The Coal Seam Gas Rush

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The Coal Seam Gas Rush

Updated April 05, 2012 17:27:47

Produced by ABC Radio Multiplatform & Content Development, and presented by ABC News Online.

Coal seam gas has emerged as a major industry in Australia in little more than a decade.

The scale and speed of its growth has been nothing short of astonishing: billions of dollars have poured into regional areas; new jobs have been created; state and national coffers have swelled; export contracts have been signed and sealed; massive liquefied natural gas facilities have been approved for construction at regional ports.
Farmers fear they are losing control of their land. Miners and some politicians say coal seam gas offers a much greener energy choice. Environmentalists and other politicians have cast doubt on those claims.
The ABC's data journalism project has pulled together information from dozens of sources to provide an insight into the promise and the dangers inherent in the coal seam gas rush.

Quick guide

• How is coal seam gas mined?
• How does fracking work?
• What is the gas used for?

Did you know:

• it is estimated there will be 40,000 coal seam gas wells in Australia
• conservative estimates suggest coal seam gas wells could draw 300 gigalitres of water from the ground each year?
• the industry could produce as much greenhouse gas as all the cars on the road in Australia?
• modelling suggests the industry could produce 31 million tonnes of waste salt over the next 30 years?

Coal seam gas and you

The ABC has produced the most comprehensive map of Australia's coal seam gas activities made so far.
Use the search tool to find gas wells in places of interest to you, and zoom in on Queensland and New South Wales to explore the full extent of coal seam gas mining in the Great Artesian Basin.
Click on individual wells to see their status, depth, the name of the company that owns the well, and exact geographical coordinates.
Click on the 'leases' button to see where coal seam gas companies have the right to look for more gas.
(Note: Data collected and provided by government authorities does not disambiguate coal seam gas wells from conventional gas wells and some other activities. There is no data set from government or industry that provides that level of detail. Therefore, some of the wells shown on this map may be conventional gas wells, core holes, stratigraphic or chip holes. The map reflects the most current and accurate data on coal seam gas activity that was available from government agencies at the time of publication.)

 To Get The Full Picture Go To    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-24/coal-seam-gas-by-the-numbers-map/3664318   to view the map  to see what is coming up

Water, salt and carbon in the coal seam gas future

By ABC Rural staff

Wednesday, 23 November  2011

The site also examines claims that coal seam gas is a clean energy source.

The CSG industry has consistently argued the production of gas from coal seam is a cleaner source of energy compared with coal.

However the ABC's information, sourced from an environmental impact statement (EIS) produced by Origin Energy, indicates that Santos, QGC/BG International, Shell/Arrow Energy and Origin/Conoco Philips could produce 39.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year.

ABC researchers calculate those emissions estimates, from the Origin Energy report, nearly equal emissions produced by the 20 million private vehicles in the country and exceed the emissions from coal production.

But the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, (APPEA) stands by its message that CSG is a cleaner source of fuel.

APPEA commissioned research company, Wolsey Parsons to look at the emissions from coal seam gas and compare them to coal.

Rick Wilkinson from APPEA says it shows there's an 87 percent improvement using CSG compared to coal to generate electricity.

Mr Wilkinson says substituting coal for CSG in the production of electricity, will benefit the world by reducing emissions by four tonnes for every one tonne of emissions produced by gas.

"I think the benefits of gas over coal are very clear and the degree to which we can replace coal with gas, whether it's in Australia or overseas, is going to be a good thing."

Policing coal seam gas development

New South Wales' capability to regulate and police its burgeoning coal seam gas industry is coming under scrutiny.

The ABC investigation found Queensland had 18 inspectors to audit the compliance of coal seam gas and mining in 2009, and last year a team of 35 was added.

It also reveals compliance breaches were only discovered on 'unscheduled' site visits.

The effectiveness of Queensland's regulation of the industry is being examined as the number of coal seam gas proposals continues to increase in New South Wales.

The New South Wales Farmers' Association President Fiona Simson says the officers must not be confined to a desk.

