Evaluating potential coal seam gas impacts to the Condamine Alluvium: an example of successful community involvement

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 546
Author(s):  
Simon Gossmann ◽  
Stephen Denner ◽  
St.John Herbert ◽  
Sanjeev Pandey ◽  
Randall Cox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Coal Seam ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Extensive Study ◽  
Coal Seam Gas ◽  
Aquifer Testing ◽  
Groundwater Availability ◽  
Vertical Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Coal Measures

The groundwater resources of the Condamine River Alluvial Aquifer (Condamine Alluvium) in Queensland have been developed in the past 60 years for irrigation, stock, domestic and other uses. Extraction of more than 55,000 mL/yr from this aquifer is critical to supporting the local irrigation industry. Existing and proposed coal seam gas development in the Surat Basin extends to underneath the western edge of the CA footprint and involves depressurisation of coals that form up to 10% of the Walloon Coal Measures (WCM) at some depth below the alluvium. Reduced groundwater availability from the already-stressed Condamine Alluvium is thus an oft-quoted concern of landholders when further development of the CSG industry is considered. An extensive study, led by the Queensland Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA) and supported by Arrow Energy, was carried out to provide quantitative assessments of vertical hydraulic conductivity between the alluvium, coal measures and intervening formations. This extended abstract focuses on one element of the aforementioned study led by Arrow Energy, specifically, aquifer testing undertaken at two representative sites overlying the Condamine Alluvium. This included drilling and collection of core; geophysical, geomechanical and geochemical testing; test pumping and monitoring; and, modelling. An important element of this project, aside from sharing of data and results—was the involvement of local landholders in development of the investigations, and attendance at field days during drilling and presentation of results. Key findings included estimated ranges of vertical hydraulic conductivity derived from parameter estimation modelling that were lower than previously suggested.

DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE KOGAN NORTH AND TIPTON WEST COAL SEAM GAS (CSG) FIELDS, SURAT BASIN, SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.W. Day ◽  
R.F. Prefontaine ◽  
P.A.J. Bubendorfer ◽  
M.H. Oberhardt ◽  
B.J. Pinder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Coal Seam Gas ◽  
Cultural Heritage Management ◽  
Well Completion ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Coal Measures

In 2001, Arrow Energy NL, a fledgling coal seam gas (CSG) explorer, drilled the first wells of a multi-well exploration program in two Authorities To Prospect (ATP) permits—ATPs 683P and 676P—that covered an area totalling 13,817 km2 of the Jurassic Walloon Coal Measures in the eastern Surat Basin. The objective was to discover significant CSG resources and, if successful, to commercialise to reserve status. Early exploration success in 2002 saw the discovery of the Kogan North and Tipton West CSG fields. This paper reviews the discovery and subsequent appraisal and development work that Arrow Energy has completed to establish production from these fields.By 2004, Arrow Energy had independently certified Probablereserves in the Kogan North field of 85 PJ, and Possible reserves of 157 PJ. Results from a five-well CSG pilot operation demonstrated the feasibility of commercial gas flow rates sufficiently to justify commercialising CSG from the Walloon Coal Measures in the Kogan North field. Under the terms of a staged development agreement, CS Energy Ltd—Queensland’s largest electricity generator—farmed into the Kogan North Project to earn a 50% interest in PL194 and an adjoining portion of ATP 676P by funding A$13.1 million of the project’s development and appraisalcosts. The funds provided by CS Energy covered the majority of the development costs required for Arrow’s Kogan North development project. The initial gas sales contract from Kogan North will supply sales gas of 4 PJ/a for 15 years to CS Energy from March 2006. Arrow Energy retains the remaining 50% interest and operates the project.With 25 PJ Probable, 90 PJ Probable and 1,980 PJ Possiblegas reserves certified independently, the Tipton West field could potentially be one of the largest onshore gas fields in eastern Australia. Final appraisal of the Tipton West field is currently underway with financial close on the development expected in late 2005. Beach Petroleum Ltd has entered into an agreement to fund the A$35 million required for upstream developmentto supply the initial 10 PJ/a sales gas from the field in 2007, in exchange for 40% interest in th Dalby block of ATP683P. Arrow Energy retains the remaining 60% interest and operates the project.Diligent environmental and land management systems are required with the development of any CSG field. For example, formation water produced from CSG activities needs to be managed effectively. To deal with this water Arrow Energy is developing and implementing several innovative strategies, including forced evaporation dams, water supply to local coal-washing plants and trialling desalination plants to provide drinking water for nearby towns, aquaculture and stock watering.Arrow Energy has also implemented a Cultural Heritage Management Plan within the development areas in cooperation with the local indigenous claimant groups, the Western Wakka Wakka and the Barunggam peoples. The plan was designed to minimise risk of any disturbance to indigenous artefacts and areas of significance during the exploration, construction and ongoing operations associated with the development of both gas fields.The discovery and future development of the Kogan North and Tipton West fields has been achieved by using an appropriate mix of geological evaluation, efficient drilling techniques, innovative well completion methods and successful marketing strategies, integrated with cooperative environmental and cultural heritage management systems.

