1. Summary Introduction The Problem Methodology Joseph Stroud PhD Thesis
‘A Risk assessment of the Impacts of Coal Seam Gas (CSG) extraction ‘Legacy’ wells: on Groundwater and Surface Water Systems, in Northern New South Wales and Queensland, Australia’.
Joseph Stroud PhD Thesis
Introduction
Summary
What is coal seam gas (CSG)?
Coal seam gas (or coal bed methane) is natural gas that is found in association with coal seams, whereas conventional natural gas is found in association with other geological forms such as sandstones and shales. Coal seam gas resources are prevalent in Queensland and NSW, but also occur elsewhere in Australia. The drive to develop the resource in Australia has been the result of the liquefied natural gas market which allows the export of gas to key expanding markets in Japan, China and South Korea. These countries have very aggressive consumption targets to replace coal and nuclear power.
Research questions
My research is focused on ‘legacy’ wells – a previously ignored element of the CSG extraction footprint.
Legacy Wells: What are they and why are they important?
In the rush to exploit the ‘riches’ of CSG; 100,000s of CSG associated legacy wells or bores have been created. These are wells that have not yielded appropriate gas and are de-commissioned, or have been, simply abandoned. The investigation of these CSG ‘legacy’ wells appears to be the likeliest way of independently assessing the risks and potential impacts of CSG extraction.
Andrew Wild 7th December 2015
The Problem
Polarisation of Views
The polarisation of opinion on the coal seam gas (CSG) extraction has been extreme since it came to the attention of the public around 2004.
The polarisation of opinion, appears to be due to:
The apparent ‘gold rush’ perception of the ‘clean fossil fuel’ at one extreme by the mining companies and government.
Community fears principally regarding environmental risk including freshwater contamination and hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’ CSG extraction.
Lock the Gate alliance Inc. 19th October 2015
Stop CSG Brisbane 29th February 2014
References
Chief Scientist & Engineer, (September 2014). ‘Independent Review of Coal Seam Gas Activities in NSW. Information paper: Abandoned wells’. New South Wales Government.
. Accessed August 2016.
Commonwealth of Australia, Department of the Environment, Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Mining Development (IESC), (June 2014b). Knowledge report. ‘Bore integrity, Background review’.
 Copyright,
. Accessed March 2016.
Commonwealth of Australia, Department of the Environment, Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Mining Development(IESC), (June 2014c). Knowledge report. ‘Co-produced water-risks to aquatic ecosystems’.
. Accessed March 2016.
Commonwealth of Australia, Department of the Environment, Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Mining Development(IESC), (June 2014d). Knowledge report. ‘Hydraulic fracturing (‘fraccing’) techniques, including reporting requirements and governance arrangements’.
. Accessed March 2016.
Factiva, (April 2016 to present). ‘Factiva’: Traditional Media search engine. Information on CSG/CBM. Desk top research on CSG/CBM by J. M. Stroud PhD. Candidate. April 2016-present.
Facebook, (April 2016 to present). ‘Facebook’. Social Media. Desk top research on CSG/CBM by J.M. Stroud PhD. Candidate. April 2016 to present.
Twitter, (April 2016 to present). ‘Twitter’. Social Media. Desk top research by J.M. Stroud PhD Candidate on CSG/CBM, April 2016 to present.
Methodology
What is fracking and dewatering?
Fracking is the hydraulic fracturing of coal seams, up to three kilometres underground by repeated injection of the coal seam with up to 100,000 litres of water and up to 980 different additives (proppants) which assist the fracking process. Before fracking can commence: de-watering, or the removal of groundwater and aquifer water must take place; as most CSG is found in Australia’s artesian basins. During CSG production, tonnes of waste ‘brine’ water are ‘produced’: and often held in ‘ponds’.
Stop CSG Brisbane 6th December 2014
Queensland Country Life 11th May 2016
Faculty of Society and Design