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An inquiry into unconventional gas exploration in South Australia could be underway as early as next week following Liberal Party support for a Greens motion in State Parliament's Upper House.

The Opposition amended the motion by Greens MP Mark Parnell to ensure the Parliament's Natural Resources Committee (NRC) focused primarily on the south east, an agriculturally rich region heavily earmarked by the State Government for shale gas extraction.

The Liberals last month voted against the Greens inquiry because its focus was state-wide rather than on the south east.

Liberal Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell had since tabled a south-east focused motion for debate in the Lower House where it was destined for defeat by the Government and independents.

He said supporting the Greens motion in the Upper House was the best possible outcome.

"I went to an election promising an inquiry," Mr Bell said.

"Now I've been able to deliver, which is a little bit more difficult when you're in opposition because you've got to work with a range of different stakeholders."

He said the NRC was the best option because the members had "real life, hands-on experience".

"Plus they have already started taking some evidence as part of their committee anyway, so they are further progressed than any other committee would be, which would have to start from scratch," Mr Bell said.

Mr Parnell said he was disappointed that the terms of reference for the inquiry had to be so narrow.

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Liberals side with Greens to support fracking inquiry in South Australia