THE WALLOON COAL MEASURES—THE NEXT COAL SEAM GASTARGET?

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
S.G. Scott ◽  
P. Crosdale
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Coal Seam Gas ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Permian Coal ◽  
Petroleum Wells ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Coal Measures

The Queensland coal seam gas industry has grown over the last 12 years. During this time the vast majority of exploration wells have targeted the Late Permian coal measures in the Bowen and Galilee Basins. These formations have been the major target because they contain coals with a vitrinite reflectance ranging above 0.7%. This range has always been seen as the main period for methane generation.As well as containing vast quantities of Permian coal, Queensland also has vast quantities of Middle Jurassic coals within its Mesozoic Basins. These coals have received little-to-no exploration for their coal seam gas potential as they have always been interpreted as being immature for gas generation.Over 550 petroleum exploration wells drilled in the Mesozoic Surat Basin of eastern Queensland were reviewed to determine the coal volume of the intersected Walloon Coal Measures. A significant number have intersected large volumes of sub-bituminous to high volatile bituminous coals, in seams ranging up to 11.7 m in thickness. While the individual seams are not laterally persistent, the coal packages can be traced over hundreds of kilometres of the eastern Surat Basin.While only one well has tested the gas content, gas quality and saturation of the Walloon Coal Measures, numerous water bores have reported gas flows from the zone, and petroleum wells intersecting the formation have recorded high mud gas readings during drilling.The relatively shallow depth of the unit over much of the basin, the thickness of the coal packages, the proximity to major gas trunk pipelines and markets make the Walloon Coal Measures an ideal target for the next generation of coal seam gas explorers.

scholarly journals Biogeochemical constraints on the origin of methane in an alluvial aquifer: evidence for the upward migration of methane from a coal seam

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte P. Iverach ◽  
Sabrina Beckmann ◽  
Dioni I. Cendón ◽  
Mike Manefield ◽  
Bryce F. J. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Aerobic Oxidation ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Alluvial Aquifer ◽  
Microbial Community Analysis ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Natural Occurrence ◽  
Coal Seam Gas ◽  
Upward Migration ◽  
Coal Measures

Abstract. Geochemical and microbiological indicators of methane (CH4) production, oxidation and migration processes in groundwater are important to understand when attributing sources of gas. The processes controlling the natural occurrence of CH4 in groundwater must be understood, especially when considering the potential impacts of the global expansion of coal seam gas production on groundwater quality and quantity. We use geochemical and microbiological data, along with measurements of CH4 isotopic composition (δ13C-CH4), to determine the processes acting upon CH4 in a freshwater alluvial aquifer that directly overlies coal measures targeted for coal seam gas production in Australia. Microbial and geochemical data indicate that there is biogenic CH4 in the aquifer, but no methanogenic microbial activity. In addition, microbial community analysis showed that aerobic oxidation of CH4 is occurring. The combination of microbiological and geochemical indicators suggests that the most likely source of CH4, where it was present in the freshwater aquifer, is the upward migration of CH4 from the underlying coal measures.

COAL SEAM GAS IN THE SOUTHERN SYDNEY BASIN, NEW SOUTH WALES

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 415 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Faiz ◽  
A.C. Hutton
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
New South ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Gas Composition ◽  
Late Permian ◽  
Coal Seams ◽  
Coal Seam Gas ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Coal Measures

The coal seam gas content of the Late Permian Illawarra Coal Measures ranges from Methane that occurs within the basin was mainly derived as a by-product of coalification. Most of the CO2 was derived from intermittent magmatic activity between the Triassic and the Tertiary. This gas has subsequently migrated, mainly in solution, towards structural highs and accumulated in anticlines and near sealed faults.The total desorbable gas content of the coal seams is mainly related to depth, gas composition and geological structure. At depths

The changing face of Queensland's petroleum industry

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Troup ◽  
Peter Green
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Coal Seam Gas ◽  
Petroleum Wells ◽  
Well Data ◽  
Coal Measures ◽  
Exploration Well

