Co-funded Energy Analysis Program (EAP)

Purpose and Program Overview

The Co-funded Energy Analysis Program (EAP) is a Western Australian Government initiative designed to encourage the exploration of petroleum and geothermal resources across the state. As part of the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS), the program aims to reduce technical and financial risk in early-stage energy exploration by supporting both re-analysis of existing datasets and acquisition of new greenfields geophysical data.

The program is managed by the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) within the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE). It typically operates one funding Series per year with a total pool of approximately $1 million. By requiring project data and results to become open files, the program strengthens the broader exploration knowledge base, supports industry decision-making, and helps attract continued investment into Western Australia’s petroleum and geothermal sectors.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: Up to 50% of eligible project costs; capped at $50,000 per project for Analysis and Reprocessing, and $250,000 per project for Geophysics Acquisition.
• Total program funding: Approximately $1 million per Series.​
• Application timing: Applications open once per year; for Series 9, the funded activity period is 1 June 2026 – 31 May 2027.
• Application window: Applications generally open on the first Monday of February and remain open for 26 days (for example, Series 8 opened on 3 February and closed 28 February).
• Eligible industries/business types: Petroleum and geothermal exploration companies and title holders undertaking energy-only exploration activities in Western Australia.
• Required co-contributions: Yes – applicants must co-fund at least 50% of direct project costs.
• Location applicability: Projects must be located in Western Australia and within eligible petroleum or geothermal titles or areas as specified in the Program Guidelines.

Priority Sectors

• Priority sectors: Petroleum exploration and geothermal energy exploration in Western Australia.
• Other sectors: The program is limited to energy-only exploration (petroleum or geothermal) and is not open to broader non-energy sectors.

Funding Scope

• Total program funding cap: Approximately $1 million per Series.​
• Co-funding rate: Up to 50% of eligible direct project costs.
• Analysis and Reprocessing Category:
  • Maximum funding: Up to $50,000 per project.​
  • Scope: Re-analysis of existing data and physical samples (e.g. core, sidewall core, cuttings, oil, condensate, water and gas samples) through desktop studies, data reprocessing, or reinterpretation.
• Geophysics Acquisition Category:
  • Maximum funding: Up to $250,000 per project.​
  • Scope: Acquisition of new greenfields geophysical data to improve understanding of petroleum and geothermal systems in under-explored or unexplored areas.
• Project timeline/funding duration:
  • Projects must be capable of being completed, with all required data and samples submitted, within a 12‑month period that aligns with the relevant Series funding term (for Series 9, 1 June 2026 – 31 May 2027).

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must be a legal entity capable of entering a binding funding agreement with the Western Australian Government.
• Applicant must have an active Australian Company Number (ACN).​
• Applicant must be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST).​
• Applicant must hold an appropriate petroleum title, geothermal title or reservation title (including a petroleum or geothermal special prospecting authority), as specified in the Program Guidelines.
• Projects must be located in Western Australia and relate to energy-only exploration (petroleum or geothermal) activities.
• Projects must not be retrospective; activities cannot have commenced or been committed before funding approval.
• Projects must be capable of completion within 12 months, with all data and samples submitted to GSWA within the specified timeframe.
• Applicants must comply with all relevant legislative, safety, environmental and regulatory obligations applicable to petroleum and geothermal exploration in Western Australia.​
• A maximum of two applications per applicant/company per Series is generally allowed, and applications must be for different resources.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Analysis and interpretation of existing physical resources such as core, sidewall core, cuttings, and fluid samples (oil, condensate, water, gas).
• Reprocessing and re-interpretation of existing geophysical, geological and petrophysical datasets (e.g. seismic data, well logs, other subsurface datasets).
• Desktop and data studies that address exploration knowledge gaps and improve understanding of petroleum and geothermal systems.
• Acquisition of new greenfields geophysical data (for example, seismic, gravity, magnetic or other survey data) in under-explored or unexplored regions.
• Reasonable direct project costs required to plan, acquire, process, analyse and report on the approved geophysical or analytical work, as detailed in the Program Specifications and Capped Values document.

(Prospective applicants should refer to the official Guidelines for a full list of eligible and ineligible costs before applying.)

Assessment Process

• Assessment type: The Co-funded Energy Analysis Program is competitive; funding is not automatic and is awarded based on merit against published criteria and available budget.
• Key evaluation considerations typically include:
  • Project merit and technical soundness, including the potential to address exploration knowledge gaps and advance understanding of petroleum or geothermal systems.
  • Strategic alignment with the objectives of the Exploration Incentive Scheme and Western Australia’s energy exploration priorities.
  • Value for money, including the level of co-contribution, project scale, and likely benefits relative to the funding requested.
  • Applicant capability and capacity to complete the proposed work within the timeframe and return high-quality open-file data.

Applicants must submit their applications via the specified online portal (currently SmartyGrants) by the published closing date, and late applications are not accepted.

Open Data and Reporting Requirements

• All data generated through funded projects, including processed datasets, interpretations and relevant reports, must be submitted to GSWA and become an open file after any applicable confidentiality period stated in the Guidelines.
• Applicants must meet specified reporting milestones and provide final reports, data packages and sample returns in approved formats within the 12‑month project period.

Recent Program Updates

• The Co-funded Energy Analysis Program is structured to run one Series per year with a funding cap of $1 million per Series, as set out in the specifications and capped values documentation.​
• Recent Series have confirmed two main funding categories (Analysis and Reprocessing; Geophysics Acquisition) and maintained the co-funding cap of 50% with category-specific maximums of $50,000 and $250,000, respectively.
• For Series 9, the indicative funding term is 1 June 2026 – 31 May 2027, with applications expected to open annually in early February; applicants should check the DMPE/GSWA website for confirmation of actual dates and any updated eligibility conditions.

Application Tips

• Review the official Co-funded Energy Analysis Program Guidelines, Specifications and Capped Values, and any Series-specific guidance carefully before starting an application to ensure full understanding of scope, eligibility and obligations.
• Confirm that the proposed project is strictly energy-only (petroleum or geothermal), located in Western Australia, and falls clearly within either the Analysis and Reprocessing or Geophysics Acquisition category.
• Prepare key technical documentation in advance, including project descriptions, geological and geophysical rationale, work program design, budget breakdowns and timelines that demonstrate completion within 12 months.
• Clearly articulate how the project will address knowledge gaps, improve regional understanding and generate high-value data for the wider exploration community, supporting the program’s open-file objectives.
• Demonstrate organisational capability by outlining relevant experience, qualified personnel, access to required equipment or contractors, and systems to manage data, reporting and compliance.
• Ensure the co-contribution is well-documented, realistic and aligned with the 50% funding cap, and verify that no ineligible or retrospective costs are included.

How can you get help with your application or assess your likelihood of success?

Consider consulting a grant specialist, such as Pattens Group, for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant, and competitive application for the Co-funded Energy Analysis Program. Pattens Group offers specialist support to help structure project scopes, budgets and supporting documentation in line with the program’s technical, financial and reporting requirements. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the Co-funded Energy Analysis Program page on the Western Australian Government DMPE/GSWA website, the business.gov.au listing, and other associated Australian Government and Western Australian Government websites.