COAL SEAM GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES IN AUSTRALIA: A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Miyazaki

A total of 2,223 PJ of proved plus probable gas reserves has been identified in coal seam gas fields and pilot production areas in Australia. The production of coal seam gas is rapidly growing, reaching about 40 PJ per year in 2003. A total of more than 108 PJ will be supplied annually by the end of 2007 under existing contracts, representing about 9% of Australia’s projected total primary consumption of natural gas. About two thirds of Queensland’s natural gas consumption will be met by coal seam gas by the end of 2007. Further expansion of the coal seam gas industry depends largely on the medium-term production performance of the pioneering production projects now in operation.The long-term production performance of a coal seam gas well is not well understood. Analogues of conventional natural gas have often been applied to the estimation process of coal seam gas reserves without proper consideration of the fundamental differences in trapping mechanisms and production techniques. Definitions of petroleum reserves recommended by various organisations are not always applicable to coal seam gas, and the inconsistent application of reserves definitions may have resulted in inconsistencies in reserves reporting in Australia.

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.L. Baker ◽  
W.R. Skerman

The commercial production of coal seam gas [CSG] in Australia is only a decade old. Over the last 10 years it has become a significant part of the Australian gas industry, particularly in Queensland where about 31 PJ or 30% of all natural gas used in the State was recovered from coal seams in eastern Queensland. In 2005 CSG was expected to have supplied 55 PJ or 44 % of the eastern Queensland gas demand. The mining, mineral processing and power generations in northwest Queensland, serviced by the Carpentaria Gas Pipeline, will continue to use gas from the Cooper-Eromanga Basin.The CSG industry is reaching a stage of maturity following the commissioning of a number of fields while some significant new projects are either in the commissioning phase or under development. By the end of 2008 CSG production in Queensland is expected to reach 150 PJ per year, the quantity needed to meet Gas Supply Agreements for CSG that are presently in place.Certified Proved and Probable (2P) gas reserves at 30 June 2005 in eastern Queensland were calculated to be 4,579 PJ, of which 4,283 PJ were CSG. Gas reserves (2P) for eastern Queensland a decade earlier were less than 100 PJ with those for CSG being less than 5 PJ.The coal seam gas industry in both the Bowen and Surat basins—which includes major gas producers such as Origin Energy Limited and Santos Limited along with smaller producers such as Arrow Energy NL, CH4 Gas Limited, Molopo Australia Limited and Queensland Gas Company Limited—is now accepted by major gas users as being suppliers of another reliable source of natural gas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 10527-10555
Author(s):  
Xinyi Lu ◽  
Stephen J. Harris ◽  
Rebecca E. Fisher ◽  
James L. France ◽  
Euan G. Nisbet ◽  
...  