The cycles and related changes in exploration targets identified in this study show the evolution of the Queensland petroleum industry from conventional petroleum to coal seam gas dominance. Delineation of these cycles was undertaken using petroleum exploration well data, and production and reserves statistics. Although the cycles are defined on the basis of exploration activity, there is a very different history in the types of targets and commodities explored for in the Bowen-Surat and Cooper-Eromanga basins. Trends in exploration success have been influenced by technology improvements, better understanding of target reservoirs, proximity to infrastructure, government policy and world oil prices. Four distinct exploration cycles have been identified from the data. During the first cycle (1959–74) exploration focused predominantly on the shallower Jurassic-aged reservoirs in the Bowen-Surat basins resulting in the discovery of most of the major conventional oil and gas fields. The second cycle (1979–89) saw exploration begin in earnest in the Cooper-Eromanga basins and a switch to predominantly Triassic-aged reservoirs in the Bowen-Surat basins. The first coal seam gas exploration wells were drilled during this cycle. The third cycle (1990–99) shows a decrease in the number of conventional petroleum wells across both regions and the beginning of the switch to the present dominance of coal seam gas. The fourth cycle (2000–present) shows a significant decrease in the number of conventional exploration wells drilled across both regions, but an increase in the success rates. All conventional discoveries in the Bowen-Surat basins during cycle four have been in Permian-aged reservoirs, reflecting a change in the exploration focus to deeper parts of the Bowen Basin. Coal seam gas exploration has expanded significantly, with the Walloon Coal Measures being targeted, resulting in nearly four coal seam gas wells drilled for each conventional petroleum exploration well state-wide since 2000. Examination of coal seam gas exploration highlights the many false starts since the first well was drilled in 1980. Exploration has shifted from area to area as companies tested different exploration concepts and completion techniques. The most obvious shift has been from Permian-aged targets of the Bowen Basin into the Jurassic-aged Walloon Coal Measures in the Surat and Clarence-Moreton basins, as its prospectivity was realised.

Identification of Breakout Behind Casing: Methodology to Obtain Openhole-Equivalent Caliper Measurements Through Slotted Liner Using the Density Tool

2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 651-669
Author(s):  
Laurent Mosse ◽  
◽  
Stephen Pell ◽  
Thomas J. Neville ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Coal Seam Gas ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Gas Formation ◽  
Artificial Lift ◽  
Production Section ◽  
Permian Coal ◽  
Completion Fluids ◽  
Coal Measures

Growth in the coal seam gas industry in Queensland, Australia, has been rapid over the past 15 years, with greater than USD 70 billion invested in three liquified natural gas export projects supplied by produced coal seam gas. Annual production is of the order of 40 Bscm or 1,500 PJ, with approximately 80% of this coming from the Jurassic Walloon Coal Measures of the Surat Basin and 20% from the Permian Coal Measures of the Bowen Basin. The Walloon Coal Measures are characterized by multiple thin coal seams making up approximately 10% of the total thickness of the unit. A typical well intersects 10 to 20 m of net coal over a 200- to 300-m interval, interbedded with lithic-rich sandstones, siltstones, and carbonaceous mudstones. The presence of such a significant section of lithic interburden within the primary production section has led to a somewhat unusual completion strategy. To maximize connection to the gas-bearing coals, uncemented slotted liners are used; however, this leaves fluid-sensitive interburden exposed to drilling, completion, and produced formation fluids over the life of a well. External swellable packers and blank joints are therefore used to isolate larger intervals of interburden and hence minimize fines production. Despite these efforts, significant fines production still occurs, which leads to the failure of artificial lift systems and the need for expensive workovers or lost wells. Fines production has major economic implications, with anecdotal reports suggesting up to 40% of progressive cavity pump artificial lift systems in Walloon Coal Measures producers may be down at any one time. The first step in solving this problem is to identify the extent and distribution of fines production. The wellbore completion strategy above, however, precludes the use of mechanical calipers to identify fines-production-related wellbore enlargement. A new caliper-behind-liner technique has therefore been developed using a multiple-detector density tool. Data from the shorter-spacing detectors are used to characterize the properties of the liner as well as the density of the annular material. This is particularly important to evaluate as the annulus fill varies between gas, formation water, drilling and completion fluids, and accumulated fines. The longer-spacing detector measurements are then used in conjunction with pre-existing openhole formation density measurements to determine the thickness of the annulus, and hence hole size, compensating for liner and annulus properties.

