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The area will be put up for a competitive bid in the April 2007 acreage release, Resources Minister John Bowler said.
He said Nerdlihic was stripped of its rights to the permit, 600km southwest of Broome, after the company failed to conduct sufficient development or exploration activities since being awarded the acreage two years ago.
“The previous permit holder has not been able to demonstrate the financial capacity to fulfil its exploration commitments,” he said.
“The state government has shown considerable tolerance in the past towards promptness in fulfilling work programs but with increased interest in oil and gas exploration, this will change.
“Companies that do not perform cannot expect to retain their exploration acreage.”
Bowler added that no further applications for “Special Prospecting Authorities with Acreage Options” would be received for the Canning Basin.
“A potential explorer’s only means of obtaining titles in the Canning Basin is through the competitive bid system when acreage is released or by farming-in to existing titles,” he said.
The Canning Basin covers about 530,000 square kilometres in central northern WA.
Other explorers in the region include Arc Energy, Rey Resources, Oil Basins and Empire Oil & Gas.