“It totally depends on how these people are doing the enforcement and how they are doing the audits.

“I would say that landholders in Queensland don’t have confidence at the moment that the audits are being carried out satisfactorily,” she said.

Ms Simson says if there are six compliance officers for mining and coal seam gas in New South Wales it may not be enough.

“It’s extraordinarily hard to find out how many officers there are on the ground and where these officers are stationed.

“It raises huge concerns to us that if there are only six officers in the state the actual amount of compliance that is going on.”

  
Click Here to find out more  http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2011/s3373965.htm


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Coal Seam Gas Project Leaves Kingaroy in Limbo

Coal seam gas project leaves Kingaroy in limbo

• by: Paul Weston
• From: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
• July 25, 2010 12:01PM

DUST-UP: Wendy Buttsworth (with children Bailey and Renae) wants the gas trial stopped. Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
 

THEY call it "the bastard on the hill" – a neighbour they cannot see, an enemy working in the burning light underground that threatens the future of Queensland's richest farming land. 

For the cattle and crop farmers toiling in the red soil just 7km south of Kingaroy, Cougar Energy's pilot underground coal gasification project on their properties remains a mystery.
When the mining company moved in with the blessing of the State Government in 2008, the farmers had little choice but to stand aside, watch and pray that their fertile food bowl – and its precious natural supply of underground water – would be left unscathed by the radical gas trial.
Gasification involves finding an underground coal seam and setting it alight. The resulting gas is captured and converted into fuel for energy use.
The farmers around Kingaroy claim Cougar Energy has kept them in the dark about the project.

