Energy projects make up 55% ($38.8 billion) of ABARE's Minerals and Energy Major Development Projects April 2008 listing, with oil and gas projects accounting for about two-thirds ($26 million) of committed capital on petroleum, coal and uranium projects.

Robinson said the listing also showed Woodside Energy's $12 billion Pluto liquefied natural gas project was the single largest mining and energy project out of a record $70.5 billion in advanced energy and mineral projects compiled by the government's resource economics agency.

"In addition to the projects with capital committed, a number of very large LNG projects including the Browse, Gorgon, Icthys and Sunrise projects off the coast of Western Australia and coal seam methane-based LNG projects in Queensland feature on ABARE's lists of less developed projects," she said.

"It's in Australia's best interests to see these projects transferred from drawing boards to construction.

"The ABARE report highlights the fact that conditions are becoming more difficult for energy projects as input costs continue to rise, building on a warning from the international analyst Wood Mackenzie at the recent APPEA Conference that Australia is underweight in LNG relative to its potential."

According to analysts Cambridge Energy Research Associates, upstream oil and gas project costs have doubled since 2005 with Australia one of the worst-affected regions, Robinson added.

"We can't take the resources boom for granted and we must keep a weather eye on rising costs from higher fuel prices, the skills shortage, escalating equipment costs and rising iron ore prices driving steel price hikes.

"Industry needs to work in strong partnerships with governments through our industry strategy to keep projects moving," she said.