Abstract. In regions where there are multiple sources of methane (CH4) in close proximity, it can be difficult to apportion the CH4 measured in the atmosphere to the appropriate sources. In the Surat Basin, Queensland, Australia, coal seam gas (CSG) developments are surrounded by cattle feedlots, grazing cattle, piggeries, coal mines, urban centres and natural sources of CH4. The characterization of carbon (δ13C) and hydrogen (δD) stable isotopic composition of CH4 can help distinguish between specific emitters of CH4. However, in Australia there is a paucity of data on the various isotopic signatures of the different source types. This research examines whether dual isotopic signatures of CH4 can be used to distinguish between sources of CH4 in the Surat Basin. We also highlight the benefits of sampling at nighttime. During two campaigns in 2018 and 2019, a mobile CH4 monitoring system was used to detect CH4 plumes. Sixteen plumes immediately downwind from known CH4 sources (or individual facilities) were sampled and analysed for their CH4 mole fraction and δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures. The isotopic signatures of the CH4 sources were determined using the Keeling plot method. These new source signatures were then compared to values documented in reports and peer-reviewed journal articles. In the Surat Basin, CSG sources have δ13CCH4 signatures between −55.6 ‰ and −50.9 ‰ and δDCH4 signatures between −207.1 ‰ and −193.8 ‰. Emissions from an open-cut coal mine have δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of -60.0±0.6 ‰ and -209.7±1.8 ‰ respectively. Emissions from two ground seeps (abandoned coal exploration wells) have δ13CCH4 signatures of -59.9±0.3 ‰ and -60.5±0.2 ‰ and δDCH4 signatures of -185.0±3.1 ‰ and -190.2±1.4 ‰. A river seep had a δ13CCH4 signature of -61.2±1.4 ‰ and a δDCH4 signature of -225.1±2.9 ‰. Three dominant agricultural sources were analysed. The δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of a cattle feedlot are -62.9±1.3 ‰ and -310.5±4.6 ‰ respectively, grazing (pasture) cattle have δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of -59.7±1.0 ‰ and -290.5±3.1 ‰ respectively, and a piggery sampled had δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of -47.6±0.2 ‰ and -300.1±2.6 ‰ respectively, which reflects emissions from animal waste. An export abattoir (meat works and processing) had δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of -44.5±0.2 ‰ and -314.6±1.8 ‰ respectively. A plume from a wastewater treatment plant had δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of -47.6±0.2 ‰ and -177.3±2.3 ‰ respectively. In the Surat Basin, source attribution is possible when both δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 are measured for the key categories of CSG, cattle, waste from feedlots and piggeries, and water treatment plants. Under most field situations using δ13CCH4 alone will not enable clear source attribution. It is common in the Surat Basin for CSG and feedlot facilities to be co-located. Measurement of both δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 will assist in source apportionment where the plumes from two such sources are mixed.


Author(s):  
Vitaliy Makarov ◽  
◽  
Mykola Kaplin ◽  

The subject of the research is the directions of development of the gas industry of Ukraine. The purpose of the study is to develop a mathematical model for calculating the program of development of the country's gas industry to solve the problem of choosing options for commissioning of new natural gas fields and intensification of existing fields. The methods of system analysis, linear programming, comparative analysis and expert evaluations are used in the work. A model for calculating a program for the development of the gas industry is proposed to solve the problem of choosing options for commissioning new natural gas fields and intensifying existing fields. The model is based on representing development options with achievable volumes of annual production increase in integer linear programming problems. New and operating natural gas fields can be presented in the model with statistical information on their distribution by reserves and depths with the corresponding development costs, as well as the dependences of the predicted annual production volume on the measures taken and technologies to improve the efficiency of gas extraction. Model calculations provide a two-stage method for determining the options for the development of the industry. At the first stage, a variety of options are optimized according to the criterion of unit costs per 1,000 m3 of gas produced during the entire program period. The second stage ensures the optimal distribution of the selected options between the periods of the program using the criterion of the production volume and with the limited costs of the previous period for the preparation, prospecting and exploration of deposits. The results of calculating feasible options for the development of the gas production industry based on statistical information on volume, mining and geological and cost indicators of the development of resources and natural gas reserves are presented. The calculations investigated the options for the uniform distribution of investment, as well as their growth from the first stage to the next. For both cases, the priority is set for the selection of fields with large reserves at the same depths. Such a procedure for putting fields into operation is expedient, both from the point of view of the criterion for the optimal functioning of the industry over a long period of time – the unit costs of production, and on the basis of considerations of achieving the highest volumes of extraction in the shortest possible time. In the case of small capital investments in the development of the industry, the model selects small-volume reserves of deposits according to the structure of Ukrainian reserves.


