Government blocks Rowley Shoals drilling

Josh Frydenberg says federal government will exclude Rowley Shoals, which have been the focus of lobbying by environmental groups, from offshore drilling.

The federal government has scrapped plans to allow companies to drill for oil and gas near the coral reefs of Western Australia's Rowley Shoals.

Federal Resource Minister Josh Frydenberg told an oil and gas conference in Brisbane on Monday that the government will exclude the reefs, which have been the focus of lobbying by concerned environmental groups, from any offshore exploration.

It's the second time the government has excluded Rowley Shoals from exploration, having previously done so in 2013.

Mr Frydenberg said there were 28 shortlisted areas in Commonwealth waters off WA and in the Ashmore Cartier.

He said the offshore petroleum acreage release, which details which waters will be open to exploration, will be handed down after the July 2 election.

Traditionally, the government announces the acreage release at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association annual conference.

Mr Frydenberg said, because the government was in caretaker mode, the release would be finalised after the election.