IDENTIFICATION OF BREAKOUT BEHIND CASING: METHODOLOGY TO OBTAIN OPENHOLE EQUIVALENT CALIPER MEASUREMENTS THROUGH SLOTTED LINER USING THE DENSITY TOOL

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Mosse ◽  
◽  
Stephen Pell ◽  
Thomas Neville ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Density Measurement ◽  
Coal Seam Gas ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Artificial Lift ◽  
Production Section ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Permian Coal ◽  
Coal Measures

Growth in the coal seam gas industry in Queensland, Australia, has been rapid over the past fifteen years, with greater than USD 70 billion invested in three liquified natural gas export projects supplied by produced coal seam gas. Annual production is of the order of 40 Bscm or 1,500 PJ, with approximately 80% of this coming from the Jurassic Walloon Coal Measures of the Surat Basin and 20% from Permian coal measures of the Bowen Basin. The Walloon Coal Measures are characterized by multiple thin coal seams making up approximately 10% of the total thickness of the unit. A typical well intersects 10 to 20 m of net coal over a 200 to 300 m interval, interbedded with lithic-rich sandstones, siltstones, and carbonaceous mudstones. The presence of such a significant section of lithic interburden within the primary production section has led to a somewhat unusual completion strategy. To maximize connection to the gas-bearing coals, uncemented slotted liners are used; however, this leaves fluid-sensitive interburden exposed to drilling, completion, and produced formation fluids over the life of a well. External swellable packers and blank joints are therefore used to isolate larger intervals of interburden and hence minimize fines production. Despite these efforts, significant fines production still occurs, which leads to failure of artificial lift systems and the need for expensive workovers or lost wells. Fines production has major economic implications, with anecdotal reports suggesting up to 40% of progressive cavity pump artificial lift systems in Walloon Coal Measures producers may be down at any one time. The first step in solving this problem is to identify the extent and distribution of fines production. The wellbore completion strategy above, however, precludes use of mechanical calipers to identify fines production-related wellbore enlargement. A new caliper-behind-liner technique has therefore been developed using a multiple-detector density tool. Data from the shorter spacing detectors is used to characterize the properties of the liner as well as the density of the annular material. This is particularly important to evaluate as the annulus fill varies between gas, formation water, drilling and completion fluids, and accumulated fines. The longer spacing detector measurements are then used in conjunction with pre-existing open-hole formation density measurement to determine the thickness of the annulus, and hence hole size, compensating for liner and annulus properties. This methodology has been applied to several wells completed in the Walloon Coal Measures. Results have demonstrated the ability to identify zones of borehole enlargement behind slotted liner, as well as intervals of either gas or fines accumulation in the annulus. In addition, the technique has been successful in verifying the placement of swellable packers and their integrity. The application of this solution has been used to drive improvements in the design of in-wellbore completion programs and in the future will help drive recompletion decisions and trigger proactive workovers.

Integrated Geomorphological, Geospatial and AHP Technique for Groundwater Prospects Mapping in Basaltic Terrain

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaishnavi Mundalik ◽  
Clinton Fernandes ◽  
Ajaykumar Kadam ◽  
Bhavana Umrikar
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Drainage Density ◽  
Groundwater Potential ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Thematic Layers ◽  
Groundwater Availability ◽  
Basaltic Terrain ◽  
Thematic Layer ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Gis Environment

Groundwater is an important source of drinking water in rural parts of India. Because of the increasing demand for water, it is essential to identify new sources for the sustainable development of this resource. The potential mapping and exploration of groundwater resources have become a breakthrough in the field of hydrogeological research. In the present paper, a groundwater prospects map is delineated for the assessment of groundwater availability in Kar basin on basaltic terrain, using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Various thematic layers such as geology, slope, soil, geomorphology, drainage density and rainfall are prepared using satellite data, topographic maps and field data. The ranks and weights were assigned to each thematic layer and various categories of those thematic layers using AHP technique respectively. Further, a weighted overlay analysis was performed by reclassifying them in the GIS environment to prepare the groundwater potential map of the study area. The results show that groundwater prospects map classified into three classes low, moderate and high having area 17.12%, 38.26%, 44.62%, respectively. The overlay map with the groundwater potential zones in the study area has been found to be helpful for better planning and managing the resources.

Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity of Clayey Tills and the Role of Fractures

1990 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny Fredericia
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
American Studies ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Present Knowledge ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Laboratory Measurements ◽  
Vertical Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Data Field

The background for the present knowledge about hydraulic conductivity of clayey till in Denmark is summarized. The data show a difference of 1-2 orders of magnitude in the vertical hydraulic conductivity between values from laboratory measurements and field measurements. This difference is discussed and based on new data, field observations and comparison with North American studies, it is concluded to be primarily due to fractures in the till.

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