Best Oil & Gas Upstream Companies in Australia
The 151 best Oil & Gas Upstream companies in Australia in 2026, ranked by funding and momentum. Funding, investors, founders, valuation, tech stack and live signals. Top: Buru Energy.
When you're mapping the best Oil & Gas Upstream companies in Australia by disclosed equity funding and recent momentum, 151 tracked companies and $1.1B in total disclosed capital is where the story starts. 88 Energy leads the pack at $131M raised, with Tamboran Resources close behind at $97M. Invictus Energy, Triangle Energy, HAMR Energy and Mosman Oil and Gas round out the names worth watching, backed by investors including Macquarie, Argo Investments and Next Investors. Coverage is flat, but the funding is concentrated, and that concentration tells you exactly where conviction sits.
What's moving the sector right now isn't new acreage or production targets. It's emissions. Upstream emissions, fugitive leaks, venting, combustion outputs — these are the themes dominating operator agendas across Australia's basins this quarter. Globally, BP, TotalEnergies and Chevron are cutting methane hard as decarbonisation pressure intensifies, and the regulatory signal is sharpening too, with the EPA's updated flaring rule drawing fresh scrutiny to routine combustion practices. I'd watch how Australia's upstream players respond to that global baseline. The companies that get ahead of emissions accountability, not just production economics, are the ones building durable positions.
Ranked: Best Oil & Gas Upstream companies in Australia
| # | Company | Disclosed funding | Last round | Employees | Founded | Founder | Tech stack | Market signals (1y) | Recent signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buru Energy Developer of Rafael gas project and related energy assets | $156M | 50 mo ago | 59 | 2008 | Eric Streitberg CEO | SentryTypeScriptGraphQL+15 | 3 signals Funding · Regulatory | — |
| 2 | 88 Energy Provider of oil & gas exploration and production services | $131M | 46 mo ago | 7 | 2000 | — | WordPressMySQLPHP+22 | — | — |
| 3 | Cooper Energy Producer and marketer of domestic natural gas | $126M | 110 mo ago | 131 | 2002 | Jane Norman Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer | — | — | — |
| 4 | Armour Energy Provider of oil and gas exploration and production services | $100M | 130 mo ago | 34 | 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | Tamboran Resources Oil & gas production company | $97M | 13 mo ago | 20 | 2009 | Joel Riddle Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer | WordPressMySQLPHP+16 | 32 signals ▲68% Capital raise · Announcements · Funding | 1 expansion |
| 6 | WestSide Provider of private and group air charter services | $71M | 91 mo ago | 10 | 2005 | — | WordPressApple iCloud MailMicrosoft 365+16 | — | — |
| 7 | Sino Gas & Energy Developer of unconventional natural gas resources | $63M | 150 mo ago | 46 | 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 8 | Comet Ridge Developer of natural gas resources for the east coast market | $45M | 78 mo ago | 2 | 2003 | — | WordPressMySQLPHP+16 | 3 signals ▲200% Acquisition | — |
| 9 | Byron Energy Oil and gas exploration and production company | $42M | 72 mo ago | — | 2005 | Maynard Smith CEO | — | — | — |
| 10 | Strike Energy Provider of oil & gas exploration and production services | $38M | 45 mo ago | 24 | 1997 | Stuart Nicholls Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director | SentryTypeScriptGraphQL+17 | 10 signals ▲150% Announcements · Acquisition | 1 award |
| 11 | Calima Energy Oil and gas producer with a focus on returns-driven growth | $33M | 83 mo ago | 20 | 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 12 | International Petroleum Oil & gas company engages in exploration and production | $25M | 173 mo ago | — | 2006 | Anya Belogortseva CEO | — | — | — |
| 13 | Transform Exploration Manufacturer of textile dyes, pigments, auxiliaries, and water treatment chemicals | $23M | 162 mo ago | 2 | 2012 | Agu Kantsler CEO & MD | — | — | — |
