2016	378.5	375.7
Mar-2017	395.8	400.6
Jun-2017	432.5	423.4
Sep-2017	443.9	446.9
Dec-2017	468.1	478.7
Mar-2018	520.3	513.9
Jun-2018	551.1	540.5
Sep-2018	548.2	553.1
Dec-2018	561.0	567.6
Mar-2019	596.5	599.0
Jun-2019	642.6	637.2
Sep-2019	673.7	671.6

Mineral exploration, seasonally adjusted and trend

["","Seasonally adjusted","Trend"]

[["Sep-2011","Dec-2011","Mar-2012","Jun-2012","Sep-2012","Dec-2012","Mar-2013","Jun-2013","Sep-2013","Dec-2013","Mar-2014","Jun-2014","Sep-2014","Dec-2014","Mar-2015","Jun-2015","Sep-2015","Dec-2015","Mar-2016","Jun-2016","Sep-2016","Dec-2016","Mar-2017","Jun-2017","Sep-2017","Dec-2017","Mar-2018","Jun-2018","Sep-2018","Dec-2018","Mar-2019","Jun-2019","Sep-2019"],[[935.29999999999995],[975.39999999999998],[1042.5999999999999],[1011.6],[852.5],[779.29999999999995],[793.60000000000002],[639.39999999999998],[603.5],[516],[484.30000000000001],[500.19999999999999],[428.30000000000001],[430.30000000000001],[377.19999999999999],[336.30000000000001],[367.39999999999998],[357.69999999999999],[345.69999999999999],[344.89999999999998],[354.19999999999999],[378.5],[395.80000000000001],[432.5],[443.89999999999998],[468.10000000000002],[520.29999999999995],[551.10000000000002],[548.20000000000005],[561],[596.5],[642.60000000000002],[673.70000000000005]],[[932.29999999999995],[997.29999999999995],[1022.5],[975.5],[890.70000000000005],[805.29999999999995],[739.89999999999998],[671.70000000000005],[588.20000000000005],[527.60000000000002],[496.10000000000002],[472.39999999999998],[450.60000000000002],[413.19999999999999],[377.10000000000002],[358.30000000000001],[352.39999999999998],[354.10000000000002],[349.39999999999998],[346.30000000000001],[355.69999999999999],[375.69999999999999],[400.60000000000002],[423.39999999999998],[446.89999999999998],[478.69999999999999],[513.89999999999998],[540.5],[553.10000000000002],[567.60000000000002],[599],[637.20000000000005],[671.60000000000002]]]

[]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"8","axis_min":"","axis_max":"","axis_title":"","precision":-1,"axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"200","axis_min":"0","axis_max":"","axis_title":"$m","precision":"","table_units":"($m)","tooltip_units":"(m)","axis_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"$","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

In original terms, mineral exploration expenditure rose 7.7% ($51.5m) to $716.3m in the September quarter 2019. Exploration on areas of existing deposits rose 7.1% ($27.7m) and expenditure on areas of new deposits rose 8.7% ($23.8m).
In original terms, the largest increase by minerals sought came from expenditure on Selected Base Metals (up 10.7%, $20.1m).

Mineral exploration, original series
	Selected base metals total ($m)	Gold ($m)	Iron ore ($m)	All other ($m)
Sep-2011	204.5	184.2	234.7	344.1
Dec-2011	186.8	200.0	311.8	333.7
Mar-2012	184.0	168.8	267.9	255.4
Jun-2012	220.2	215.0	336.2	277.5
Sep-2012	167.5	194.4	280.5	252.3
Dec-2012	161.0	162.7	278.4	221.8
Mar-2013	110.5	154.7	248.2	158.9
Jun-2013	124.7	150.0	204.2	185.8
Sep-2013	105.5	132.2	222.2	165.8
Dec-2013	75.0	116.5	184.2	171.6
Mar-2014	63.0	81.7	115.2	147.7
Jun-2014	78.4	103.9	189.0	143.3
Sep-2014	81.7	90.0	142.9	140.7
Dec-2014	80.1	101.7	145.1	132.3
Mar-2015	59.2	91.6	82.5	84.0
Jun-2015	58.0	112.4	77.2	97.0
Sep-2015	61.4	133.7	82.2	116.5
Dec-2015	58.2	138.2	74.5	110.4
Mar-2016	56.6	119.3	57.7	56.2
Jun-2016	54.8	156.9	76.8	65.5
Sep-2016	59.0	159.1	79.8	81.5
Dec-2016	63.4	182.3	73.7	82.0
Mar-2017	54.4	155.2	53.5	71.5
Jun-2017	94.1	192.6	84.3	73.9
Sep-2017	111.7	192.9	83.8	86.7
Dec-2017	120.6	208.9	68.9	96.9
Mar-2018	110.8	187.4	50.1	90.3
Jun-2018	153.1	220.9	89.0	104.8
Sep-2018	146.2	239.7	86.3	113.0
Dec-2018	157.9	244.1	75.5	115.1
Mar-2019	128.1	223.0	67.4	86.0
Jun-2019	188.6	259.8	94.8	121.7
Sep-2019	208.7	277.8	101.2	128.8

