The Australian government has awarded nine petroleum permits off Western Australia worth A$380 million (US$381 million). Win- ners are Woodside, Royal Dutch Shell, Mitsui Exploration and Production, Cottesloe Oil and Gas, Strike Energy, WHL Energy and Santos. Canberra said the areas, which include frontier acreage, could potentially bolster Australia's long-term energy security. "LNG is forecast to be Australia's fastest-growing energy export. On the other hand, Aus- tralia has a $16 billion trade deficit in crude, refined products and LPG which is also rising," Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said.
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