Hydrogeological characterisation of regional faults and dolerite dykes in the Precambrian Basement and Karoo Supergroup (Tete Province, Mozambique)

Faults and dolerite dykes within Basement- and Karoo-aquifers in northern Mozambique may increase groundwater occurrence but may also be barriers to groundwater flow. Should observation boreholes drilled into regional and local faults as well as dykes show a response to aquifer testing, it would be deduced that these hydrogeological discontinuities are not barriers to groundwater flow. The approach adopted for this study included a sequential process involving data acquisition through a hydrogeological fieldwork programme consisting of geophysical surveys, borehole drilling, aquifer testing, and groundwater level monitoring. The Zambezi Border and geological contact faults were characterised by high variability in hydraulic properties. Aquifer testing resulted in drawdown in observation boreholes as well as a reduction in piezometric surface in the installed vibrating wire piezometers located in different aquifer units, indicating the Zambezi Border- and geological contact-faults were not barriers to groundwater flow. Not all the northwest-southeast trending dykes acted as barriers to groundwater flow, as there were discreet intervals with relatively high permeability present.

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

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.