Mineral exploration, original series

["","Selected base metals total","Gold","Iron ore","All other"]

[["Sep-2011","Dec-2011","Mar-2012","Jun-2012","Sep-2012","Dec-2012","Mar-2013","Jun-2013","Sep-2013","Dec-2013","Mar-2014","Jun-2014","Sep-2014","Dec-2014","Mar-2015","Jun-2015","Sep-2015","Dec-2015","Mar-2016","Jun-2016","Sep-2016","Dec-2016","Mar-2017","Jun-2017","Sep-2017","Dec-2017","Mar-2018","Jun-2018","Sep-2018","Dec-2018","Mar-2019","Jun-2019","Sep-2019"],[[204.5],[186.80000000000001],[184],[220.19999999999999],[167.5],[161],[110.5],[124.7],[105.5],[75],[63],[78.400000000000006],[81.700000000000003],[80.099999999999994],[59.200000000000003],[58],[61.399999999999999],[58.200000000000003],[56.600000000000001],[54.799999999999997],[59],[63.399999999999999],[54.399999999999999],[94.099999999999994],[111.7],[120.59999999999999],[110.8],[153.09999999999999],[146.19999999999999],[157.90000000000001],[128.09999999999999],[188.59999999999999],[208.69999999999999]],[[184.19999999999999],[200],[168.80000000000001],[215],[194.40000000000001],[162.69999999999999],[154.69999999999999],[150],[132.19999999999999],[116.5],[81.700000000000003],[103.90000000000001],[90],[101.7],[91.599999999999994],[112.40000000000001],[133.69999999999999],[138.19999999999999],[119.3],[156.90000000000001],[159.09999999999999],[182.30000000000001],[155.19999999999999],[192.59999999999999],[192.90000000000001],[208.90000000000001],[187.40000000000001],[220.90000000000001],[239.69999999999999],[244.09999999999999],[223],[259.80000000000001],[277.80000000000001]],[[234.69999999999999],[311.80000000000001],[267.89999999999998],[336.19999999999999],[280.5],[278.39999999999998],[248.19999999999999],[204.19999999999999],[222.19999999999999],[184.19999999999999],[115.2],[189],[142.90000000000001],[145.09999999999999],[82.5],[77.200000000000003],[82.200000000000003],[74.5],[57.700000000000003],[76.799999999999997],[79.799999999999997],[73.700000000000003],[53.5],[84.299999999999997],[83.799999999999997],[68.900000000000006],[50.100000000000001],[89],[86.299999999999997],[75.5],[67.400000000000006],[94.799999999999997],[101.2]],[[344.10000000000002],[333.69999999999999],[255.40000000000001],[277.5],[252.30000000000001],[221.80000000000001],[158.90000000000001],[185.80000000000001],[165.80000000000001],[171.59999999999999],[147.69999999999999],[143.30000000000001],[140.69999999999999],[132.30000000000001],[84],[97],[116.5],[110.40000000000001],[56.200000000000003],[65.5],[81.5],[82],[71.5],[73.900000000000006],[86.700000000000003],[96.900000000000006],[90.299999999999997],[104.8],[113],[115.09999999999999],[86],[121.7],[128.80000000000001]]]

[]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"8","axis_min":"","axis_max":"","axis_title":"","precision":-1,"axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"","axis_min":"0","axis_max":"","axis_title":"$m","precision":"","table_units":"($m)","tooltip_units":"(m)","axis_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"$","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

Metres drilled

The trend estimate for metres drilled fell -0.8% in the September quarter 2019. Compared with the September quarter 2018 estimate, the current quarter was relatively unchanged.
The seasonally adjusted estimate for metres drilled rose 3.4% in the September quarter 2019.

