Concurrent 1. Oral Presentation for: The Walloon Coal Measures resource density: how low can we go?
Steven Scott A *A Australian Gas Company Pty Ltd, GPO Box 2376, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia.
The APPEA Journal 63 - https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22302
Published: 2 June 2023
Abstract
Presented on Tuesday 16 May: Session 1
Coal seam gas (CSG) production began from the Walloon Coal Measures of the Surat Basin in 2005. Initial field developments were located within a high production fairway where resource densities are >3.5 PJ/km2. The majority of the Surat Basin CSG is produced by four major consortia with tens of billions of dollars invested in infrastructure. As a result, the industry directly contributes to >30 000 jobs within Queensland and is forecast to contribute >A$5.5 billion in royalties over the next 5 years. Gas offtake is dominated by the export LNG market with a consistent daily throughput of 3–4 PJ. Gross Queensland gas production exceeded 1500 PJ in 2020 with ~80% coming from the Walloon Coal Measures. Historical breakeven wellhead gas prices in high resource density areas in the Surat Basin have been reported as <$5/GJ for undeveloped 2P Reserves with access to infrastructure. Moderate resource density CSG potential in the Surat Basin which is commonly in the shallower margins was historically considered marginal or sub-commercial if the requirement for in-situ standalone infrastructure capital expenditure is factored into economical modelling. Therefore, the potential of these developments will require stakeholder cooperation via existing infrastructure. Accounting for natural decline in current fields, available capacity at existing facilities and pipelines, and the forecast impending east coast gas supply imbalance, the landscape and economics of Queensland CSG production is predicted to transform. The paper explores the lower limit of gas rates and recoveries, on a single well basis, in shallow, moderate resource density underdeveloped areas of the Walloon Coal Measures.
To access the Oral Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here
Keywords: coal seam gas, development economics, gas processing infrastructure and transmission, gas supply shortfall, production, resources and reserves, Surat Basin, Walloon Coal Measures.
Steven Scott is Founder and Director of Australian Gas Company Pty Ltd (AusGasCo). He has a BSc(Hons), Geology and Mineralogy from the University of Queensland and a PhD from James Cook University. He has over 40 years of experience in coal exploration; conventional and unconventional oil and gas; and CSG exploration, appraisal and development in Australia and internationally. Steven began his career with the Geological Survey of Queensland, working in both the Coal Exploration and the Petroleum Resources sections. In 2000 Steven joined the Queensland Gas Company as Senior Geologist, progressing to Vice President, Exploration and Technical Services. In 2010 he joined Senex Energy as General Manager, Exploration. In 2016, with Brent Glassborow, he co‐founded a consultancy company, offering integrated technical, project management and business development services and consultancy to the petroleum industry. Steven is a member of AAPG, PESA and GSA, and is a registered Petroleum Geologist. |
