Fuel crisis deepens as Queensland fast-tracks ‘Singapore-sized’ Taroom Trough oil reserve; over 100 service stations run dry

Amid worsening fuel shortages nationwide, the Queensland government is moving to fast-track exploration of a massive oil reserve in the Taroom Trough, a Singapore-sized site about 300km west of Brisbane, as authorities seek longer-term solutions to stabilise supply.

According to the 9 News website, at the Taroom Trough, a Singapore-sized oil reserve about 300km west of Brisbane, multiple companies have been cleared by the Queensland government to begin exploration work.

The assessment is expected to determine by the end of 2026 whether drilling into the reserve and extracting supplies is commercially viable.


Oil extraction from the site could begin as early as 2028 if it is deemed viable, though it is not expected to provide immediate relief to the ongoing shortage.

According to the 9 News website, more than 100 service stations across Queensland were out of fuel yesterday, with shortages extending further nationwide. Just days ahead of the federal government’s planned announcement of a national emergency fuel strategy, the developments signal a push to secure supplies for industries most in need.

Under the proposed plan, fuel supplies would be safeguarded and prioritised for key sectors such as farming, trucking and emergency services, along with regional communities.

What is happening?

The fuel shortage is being driven by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has disrupted global oil flows, particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz that carries around 20 percent of the world’s supply.

Attacks on energy infrastructure, shipping disruptions and reduced production have tightened global availability, pushing prices higher and constraining imports, especially across Asia, with cascading impacts on transport, agriculture and industry.