Evaluating potential coal seam gas impacts to the Condamine Alluvium: an example of successful community involvement
Simon Gossmann A , Stephen Denner A , St.John Herbert A , Sanjeev Pandey B , Randall Cox C , Mark Gallagher D and Josh Moncrieff DA Arrow Energy Pty Ltd.
B Klohn Crippen Berger.
C Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland Government.
D Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment, Queensland Government.
The APPEA Journal 56(2) 546-546 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ15052
Published: 2016
Abstract
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.
Simon Gossmann’s present role is Manager Strategic Water Management and Planning, where his goal is to use a scientific approach to bridge the concerns of stakeholders and corporate interest in the area of hydrogeology. Simon’s key successes throughout his five years at Arrow Energy include delivery of two joint connectivity studies with landholders and the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA) in the Surat Basin, delivery of comprehensive groundwater monitoring systems in the Bowen and Surat basins, and a baseline assessment program involving more than 950 landholder bores. He is passionate about actively engaging with stakeholders to achieve win-win outcomes. Simon holds a Masters degree in Environmental GeoScience from the University of Tuebingen, Germany. |
Stephen Denner is a Groundwater Specialist at Arrow Energy Pty Ltd. |
St.John Herbert is a Principal Hydrogeologist with Arrow Energy and has 28 years experience providing technical advice on water, environment, assessment across the mining, energy, industrial and development sectors. St.John’s recent focus has been on uncertainty assessment in predictive groundwater pressure modelling. |
Sanjeev Pandey is a Senior Hydrogeologist at Klohn Crippen Berger. |
Randall Cox is the General Manager of the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment in Queensland. He is a groundwater hydrologist by training, with a background in groundwater management and water resources policy. Randall has been centrally involved in the development of water planning, water entitlement, and trading systems in Queensland. He had a central role in the implementation of management arrangements for the Great Artesian Basin, and played a key role in developing the Queensland regulatory framework for the management of the impacts of CSG water extraction. Randall led the preparation of the first Surat Underground Water Impact Report in 2012, that assesses the cumulative impact of planned water extraction by petroleum tenure holders in the Surat and southern Bowen Basins on groundwater resources and establishes integrated management arrangements. More recently he has led the preparation of an update of that report to incorporate the latest information. |
Mark Gallagher works at the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment, Queensland Government. |
Josh Moncrieff works at the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment, Queensland Government. |
References
Lane, W.B., 1979—Progress report on the Condamine underground investigation to December 1978. Volume I (Text) and II (Plans). Brisbane: Queensland Water Resources Commission.Queensland Water Commission, 2012—Underground water impact report for the Surat cumulative management area; July 2012. Brisbane: Queensland Water Commission (now Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment).
