Shell has announced a significant expansion of its onshore gas operations in Queensland.

Shell’s new QGC Project Goog-a-binge will see around 250 new wells dug at existing onshore gas operations near the towns of Miles, Tara, Chinchilla and Wandoan.

Goog-a-binge is expected to provide 930 petajoules of gas over the next 30 years, and support about 350 jobs for the next two years.

QGC has already been employing nearly 1000 people since operations began in 2006.

The expansion should start in January next year, pending approvals.

Queensland Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Anthony Lynham welcomed the expansion.

“Ongoing investment in Queensland’s $70 billion gas industry shows the policy settings are right,” he said.

“We expect the gas industry to continue to deliver for the south-west, and the Palaszczuk Government will continue to drive increased gas supply with innovative policy, to meet the needs of households and Australian manufacturers.”