Metres drilled, seasonally adjusted and trend
	Seasonally adjusted ('000)	Trend ('000)
Sep-2011	2,841.0	2,820.7
Dec-2011	2,866.9	2,897.8
Mar-2012	2,903.7	2,890.6
Jun-2012	2,793.1	2,739.8
Sep-2012	2,464.3	2,467.6
Dec-2012	2,113.5	2,171.5
Mar-2013	1,955.7	1,944.1
Jun-2013	1,826.9	1,819.9
Sep-2013	1,694.3	1,722.6
Dec-2013	1,707.8	1,623.0
Mar-2014	1,457.4	1,549.0
Jun-2014	1,548.8	1,528.1
Sep-2014	1,543.4	1,537.0
Dec-2014	1,559.3	1,522.1
Mar-2015	1,441.2	1,455.3
Jun-2015	1,405.8	1,433.1
Sep-2015	1,461.0	1,486.8
Dec-2015	1,628.9	1,577.0
Mar-2016	1,633.2	1,629.8
Jun-2016	1,639.6	1,644.9
Sep-2016	1,668.7	1,689.6
Dec-2016	1,792.2	1,811.2
Mar-2017	1,983.1	1,963.9
Jun-2017	2,104.1	2,072.0
Sep-2017	2,124.1	2,122.2
Dec-2017	2,130.4	2,175.8
Mar-2018	2,295.8	2,301.9
Jun-2018	2,450.4	2,431.5
Sep-2018	2,594.7	2,537.5
Dec-2018	2,456.5	2,582.4
Mar-2019	2,732.7	2,578.5
Jun-2019	2,460.2	2,557.4
Sep-2019	2,544.8	2,536.9

Metres drilled, seasonally adjusted and trend

["","Seasonally adjusted","Trend"]

[["Sep-2011","Dec-2011","Mar-2012","Jun-2012","Sep-2012","Dec-2012","Mar-2013","Jun-2013","Sep-2013","Dec-2013","Mar-2014","Jun-2014","Sep-2014","Dec-2014","Mar-2015","Jun-2015","Sep-2015","Dec-2015","Mar-2016","Jun-2016","Sep-2016","Dec-2016","Mar-2017","Jun-2017","Sep-2017","Dec-2017","Mar-2018","Jun-2018","Sep-2018","Dec-2018","Mar-2019","Jun-2019","Sep-2019"],[[2841],[2866.9000000000001],[2903.6999999999998],[2793.0999999999999],[2464.3000000000002],[2113.5],[1955.7],[1826.9000000000001],[1694.3],[1707.8],[1457.4000000000001],[1548.8],[1543.4000000000001],[1559.3],[1441.2],[1405.8],[1461],[1628.9000000000001],[1633.2],[1639.5999999999999],[1668.7],[1792.2],[1983.0999999999999],[2104.0999999999999],[2124.0999999999999],[2130.4000000000001],[2295.8000000000002],[2450.4000000000001],[2594.6999999999998],[2456.5],[2732.6999999999998],[2460.1999999999998],[2544.8000000000002]],[[2820.6999999999998],[2897.8000000000002],[2890.5999999999999],[2739.8000000000002],[2467.5999999999999],[2171.5],[1944.0999999999999],[1819.9000000000001],[1722.5999999999999],[1623],[1549],[1528.0999999999999],[1537],[1522.0999999999999],[1455.3],[1433.0999999999999],[1486.8],[1577],[1629.8],[1644.9000000000001],[1689.5999999999999],[1811.2],[1963.9000000000001],[2072],[2122.1999999999998],[2175.8000000000002],[2301.9000000000001],[2431.5],[2537.5],[2582.4000000000001],[2578.5],[2557.4000000000001],[2536.9000000000001]]]

[]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"8","axis_min":"","axis_max":"","axis_title":"","precision":-1,"axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"1000","axis_min":"0","axis_max":"","axis_title":"'000","precision":"","table_units":"('000)","tooltip_units":"('000)","axis_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

In original terms, metres drilled rose 3.2%. Drilling in areas of new deposits rose 20.8% and drilling in areas of existing deposits fell -6.1%.