| 14 | Invictus Energy Developer of onshore African gas resources | $22M | 29 mo ago | — | 2012 | Scott Macmillan CEO & MD | WordPressMySQLPHP+24 | 4 signals ▲300% Regulatory · Contracts | 1 partnership |
| 15 | Triangle Energy Operator of onshore and offshore oil and gas assets, and carbon dioxide storage facilities | $17M | 22 mo ago | 9 | 2006 | — | WordPressMySQLPHP+23 | 4 signals ▲300% Leadership · Contracts | — |
| 16 | Tlou Energy Developer of coal bed methane gas-fired power generation | $14M | 86 mo ago | — | 2009 | Anthony Gilby Founder & CEO | WordPressMySQLPHP+18 | — | — |
| 17 | Red Sky Energy Australian oil and gas exploration and development company | $10M | 67 mo ago | — | 2001 | Andrew Knox CEO & MD | WordPressMySQLPHP+21 | — | — |
| 18 | Carbon Energy Underground coal gasification company | $9M | 122 mo ago | 23 | 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 19 | Brookside Energy Producer of onshore oil and gas from US assets | $9M | 58 mo ago | 30 | 2004 | — | SentryNode.jsYouTube+11 | — | 4 expansions |
| 20 | Kinetiko Energy Developer of advanced shallow conventional onshore gas resources | $8M | 59 mo ago | 3 | 2010 | — | WordPressMySQLPHP+14 | 3 signals ▲50% Announcements · Contracts | — |
| 21 | Ansila Energy Oil and gas exploration and production company | $8M | 64 mo ago | 5 | 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 22 | HAMR Energy Provider of methanol production services | $7M | 4 mo ago | 5 | 2020 | — | Framer SitesGoogle MapsReact+8 | 3 signals Funding · Contracts | — |
| 23 | Mosman Oil and Gas Developer of helium, hydrogen, and hydrocarbon exploration and production projects | $7M | 13 mo ago | 1 | 2011 | — | DrupalPHPYouTube+6 | 4 signals ▼83% Announcements | — |
| 24 | Otto Energy Oil and gas exploration and production company | $7M | 103 mo ago | 1 | 2004 | — | WordPressMySQLPHP+21 | — | — |
| 25 | Baraka Energy & Resources Provider of automotive service equipment, personnel lifts, and trailers | $4M | 181 mo ago | — | 2005 | Collin Vost CEO | — | — | — |
| 26 | DiviGas Oil and gas exploration and production company | $4M | 55 mo ago | 14 | 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 27 | UIL Energy Provider of new and used agricultural and construction equipment sales, parts, and service | $3M | 172 mo ago | — | 2011 | John De Stefani CEO & MD | — | — | — |
| 28 | Advent Energy Supplier of tools and equipment for various industries | $2M | 55 mo ago | — | 2004 | David Breeze Founder & Director | — | — | — |
| 29 | BPH Oil and gas exploration company | $2M | 33 mo ago | 2,000 | 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 30 | Cott Oil and Gas Oil and gas exploration company | $2M | — | — | 2012 | Andrew Dimsey CEO & MD | — | — | — |
| 31 | Synergia Energy Producer natural gas | $1M | 30 mo ago | 29 | 2003 | Ronald Wessel CEO | DrupalPHPHandlebars+16 | 10 signals ▲100% Announcements · Acquisition · Capital raise | — |
| 32 | Altona Energy Coal mining and exploration company | $713K | 124 mo ago | 14 | 2005 | — | — | — | — |
Top 12 Oil & Gas Upstream companies in Australia
#1
Public · Manly, Queensland · founded 2009 · 20 employees$97.3Mraised▾
Oil & gas production company
- May 2025Post IPO$55.4M
- Jul 2023Series C$48.4M
- Sep 2022Series B$15M
- Dec 2018Series B$24M
#2
Series A · Melbourne, Victoria · founded 2020 · 5 employees$7.1Mraised▾
Provider of methanol production services
- Feb 2026Series A$7.1M
#3
Public · Mosman, New South Wales · founded 2011 · 1 employees$7Mraised▾
Developer of helium, hydrogen, and hydrocarbon exploration and production projects. This company identifies opportunities for projects that generate operating cash flow and offer development potential, while also advancing exploration permits. It currently operates helium and hydrocarbon projects, with some projects transitioned to royalty arrangements to maximize upside without significant capital expenditure. The focus is on developing and producing these resources.
