Loffler_N_15329826_EDC171_Assignment2B

1
The Effect of Coal Seam Gas Mining on Water
Level, Pressure and Quality in the Great Artesian
Basin

• Natalie J. Loffler
• 15329826
• EDC171
• Curtin University/Open Universities Australia

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What is the great artesian basin?
Why is it important?
CSIRO. (2011).  Geographic extent of the Great
Artesian Basin and selected overlying surface
water drainage divisions image. Retrieved from
http//www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Energy/Energy-from-oi
l-and-gas/UnconventionalGas/Learn-more/GAB-and-CSG
.aspx
3
coal seam gas

• A form of natural gas
• A source of energy
• Trapped in coal seams
• Extracted through mining
• (Queensland government department of natural
  resources and mines DNRM, 2014)

A THREAT TO THE GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN?
Australian Science Media Centre (2014). Coal seam
gas Image. Retrieved from http//www.smc.org.au/
2012/05/resource-page-coal-seam-gas/
4
Lock the Gate Alliance. (n.d.). Logo image.
Retrieved from http//www.lockthegate.org.au/campa
igns
Searle, J. (2012). No title photograph.
Retrieved from http//www.news.com.au/national/que
ensland/farmers-and-environmental-groups-blast-new
-gas-industry-ad-that-claims-coal-seam-gas-is-safe
-for-groundwater/story-fndo4ckr-1226464606972
Stop CSG Illawarra (n.d.). No title photograph.
Retrieved from http//seacliffcoast.com.au/stop-cs
g-illawarra
Himbrechts, D. (2012). No title photograph.
Retrieved from http//www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne
ws/opinion/unholy-alliance-of-illogic-gives-coal-s
eam-gas-a-bad-name/story-e6frezz0-1226233827801?nk
72ad56d9133e4fd7ea2d86e3eb32577e
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Changes to flow and pressure in surrounding
aquifers
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WATER REMOVED FROM COAL SEAM
CHANGES IN WATER AND GAS PRESSURE IN COAL SEAMS
AND AQUIFERS
WATER GASES MOVE TO EQUALISE PRESSURE
REDUCED WATER PRESSURE LEVELS IN FRESH WATER
BORES
POTENTIAL FOR CONTAMINATION
WWW.GASANDOIL.COM.AU
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AQUIFERS ARE BEING CONTAMINATED AS A RESULT OF
COAL SEAM GAS MINING
TRUE OR FALSE?
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CONTAMINATION FROM GAS
NO EVIDENCE FOUND
CONTAMINATION FROM HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
NO EVIDENCE FOUND
CSIRO. (2012). SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF THE HYDRAULIC
FRACTURING PROCESS IMAGE. RETRIEVED FROM
http//www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Energy/Energy-from-oi
l-and-gas/What-is-hydraulic-fracturing.aspx
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What does this mean?

• Currently there is no evidence to suggest that
  csg mining is having a negative impact on the
  great artesian basin.
• csg mining has the potential to reduce the
  sustainability of the great artesian basin.
• Government bodies are trying to limit the risk.
• More research is needed urgently.

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Advice for students studying inquiring about the
world in the future

• Choose a topic that interests you that you know
  little about this is an opportunity to learn
  about something important. I did not know
  anything about coal seam gas, including if it was
  relevant to me, when I started this project.
• The assessments are all leading toward a finished
  product as you start the first you are gathering
  information for the product. This is an
  opportunity to work slowly on a large task, take
  your time on each step. It is all about quality.
• The weekly tutorials are designed to help you
  with your assessments. Do the work and it will
  make it easier.
• Look everywhere for answers but also look
  everywhere for questions. You will find more
  information if you are not looking for a specific
  response to a predetermined question. In my
  research I found I changed the direction of my
  questions several times as I found more and more
  information and avenues to follow.

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Reference

• Commonwealth scientific and industrial research
  organisation csiro. (2014). The great artesian
  basin and coal seam gas factsheet. Retrieved
  from http//www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Energy/Energy-f
  rom-oil-and-gas/UnconventionalGas/Learn-more/GAB-a
  nd-CSG.aspx
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
  Organisation CSIRO. (2012a). What is coal seam
  gas. Retrieved from http//www.csiro.au/Outcomes/E
  nergy/Energy-from-oil-and-gas/What-is-coal-seam-ga
  s.aspx
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
  Organisation CSIRO. (2012b). Coal seam gas
  developments predicting impacts. Retrieved from
  http//www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Energy/Energy-from-oi
  l-and-gas/UnconventionalGas/Learn-more/CSG-develop
  ments-predicting-impacts.aspx
• McVeigh, J. (2014). The largest area of
  Queensland ever drought declared media
  statement. Retrieved from http//statements.qld.g
  ov.au/Statement/2014/3/7/the-largest-area-of-queen
  sland-ever-drought-declared.
• Osborne, K. (2012). Is coal seam gas polluting
  groundwater? Australasian Science (2000), 33(8),
  22-25. Retrieved from http//www.
  search.informit.com.au
• Queensland Government Department of Natural
  Resources and Mines DNRM. (2014). About coal
  seam gas CSG and liquefied natural gas LNG.
  Retrieved from http//www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/mining/c
  oal-seam-gas/about?SQ_DESIGN_NAMEprint-guide
• Stevenson, A., Flook, S. (2008). Inland waters
  and wetlands artesian bore pressure. Retrieved
  from https//www.ehp.qld.gov.au/state-of-the-envir
  onment/report-2007/contents/inland_waters_and_wetl
  ands_artesian_bore_pressure.html
• Young, A. (2012, January 31). Experts suggest
  link between coal mining and fragile lakes.
  Interview by G. Miskelly. 7.30 Television
  broadcast. Retrieved from http//www.abc.net.au/7
  .30/content/2012/s3419966.htm.