Shortly after the drilling tests began, one farmer reported that the bore water in his tank and stock troughs had turned bluish in colour.
After repeated denials from Cougar Energy and Department of Environment and Resource Management inspectors that the water had been contaminated, it was eventually revealed that tests had, in fact, discovered the cancer-causing chemical benzene and toxic toluene in groundwater samples. As a result, Kingaroy farmers are now temporarily banned from selling their cattle.
As Damien O'Sullivan struggles to see the distant lights of the facility south of his property, his thoughts are clear about the Government's trial with what Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson calls "interesting and somewhat exciting technology".
"We haven't got any confidence in the safety of our water now," Mr O'Sullivan says. "At the moment no one in this 2km exclusion zone around the plant is selling stock.
"You can't put any investment in your property. We don't know what will happen with this process. It's made properties in the area totally unsaleable.
"There's a company that has ruined everyone's land value and put a question mark over the viability of the Burnett (region) and put stress on a lot of families."
When the Government finally sounded the poison alarm on July 16, Mr O'Sullivan's neighbour Wendy Buttsworth moved quickly to save her cattle from harm.
Her husband, Mark, was away in Cloncurry at the Stockman's Challenge, which left Mrs Buttsworth, daughter Renae, 10, and son Bailey, 6, to muster their stock to a safer paddock.
"We've got 70 head and 10 heavily pregnant broodmares. We did that on horseback. It took us a good couple of hours," Mrs Buttsworth says, smiling at the memory.
These fifth-generation farmers, working more than 260ha of land, are used to overcoming nature's challenges, but are grim-faced about a future clouded by gas-technology trials on three separate western Queensland sites.
"What concerns me is the lack of community consultation," Mrs Buttsworth says. "There's been none before this was given the green light. It's been horrendous for us.
"The first I learned about it (the poison scare) was on the Friday and I haven't had a call from any (government) officer until today – seven days later."
Council economic analysis shows South Burnett's rural industry is worth more than $200 million a year, of which $150 million is from livestock.
Peak farming group AgForce estimates agriculture at Chinchilla, where the two other gas trials are being conducted – by Linc Energy and Carbon Energy – contributes more than $100 million a year to the state's economy.
"The South Burnett is one of the most productive and generous farming areas in the state," AgForce president John Cotter says. "They have high-value produce – navy beans, soya beans, corns, peanuts."
Not surprisingly, the Queensland Resources Council wants all concerned "to take a cold shower" – difficult if you are using bore water – and wait for further test results as the future of the multibillion-dollar gas sector is on the line.
But concerns about the impact of the coal trials and risks to the rural industry will be relayed by Mr Cotter to the minister, Mr Robertson, at a community Cabinet meeting in Roma today.
Industry insiders fear a widescale ban will target beef from the gas regions, leading to a shortage of supply at supermarkets and, in the worst instance, a tarnishing of Australia's export brand.
Farmers are required by law to sign a vendor's declaration stating that their cattle have not been exposed to chemicals, which means the chemical scare leaves them perched on a barbed wire fence. They cannot be sure their cattle have not been exposed to contaminated water and if they sign they risk the threat of future prosecution if the beef turns out to be damaged.
"Both the companies and the Government have got to give the maximum effort, which the Government is doing at the moment, to ensure that the future of these people is the highest priority and that they are not left in limbo," Mr Cotter says.
"The other issue – if there's been an economic loss to these people – there has to be consideration given to compensation."
AgForce also cautions the alarmists about what might happen at the future sales gate, contending that "the potential for crop contamination should be zero" and the current monitoring program should ensure no further poisoning of supplies of water to cattle.
However, the Burnett region is already suffering a hit to its pristine reputation, with potential tourists telephoning John Bjelke-Petersen, son of former premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, asking if water at their holiday lodges was safe to drink.
Nanango Independent MP Dorothy Pratt has been closely monitoring the issue since January and, while she is maintaining that the township's water supply is safe, she is worried.
In a letter to Premier Anna Bligh on July 16, a day after the issue was debated at Estimates in State Parliament, Mrs Pratt asked why it took four weeks for the Government or Cougar Energy to reveal the contamination.
"Why was the community put in possible jeopardy for that period of time?" Mrs Pratt asked in an email to the Premier.
Cougar Energy had been open and informative and built up some trust in the community by creating a consultative group, Mrs Pratt argued.
"If Cougar Energy's monitoring recorded an issue on 16/6/2010 and if the Government knew on the 30/06/2010, was there a cover-up by both Cougar Energy and government? Was there an intention not to inform those at most risk of this breach as it would appear to be?"
Mr Robertson admitted at a public meeting it was a mistake not to alert residents but, when questioned by Mrs Pratt, refused to discuss compensation.
"The first stop is not one of compensation; the first stop is rectification," he said.
After initially considering the project and offering 98 per cent support for it, Mrs Pratt wants the plant shut down.
"Obviously the process has failed, the company has failed and the government has failed to monitor sufficiently to protect the community. They can pack their meccano set and leave," she said.
Cougar Energy executives are reluctant to fuel the debate any further, and add to a statement on the company's website that notes the health and well-being of the Kingaroy community remains a priority.
"The evidence provided by independent testing data confirms there is no spread of contaminants into the water supply, nor is there any threat to the water supply in the local community," the company said.
Company directors were reassessing capital needs in the light of requests from DERM and looking forward to "re-ignition of its pilot burn".
For veteran environmentalist Drew Hutton, who is working with concerned farmers, the next battleground is the federal election with his Friends of the Earth group about to survey candidates on their position on the state's coal seam gas industry.
"This is technology that should never have been allowed to go ahead in the first place, and the Queensland Government is foisting it on the people of western Queensland," Mr Hutton says. "They can't say no to a mining company. They never have."
westonp@qnp.newsltd.com.au 

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George gives support to CSG

IF TAPPING into coal seam gas is the only way to combat a looming energy crisis, it is a path Lismore MP Thomas George says he is prepared to go down.