Metres drilled, original series
	New deposits ('000)	Existing deposits ('000)
Sep-2011	1,037.7	2,120.3
Dec-2011	1,008.4	1,947.2
Mar-2012	582.8	1,688.8
Jun-2012	1,071.2	1,952.4
Sep-2012	943.1	1,771.1
Dec-2012	677.4	1,501.6
Mar-2013	416.7	1,117.6
Jun-2013	692.5	1,300.0
Sep-2013	592.7	1,253.6
Dec-2013	396.1	1,368.1
Mar-2014	300.0	848.1
Jun-2014	308.8	1,386.0
Sep-2014	397.2	1,271.8
Dec-2014	491.9	1,121.2
Mar-2015	242.1	898.6
Jun-2015	438.1	1,103.3
Sep-2015	341.1	1,232.7
Dec-2015	442.4	1,240.2
Mar-2016	306.6	994.8
Jun-2016	418.2	1,376.4
Sep-2016	539.1	1,257.9
Dec-2016	658.7	1,183.9
Mar-2017	484.0	1,117.5
Jun-2017	682.6	1,616.2
Sep-2017	841.6	1,452.4
Dec-2017	766.1	1,409.8
Mar-2018	631.7	1,221.9
Jun-2018	971.8	1,701.0
Sep-2018	1,041.7	1,778.6
Dec-2018	949.3	1,545.2
Mar-2019	755.4	1,460.4
Jun-2019	923.8	1,755.9
Sep-2019	1,115.8	1,649.5

Metres drilled, original series

["","New deposits","Existing deposits"]

[["Sep-2011","Dec-2011","Mar-2012","Jun-2012","Sep-2012","Dec-2012","Mar-2013","Jun-2013","Sep-2013","Dec-2013","Mar-2014","Jun-2014","Sep-2014","Dec-2014","Mar-2015","Jun-2015","Sep-2015","Dec-2015","Mar-2016","Jun-2016","Sep-2016","Dec-2016","Mar-2017","Jun-2017","Sep-2017","Dec-2017","Mar-2018","Jun-2018","Sep-2018","Dec-2018","Mar-2019","Jun-2019","Sep-2019"],[[1037.7],[1008.4],[582.79999999999995],[1071.2],[943.10000000000002],[677.39999999999998],[416.69999999999999],[692.5],[592.70000000000005],[396.10000000000002],[300],[308.80000000000001],[397.19999999999999],[491.89999999999998],[242.09999999999999],[438.10000000000002],[341.10000000000002],[442.39999999999998],[306.60000000000002],[418.19999999999999],[539.10000000000002],[658.70000000000005],[484],[682.60000000000002],[841.60000000000002],[766.10000000000002],[631.70000000000005],[971.79999999999995],[1041.7],[949.29999999999995],[755.39999999999998],[923.79999999999995],[1115.8]],[[2120.3000000000002],[1947.2],[1688.8],[1952.4000000000001],[1771.0999999999999],[1501.5999999999999],[1117.5999999999999],[1300],[1253.5999999999999],[1368.0999999999999],[848.10000000000002],[1386],[1271.8],[1121.2],[898.60000000000002],[1103.3],[1232.7],[1240.2],[994.79999999999995],[1376.4000000000001],[1257.9000000000001],[1183.9000000000001],[1117.5],[1616.2],[1452.4000000000001],[1409.8],[1221.9000000000001],[1701],[1778.5999999999999],[1545.2],[1460.4000000000001],[1755.9000000000001],[1649.5]]]

[]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"8","axis_min":"","axis_max":"","axis_title":"","precision":-1,"axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"","axis_min":"0","axis_max":"","axis_title":"'000","precision":"","table_units":"('000)","tooltip_units":"('000)","axis_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

Petroleum exploration

Total expenditure

The trend estimate for total petroleum exploration expenditure rose 8.0% ($26.1m) to $352.8m in the September quarter 2019. Exploration expenditure on production leases fell 17.8% (-$9.4m) and exploration expenditure on all other areas rose 12.5% ($34.3m).
The seasonally adjusted estimate for total petroleum exploration expenditure rose 1.8% ($6.4m) to $361.0m in the September quarter 2019. Exploration expenditure on production leases fell 11.0% (-$6.5m) and exploration expenditure on all other areas rose 4.4% ($12.9m).
The largest contributor to the rise in the trend estimate was Western Australia (up 12.0%, $22.9m) and the largest contributor to the rise in the seasonally adjusted estimate was Queensland (up 35.1%, $11.5m).

