What is the coal seam gas project?
$60 million Santos Coal Seam Gas Project Opens 27th Sep 2002 Santos – the company which has led Australia’s conventional onshore oil and gas discoveries for more than 40 years – has developed Queensland’s largest coal methane gas plant to supply the Swanbank Power Station, near Ipswich.
Where is coal seam gas extracted in Australia?
Coal seam gas production in Australia Significant reserves of coal seam gas are known in the Bowen and Surat basins in Queensland. In New South Wales reserves have been proven in the Sydney, Gunnedah, Clarence-Moreton and Gloucester basins.
Is natural gas the same as coal seam gas?
Coal seam gas is natural gas found in coal deposits, typically 300-600 metres underground. Coal seam gas is held in place by water pressure. To extract it, wells are drilled through the coal seams and the water pressure is reduced by extracting some of the water. This releases natural gas from the coal.
Is coal seam gas the same as natural gas?
Coal seam gas, or coal bed methane (CBM, is a form of natural gas, typically extracted from coal seams at depths of 300-1000 metres. It is a colourless, odourless, non-toxic mixture of a number of gases but mostly made up of methane (generally 95-97 per cent pure methane).
What are the benefits of extracting coal seam gas?
Natural gas extracted from coal seams can offer a number of benefits as an energy source: natural gas typically burns more efficiently than coal or oil and can emit less greenhouse gas at the points of extraction and combustion.
What is the coal seam gas water management policy?
The Coal Seam Gas Water Management Policy 2012 focuses on the management and use of CSG water under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, and does not vary the requirements of the Water Act 2000 (Water Act), such as ‘making good’ any relevant impacts that may result from a CSG operation on water supply bores.
What is the law on coal seam gas in Queensland?
The Queensland Government has laws to protect groundwater supplies and the environment from the impacts of petroleum and gas activities, including coal seam gas (CSG). Chapter 3 of the Water Act 2000 requires that: petroleum and gas operators monitor and assess the impact of their operations on underground water
How is coal seam gas (CSG) produced?
To produce coal seam gas (CSG), wells are drilled into underground coal seams, bringing water (CSG water) from the seams to the surface. This process reduces pressure in the seams which allows CSG to be released. The quality of CSG water quality varies greatly, however it is generally rich in salts and other minerals.
What happens to coal seam gas operators when they decommission?
At the time tenure and environmental authorities are surrendered, coal seam gas operators, in most cases, decommission and rehabilitate disturbed land or features during their operations, for example, dams, water treatment plants and roads. However, in some cases, operators may retain the asset.