13 contiguous geothermal licences covering an extensive portion of the Eromanga Basin from Haddon Downs in the east to Birdsville in the west were granted to Gradient Energy Ltd on 26th May 2008. This area of the Eromanga Basin is thought to contain up to 3000m of cover rocks over a basement which might include heat producing granites. Hot Sedimentary Aquifers (HSA) and Hot Fractured Rock (HFR) were the targets for exploration in this area where Geothermal Gradients averaging 51 degrees/km have been recorded in adjacent wells and the existing small geothermal plant at Birdsville utilizing hot geothermal waters gave some optimism for this area. Numerous studies were completed by a variety of consultants during the 3 years of tenure. These include geophysical modelling of gravity and magnetic data, construction of 3D geological models plus various thermal modelling, thermal conductivity and heat flow modelling. The consensus was that there existed a low probability of encountering temperatures in excess of 125C within the Eromanga Basin sedimentary sequences within the licence area. All licences within this project area were subsequently surrendered on 18th July 2011 at the end of the 3rd licence year.