- May 2025Post IPO$1.7M
- Feb 2024Post IPO$380.7K
- Mar 2021Post IPO$2.1M
- Oct 2020Post IPO$1.2M
#4
Public · Cottesloe, Western Australia · founded 2006 · 9 employees$17.3Mraised▾
Operator of onshore and offshore oil and gas assets, and carbon dioxide storage facilities. It engages in active drilling programs and holds interests in various permits. The company also repurposes existing facilities for carbon dioxide storage, demonstrating a commitment to energy transition initiatives. Further new venture activities are underway to expand its portfolio.
- Jul 2024Post IPO$4M
- Jun 2021Post IPO$10M
- Sep 2019Post IPO$2.4M
- 2018Post IPO$882.4K
#5
Public · Perth, Western Australia · founded 2000 · 7 employees$131Mraised▾
Provider of oil & gas exploration and production services
- Aug 2022Post IPO$10.6M
- Feb 2022Post IPO$32M
- Feb 2021Post IPO$9.3M
- Nov 2020Post IPO$7.3M
#6
Public · Perth, Western Australia · founded 2012$22.4Mraised▾
Developer of onshore African gas resources. It focuses on exploration and development of natural gas reserves, advancing commercialization opportunities, and field appraisal activities. The company is establishing gas-to-power commercialization pathways to provide a critical energy supply. Its operations include seismic data acquisition, well drilling, and resource development to become a significant energy supplier.
- Dec 2023Post IPO$10.2M
- May 2022Post IPO$8.5M
- Apr 2020Post IPO$287.4K
- Apr 2018Post IPO$3.4M
#7
Public · Perth, Western Australia · founded 2008 · 59 employees$156Mraised▾
Developer of Rafael gas project and related energy assets. This involves the exploration, development, and production of natural gas resources. The company manages all aspects of the project lifecycle, from initial exploration and feasibility studies to production and eventual decommissioning. It also handles investor relations and regulatory compliance. A focus on environmental considerations and community engagement is maintained throughout the project's lifespan.
- Apr 2022Grant (prize money)$7M
- Apr 2021Post IPO—
- Sep 2014Post IPO$31M
- Aug 2013Post IPO$118M
#8
Public · Paddington, New South Wales · founded 1997 · 24 employees$37.5Mraised▾
Strike Energy is an oil and gas exploration and production company. It has a portfolio of assets concentrated in the Cooper Basin, Australia and the Eagle Ford Shale, USA.
#9
Public · Adelaide, South Australia · founded 2002 · 131 employees$125.9Mraised▾
Producer and marketer of domestic natural gas. This company engages in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas. It also markets the gas domestically. The company is committed to responsible environmental practices, including carbon neutral certification. Its operations include project management and community engagement. The company's focus is on Australian energy markets.
- Mar 2017Post IPO$112.4M
- May 2016Post IPO$13.5M
#10
Acquired · Melbourne, Victoria · founded 2005$41.6Mraised▾
Byron Energy is an oil and gas exploration and production company operating in the Gulf of Mexico, the United States. Claims to hold 100% working interest over hydrocarbon blocks in South Marsh Island, Eugene Island, Grand Island, Vermilion Block and 93% working interest in Bivouac Peak.
- May 2020Post IPO$10.5M
- Aug 2017Post IPO$20.9M
- Sep 2011Post IPO$6.8M
- May 2010Post IPO$3.5M
#11
Public · Brisbane, Queensland · founded 2009 · 34 employees$100Mraised▾
Provider of oil and gas exploration and production services. It primarily focuses on the discovery, development, and production of natural gas and associated liquid resources.
- Aug 2015Post IPO$100M
#12
Public · Brisbane, Queensland · founded 2005 · 10 employees$70.7Mraised▾
Provider of private and group air charter services. This company arranges private jet and group charter flights, offering access to a variety of aircraft for both private and business travel needs. They handle all aspects of the charter process, including aircraft selection, flight scheduling, and passenger services. The company also provides air freight charter services. Their services cater to various sectors, including business meetings, sporting events, and leisure travel. They aim to provide seamless and personalized solutions for clients' air travel requirements.
- Oct 2018Conventional Debt$70.7M
Funding & investor landscape
Notable founders
Market landscape — 10 sub-themes by coverage
Share of Oil & Gas Upstream coverage by sub-theme.
Regulatory-risk over time rising
Funding & growth over time
funding rising · growth rising
Common questions
Rohit lives in the feed. He covers what's moving right now — the funding rounds, launches and shifts breaking across the trade press — and ties them back to where the sector is heading.