Petroleum exploration, seasonally adjusted and trend
	Seasonally adjusted ($m)	Trend ($m)
Sep-11	811.6	808.4
Dec-11	857.3	763.3
Mar-12	625.1	760.8
Jun-12	898.4	901.2
Sep-12	1,115.7	1,096.1
Dec-12	1,333.2	1,203.8
Mar-13	1,051.8	1,182.4
Jun-13	1,289.9	1,128.7
Sep-13	1,136.1	1,102.9
Dec-13	1,053.0	1,104.4
Mar-14	1,107.3	1,071.8
Jun-14	1,540.4	1,057.3
Sep-14	983.7	1,065.9
Dec-14	1,108.5	1,042.7
Mar-15	993.1	943.0
Jun-15	701.0	759.9
Sep-15	581.6	585.3
Dec-15	464.3	472.9
Mar-16	449.2	398.9
Jun-16	280.9	341.3
Sep-16	352.6	325.0
Dec-16	323.0	340.2
Mar-17	376.8	352.8
Jun-17	325.5	327.8
Sep-17	281.4	278.3
Dec-17	235.7	236.0
Mar-18	202.3	236.4
Jun-18	300.7	275.9
Sep-18	305.5	306.0
Dec-18	339.7	308.3
Mar-19	248.8	307.4
Jun-19	354.6	326.7
Sep-19	361.0	352.8

Petroleum exploration, seasonally adjusted and trend

["","Seasonally adjusted","Trend"]

[["Sep-11","Dec-11","Mar-12","Jun-12","Sep-12","Dec-12","Mar-13","Jun-13","Sep-13","Dec-13","Mar-14","Jun-14","Sep-14","Dec-14","Mar-15","Jun-15","Sep-15","Dec-15","Mar-16","Jun-16","Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19"],[[811.60000000000002],[857.29999999999995],[625.10000000000002],[898.39999999999998],[1115.7],[1333.2],[1051.8],[1289.9000000000001],[1136.0999999999999],[1053],[1107.3],[1540.4000000000001],[983.70000000000005],[1108.5],[993.10000000000002],[701],[581.60000000000002],[464.30000000000001],[449.19999999999999],[280.89999999999998],[352.60000000000002],[323],[376.80000000000001],[325.5],[281.39999999999998],[235.69999999999999],[202.30000000000001],[300.69999999999999],[305.5],[339.69999999999999],[248.80000000000001],[354.60000000000002],[361]],[[808.39999999999998],[763.29999999999995],[760.79999999999995],[901.20000000000005],[1096.0999999999999],[1203.8],[1182.4000000000001],[1128.7],[1102.9000000000001],[1104.4000000000001],[1071.8],[1057.3],[1065.9000000000001],[1042.7],[943],[759.89999999999998],[585.29999999999995],[472.89999999999998],[398.89999999999998],[341.30000000000001],[325],[340.19999999999999],[352.80000000000001],[327.80000000000001],[278.30000000000001],[236],[236.40000000000001],[275.89999999999998],[306],[308.30000000000001],[307.39999999999998],[326.69999999999999],[352.80000000000001]]]

[]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"8","axis_min":"","axis_max":"","axis_title":"","precision":-1,"axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"200","axis_min":"0","axis_max":"","axis_title":"$m","precision":"","table_units":"($m)","tooltip_units":"(m)","axis_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"$","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

Onshore

The trend estimate for onshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 10.8% ($13.1m) to $133.9m in the September quarter 2019. Expenditure on drilling rose 16.7% ($13.2m) and other onshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 0.5% (-$0.2m).
The seasonally adjusted estimate for onshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 16.1% ($19.7m) to $141.9m in the September quarter 2019. Expenditure on drilling rose 46.3% ($33.8m) and other onshore petroleum exploration fell 28.6% (-$14.1m).