The revelation came after the State Government forwarded a submission to Canberra warning gas supply to regional NSW could run short as early as 2014.
The submission, to be included in the Federal Government's draft white paper on energy, suggested CSG was the solution to keeping household bills down.
In the past many of the state's Coalition MPs have publicly voiced their opposition to the use of CSG and its impact on rural land, but Mr George had been reluctant to comment.
Yesterday Mr George said he would support whatever measures needed to be taken to keep energy costs down so long as there was no "unreasonable" impact on farmers and the environment.
"A very big concern for local residents is the rapid increase in the cost of energy," Mr George said.
"I support making sure we have a good supply of gas and electricity, which will drive down costs and that is what the State Government's submission is highlighting.
"I am supporting my residents 100% when it comes to getting increased energy and lower costs for gas and electricity, but if CSG is necessary to drive down costs it has to be delivered in a way that doesn't impact on farmers or the environment."
Unreasonable doesn't begin to describe the impact CSG would have, according to environmental scientist Boudicca Cerese.
The spokeswoman for the Northern Rivers Lock the Gate alliance said the flow-on health and environmental effects would be "disastrous".
She said rural NSW regional landscape would be pitted with gas wells "just like Queensland" where the two biggest CSG companies export the majority of their resources.
"It doesn't make sense. We believe the government needs to be taking a whole approach to the development of renewable resources rather than the current stance which seems to be 'let's fully support CSG and withdraw from looking into renewable possibilities'."
Ballina MP Don Page was contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline.

Article By  http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2012/04/20/george-gives-support-to-csg-lismore/

CSG campaigner wants MP to Quit

A TWEED coal seam gas campaigner says Lismore MP Thomas George, whose electorate includes Murwillumbah, should resign because of his apparent support for the controversial energy source.

Michael McNamara said Mr George was not representing his constituents' views.
"And if he finds himself unable to do that he should resign," Mr McNamara said.
"Communities in Mr George's electorate have overwhelmingly come out against CSG."
Mr George did not respond to My Daily News calls yesterday.
Mr McNamara said 99% support from locals was thrown behind the launch of a CSG-free communities strategy last week at The Channon.
"More community meetings have taken place in Mr George's electorate this weekend with similar results and the momentum is continuing to grow.
"Support for the CSG industry from Mr George and the NSW government flies in the face of pre-election commitments given by the Coalition.
"The claim by supporters of CSG that the government needs the royalties raised to pay for hospitals and schools is outrageous."
He claimed gas companies could take advantage of royalty-free periods of five years for new production wells, after which payments increased on a sliding scale.
Mr McNamara said protest rallies would be held outside State Parliament on May 1 and in Lismore on May 12

By Colin Gilmore | 24th April 2012 5:00 AM

 Story provided by   www.mydailynews.com.au

Resource Information

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 There’s lots of information and news sources on coal and coal seam gas – in Australia and overseas.

• Lock The Gate
  A national alliance of 90 community, industry and environmental groups fighting CSG.
• Coal Seam Gas: By The Numbers
  An in-depth, interactive resource from the ABC.
• CoalSeamGasNews.org
  Provides quick access to Coal Seam Gas mining news, research, forums and more.
• STOP Pilliga Coal Seam Gas
  The Pilliga Forest is a truly iconic and precious place.
• VIDEO: ABC Four Corners
  Investigative documentary on coal seam gas mining and the cost to farmers and the environment.
• VIDEO: Ch9 60 Minutes – Undermined
  “It’s happening in our backyard. And it’s our laws and our politicians who are letting it happen.”
• NSW Office of Environment Report
  “Significant environmental impacts on hydrological and ecological functions of Coastal Upland Swamp may occur if toxic injection fluids or saline/alkaline coal seam water find their way into the swamps and associated streams.” (see point 19)
• Gasland Australia
  See the trailer for the Oscar nominated documentary by Josh Fox.

Information Supplied by CSG Free Northern Rivers

http://www.csgfreenorthernrivers.org

This website   http://huntervalleyprotectionalliance.com has a wealth of Government and Scientific links,in debt PDF Docs with stats,  with community groups coming together for their on-going fight to stop the region from CSG Mining destruction to the community,environment and world re known local wine industry.
 

Council acts on CSG tip off

Lismore City Council has withdrawn support for seismic testing by Metgasco on Council-owned land in the Rock Valley area after discovering staff had approved an application without the councillors' knowledge.

