RE: Update just out from tamboran14 Apr 2026 19:06
805 -- this ridiculous proposed windfall tax could be a major headache for Tamboran and many others. There have been comments in the Aussie press that up to $70 billion in proposed expansions by the existing LNG producers in Australia (Santos, Woodside, Chevron and Shell) could be cancelled or severely curtained if the idiots in Canberra go ahead with this proposed tax.
From the Guardian newspaper today:
"Bosses of Santos, Woodside, Chevron and Shell asked to give evidence to Greens-led gas tax inquiry
Labor is under pressure to impose a new 25% export tax amid soaring prices from the global fuel shock"
The Japanese Ambassador to Australia (on March 25th) gave a very stern speech that the Aussie gov't could risk major shifts in Japanese and Aussie relations if this tax goes ahead, and the Japanese Prime Minister is now expected in Canberra before any vote on this tax takes place in May.
I am not sure how this would be affecting the current Farm Down negotiations, but it certainly can't be helping. Even though the war with Iran has altered the future sources for LNG away from the Gulf -- it would certainly help deflect this windfall tax if the Hormuz gets open and both oil and LNG begin to move through the Hormuz -- before any vote on this tax takes place. Australia only has enough gas and diesel for another month - and this is driving some of the windfall tax popularity, but Albanese said yesterday that 73 tankers (from America and Singapore I believe) are on route to Australia -- so that might help deflect this stupid tax as well??
Longknife: -- I don't think this massive fund raise by TBN (which is already close to 90% complete) was totally about this proposed windfall tax. I am fairly sure it was more about hitting the markets while the stock was HOT ($50 US) and getting the underwriters to guarantee the placements in exchange for a huge price drop of $15 per share?? The consensus seems to be more about removing any risk of funds running out later this year and now moving that funding through into 2028. This will give TBN more than enough funds to cover the south Pilot zone drilling of the SSH7 and SSH8, along with the Santos 25% obligations, and further exploration in the Eastern checkerboard zone that could eventually lead to a second TBN Farm Down.