Petroleum exploration - onshore, seasonally adjusted and trend
	Seasonally adjusted ($m)	Trend ($m)
Sep-11	244.0	225.6
Dec-11	242.7	225.5
Mar-12	185.8	219.9
Jun-12	242.3	233.4
Sep-12	270.3	268.2
Dec-12	307.0	304.0
Mar-13	315.2	323.1
Jun-13	471.9	320.4
Sep-13	302.3	302.9
Dec-13	262.7	284.8
Mar-14	299.2	273.8
Jun-14	451.1	290.2
Sep-14	298.7	318.9
Dec-14	379.1	334.3
Mar-15	300.1	317.3
Jun-15	261.9	263.2
Sep-15	201.3	197.3
Dec-15	138.7	137.3
Mar-16	85.5	92.9
Jun-16	64.9	72.9
Sep-16	97.4	79.2
Dec-16	74.2	100.9
Mar-17	140.9	117.7
Jun-17	119.0	116.4
Sep-17	93.6	98.9
Dec-17	76.8	81.1
Mar-18	79.4	82.1
Jun-18	99.3	94.4
Sep-18	101.7	103.9
Dec-18	116.3	106.2
Mar-19	96.4	110.3
Jun-19	122.2	120.8
Sep-19	141.9	133.9

Petroleum exploration - onshore, seasonally adjusted and trend

["","Seasonally adjusted","Trend"]

[["Sep-11","Dec-11","Mar-12","Jun-12","Sep-12","Dec-12","Mar-13","Jun-13","Sep-13","Dec-13","Mar-14","Jun-14","Sep-14","Dec-14","Mar-15","Jun-15","Sep-15","Dec-15","Mar-16","Jun-16","Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19"],[[244],[242.69999999999999],[185.80000000000001],[242.30000000000001],[270.30000000000001],[307],[315.19999999999999],[471.89999999999998],[302.30000000000001],[262.69999999999999],[299.19999999999999],[451.10000000000002],[298.69999999999999],[379.10000000000002],[300.10000000000002],[261.89999999999998],[201.30000000000001],[138.69999999999999],[85.5],[64.900000000000006],[97.400000000000006],[74.200000000000003],[140.90000000000001],[119],[93.599999999999994],[76.799999999999997],[79.400000000000006],[99.299999999999997],[101.7],[116.3],[96.400000000000006],[122.2],[141.90000000000001]],[[225.59999999999999],[225.5],[219.90000000000001],[233.40000000000001],[268.19999999999999],[304],[323.10000000000002],[320.39999999999998],[302.89999999999998],[284.80000000000001],[273.80000000000001],[290.19999999999999],[318.89999999999998],[334.30000000000001],[317.30000000000001],[263.19999999999999],[197.30000000000001],[137.30000000000001],[92.900000000000006],[72.900000000000006],[79.200000000000003],[100.90000000000001],[117.7],[116.40000000000001],[98.900000000000006],[81.099999999999994],[82.099999999999994],[94.400000000000006],[103.90000000000001],[106.2],[110.3],[120.8],[133.90000000000001]]]

[]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"8","axis_min":"","axis_max":"","axis_title":"","precision":-1,"axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"100","axis_min":"0","axis_max":"","axis_title":"$m","precision":"","table_units":"($m)","tooltip_units":"(m)","axis_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"$","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

Offshore

The trend estimate for offshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 6.1% to $218.5m in the September quarter 2019. Expenditure on drilling rose 11.2% ($11.2m) and other offshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 1.3% ($1.4m).
The seasonally adjusted estimate for offshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 5.7% (-$13.3m) to $219.1m in the September quarter 2019. Expenditure on drilling rose 26.7% ($26.4m) and other offshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 29.7% (-$39.7m).

Petroleum exploration - offshore, seasonally adjusted and trend
	Seasonally adjusted ($m)	Trend ($m)
Sep-11	567.7	582.8
Dec-11	614.5	537.9
Mar-12	439.3	540.8
Jun-12	656.1	667.8
Sep-12	845.5	827.9
Dec-12	1,026.2	899.9
Mar-13	736.6	859.3
Jun-13	818.0	808.3
Sep-13	833.7	800.0
Dec-13	790.3	819.7
Mar-14	808.1	798.0
Jun-14	1,089.3	767.1
Sep-14	685.0	747.0
Dec-14	729.4	708.5
Mar-15	692.9	625.7
Jun-15	439.0	496.7
Sep-15	380.3	388.0
Dec-15	325.5	335.6
Mar-16	363.7	306.0
Jun-16	216.0	268.4
Sep-16	255.2	245.8
Dec-16	248.9	239.4
Mar-17	235.9	235.1
Jun-17	206.5	211.4
Sep-17	187.9	179.4
Dec-17	158.8	154.9
Mar-18	122.9	154.3
Jun-18	201.4	181.5
Sep-18	203.8	202.0
Dec-18	223.4	202.2
Mar-19	152.4	197.1
Jun-19	232.4	206.0
Sep-19	219.1	218.5