On September 1 a Council staffer sent a letter to Metgasco approving the testing, but it wasn't until after Tuesday night's Council meeting that councillors became aware of the approval.
Having learnt of an application by Metgasco, Mayor Jenny Dowell moved an 'urgency motion' during the meeting that all requests for CSG and mineral testing or exploration on Council owned or administered land be brought before the Council for consideration. However it wasn't until after the motion had been passed and the meeting concluded that Mayor Dowell became aware that approval had already been granted following a discussion with Rock Valley resident Wanda Halden, who had been liaising with Council staff. Mayor Dowell took swift action and by Wednesday lunchtime Metgasco had been advised that Council's permission had been rescinded.
"Thanks to the vigilance of the community we now have a better process in place to deal with this and future applications," Mayor Dowell said.
Council is still unclear about its legal position in relation to CSG and mineral mining applications and has requested guidelines from the state and federal government about applications on Crown or Council-owned land.
Mayor Dowell said the urgency motion ensured all future applications would be brought before Council in the interests of transparency.
"Councils have very little say and many communities are getting very concerned that they have such little say," Mayor Dowell said. "We may not have the powers to approve them (applications) or knock them back. The advantage of it coming to Council is it allows public airing... it allows more time for assessment of the request and its implications and it allows public scrutiny of the elected councillors."
The Council made its feelings about CSG mining known at a hearing of the NSW CSG Parliamentary Inquiry that was held in Alstonville on September 21.
"I was asked would Council approve CSG if health and safety issues were addressed," Mayor Dowell said. "My response was that I did not believe the current Council would approve it, with the current political make-up of Council, as there were other issues other than safety such as the loss of prime agricultural land, the impact across our countryside of drills and pipes, the loss of amenity for neighbouring properties - that's because our farms are closer together than out west - and because of the social split that's likely in our community over this issue."
Wanda Halden from Rock Valley GAS Rangers discovered the approval after a local claimed they sighted a CSG drilling truck and she went digging through reports on the Department of Primary Industries website. After questioning officers she was emailed an amended document that was not publicly displayed on the website.
She has now called on Council to appoint a CSG liaison officer based in Lismore because she found correspondence with Council staff difficult. She said she was told by staff that they weren't aware the Metgasco application was CSG related.
"It is obvious to me that Council has proven it is not equipped to thoroughly deal with the threat that CSG poses... and Metgasco has a poor-track record of public consultation," Wanda said. "At the Invercauld House meeting they locked the doors and people were prohibited from being part of the meeting and they have not spoken to Rock Valley residents in person, by mail or telephone about this testing."
Mayor Dowell said appointing a liaison officer was not something that could be done immediately and would have to be debated by councillors.
"That is a budgetary consideration so I cannot see that happening in the short term... it would have implications for other parts of our budget."
Boudicca Cerese from Kyogle Group Against Gas said this was a classic case of communities remaining ignorant because vital information was not being made public.
"The details of this seismic survey are contained in a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) that was approved last year and then revised in September 2011 to include new sites around Rock Valley. The original document has been on the government website since last year but the revised document is unavailable, so there has been no way for the Rock Valley residents to find out that this is planned for their area," she explained.
Wanda has now begun talking to Rock Valley residents and farmers about the implications of CSG mining in the valley. Since claims a drilling truck was spotted the trail has gone cold and she urges locals to keep their eyes peeled for any Metgasco activity around Hayter Road.
She said she was wholeheartedly encouraged by the fact Mayor Dowell and Council has acted so fast but is still "on guard".
"It's great Council has shown itself to be working with the community and responding to its constituents," Wanda said. "But if we find any CSG equipment or vehicles in our valley I will be rallying Rock Valley Gas Ranger members, residents and the wider community to blockade just like the Liverpoool Plains farmers.
"I see blockading as part of adopting precautionary measures to ensure all conditions are met before any CSG activities are conducted… Some community members question the legality over blockading to protect their farmlands and aquifers from CSG decimation, but I say that morals should prevail over any unjust laws."

By Terra Sword | 10th November 2011
From the Northern Rivers Echo
http://www.echonews.com.au