2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 686
Author(s):  
Cristian Purtill

The Queensland Government has developed an associated water management policy that, among other things, strives to maximise the beneficial use of associated water derived from Queensland’s burgeoning coal seam gas industry. The Department of Infrastructure and Planning reports that domestic gas production alone (i.e. without an export LNG market) will produce on average 25 GL per annum in the next 25 years. Most of this water has sufficiently high total dissolved solids and other water quality issues to require some form of treatment prior to use. Clearly, the relatively large volumes of water present both challenges and opportunities to the communities in which the CSG industry is developing. In line with the philosophy of beneficial use of associated water, Santos has developed a portfolio of options within its associated water management strategy and plans for its Arcadia Valley, Fairview and Roma tenements. The strategy seeks to: provide enduring value for the community; maximise benefits while minimising the environmental footprint; provide a range of alternatives to avoid single-mode failure; use scalable options in response to uncertainty; deploy demonstrated technologies; and, meet and exceed all regulatory requirements. This paper will set some context around the broader CSG industry’s associated water challenges, and identify what parameters must be considered in arriving at beneficial uses for the water. The paper then explores some of Santos’ approaches to associated water management.


2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 716
Author(s):  
Peter Smith ◽  
Iain Paton

The large number of wells associated with typical coal seam gas (CSG) developments in Australia has changed the paradigm for field management and optimisation. Real time data access, automation and optimisation—which have been previously considered luxuries in conventional resources—are key to the development and operation of fields, which can easily reach more than 1,000 wells. The particular issue in Australia of the shortage of skilled labour and operators has increased pressure to automate field operations. This extended abstract outlines established best practices for gathering the numerous data types associated with wells and surface equipment, and converting that data into information that can inform the decision processes of engineers and managers alike. There will be analysis made of the existing standard, tools, software and data management systems from the conventional oil and gas industry, as well as how some of these can be ported to the CSG fields. The need to define industry standards that are similar to those developed over many years in the conventional oil and gas industry will be discussed. Case studies from Australia and wider international CSG operations will highlight the innovative solutions that can be realised through an integrated project from downhole to office, and how commercial off the shelf solutions have advantages over customised one-off systems. Furthermore, case studies will be presented from both CSG and conventional fields on how these enabling technologies translate into increased production, efficiencies and lift optimisation and move towards the goal of allowing engineers to make informed decisions as quickly as possible. Unique aspects of CSG operations, which require similarly unique and innovative solutions, will be highlighted in contrast to conventional oil and gas.


2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 689
Author(s):  
Peter Goode

Australia is transitioning to become an energy superpower—the $43 billion Gorgon LNG project and the other comparably sized projects lining up behind the Gorgon project confirm this. There are predictions that around $80 billion of CAPEX on LNG projects will be approved for expenditure for the 2010 financial year with much more to be invested in the following years. And, we are on the cusp of further coal seam gas developments in Queensland, which could see annual production rise from 130 to more than 3,000 petajoules per annum once the infrastructure is in place. What are the skills needed to realise the true potential of these investments? An appropriate asset management plan is key. Asset management is more than the provision of maintenance services—it is about developing a systematic approach to managing an asset during its life and achieving the outputs required by the owner of the asset. Program and project management of brownfield capital works, maintenance services and infrastructure projects are also essential technical capabilities to help meet the demand of the burgeoning LNG and coal seam gas industries. These skills will determine who can deliver on schedule, or ahead of it. The other key capability will be mobilising, managing and retaining people. There is speculation that the Queensland coal seam gas industry alone will generate approximately 12,000 jobs. The industry needs to be prepared to be innovative in engaging, training and upskilling people. As the only true global resources and industrial provider in Australia, Transfield Services will share its key learnings on effectively managing assets, projects and people from its work with clients including Canada’s largest energy company, Suncor Energy.


2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 369
Author(s):  
G. Scott ◽  
C. Ammundsen

Access to water is a significant issue in Queensland as much of the State continues to be affected by a prolonged drought. Coal seam gas production involves extracting water from coal seams to reduce the groundwater pressure that keeps the methane trapped in the coal. This process produces large volumes of water. Local councils, primary producers and industrial developers are potential end users of this water; however, if the water is of poor quality, it may be unsuitable for release in the environment and for other direct beneficial uses.This paper examines the complex legislative and regulatory hurdles that need to be overcome before any mutually beneficial agreement between the coal seam gas producer and end user may be completed. It also examines an operational policy recently released by the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency that proposes a framework for the regulation and management of water extracted from coal seams.


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