Petroleum exploration - offshore, seasonally adjusted and trend

["","Seasonally adjusted","Trend"]

[["Sep-11","Dec-11","Mar-12","Jun-12","Sep-12","Dec-12","Mar-13","Jun-13","Sep-13","Dec-13","Mar-14","Jun-14","Sep-14","Dec-14","Mar-15","Jun-15","Sep-15","Dec-15","Mar-16","Jun-16","Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19"],[[567.70000000000005],[614.5],[439.30000000000001],[656.10000000000002],[845.5],[1026.2],[736.60000000000002],[818],[833.70000000000005],[790.29999999999995],[808.10000000000002],[1089.3],[685],[729.39999999999998],[692.89999999999998],[439],[380.30000000000001],[325.5],[363.69999999999999],[216],[255.19999999999999],[248.90000000000001],[235.90000000000001],[206.5],[187.90000000000001],[158.80000000000001],[122.90000000000001],[201.40000000000001],[203.80000000000001],[223.40000000000001],[152.40000000000001],[232.40000000000001],[219.09999999999999]],[[582.79999999999995],[537.89999999999998],[540.79999999999995],[667.79999999999995],[827.89999999999998],[899.89999999999998],[859.29999999999995],[808.29999999999995],[800],[819.70000000000005],[798],[767.10000000000002],[747],[708.5],[625.70000000000005],[496.69999999999999],[388],[335.60000000000002],[306],[268.39999999999998],[245.80000000000001],[239.40000000000001],[235.09999999999999],[211.40000000000001],[179.40000000000001],[154.90000000000001],[154.30000000000001],[181.5],[202],[202.19999999999999],[197.09999999999999],[206],[218.5]]]

[]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"8","axis_min":"","axis_max":"","axis_title":"","precision":-1,"axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"200","axis_min":"0","axis_max":"","axis_title":"$m","precision":"","table_units":"($m)","tooltip_units":"(m)","axis_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"$","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

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.

Data downloads

Table 1. Private exploration, actual and expected expenditure

Data files

Download xls [56 KB]

Table 2. Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum) - expenditure and metres drilled

Data files

Download xls [64 KB]

Table 3b. Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum) - expenditure by type of deposit

Data files

Download xls [95.5 KB]

Table 4. Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum) - expenditure by state and territory

Data files

Download xls [98 KB]

Table 5. Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum) - expenditure by mineral sought

Data files

Download xls [1.74 MB]

Table 6a. Petroleum exploration, expenditure by onshore and offshore

Data files

Download xls [135.5 KB]

Table 6b. Petroleum exploration, expenditure by type of lease

Data files

Download xls [150.5 KB]

Table 7. Petroleum exploration, expenditure by state and territory

Data files

Download xls [918 KB]

Methodology

Mineral and Petroleum Exploration, Australia methodology, September 2019

Do you need more detailed statistics?

Request data

We can provide customised data to meet your requirements

Request a quote

Microdata and TableBuilder

We can provide access to detailed, customisable data on selected topics

View available Microdata and TableBuilder

APA

Citation

Mineral and Petroleum Exploration, Australia

APA

Citation

Mineral exploration

Total expenditure

Metres drilled

Petroleum exploration

Total expenditure

Onshore

Offshore

Inquiries

Data downloads

Table 1. Private exploration, actual and expected expenditure

Table 2. Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum) - expenditure and metres drilled

Table 3b. Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum) - expenditure by type of deposit

Table 4. Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum) - expenditure by state and territory

Table 5. Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum) - expenditure by mineral sought

Table 6a. Petroleum exploration, expenditure by onshore and offshore

Table 6b. Petroleum exploration, expenditure by type of lease

Table 7. Petroleum exploration, expenditure by state and territory

Methodology

Do you need more detailed statistics?

Request data

Microdata and TableBuilder

Provide feedback