Coal Seam GasThe Ugly Truth

“An uncontrolled experiment on the environment, human and animal health”

What is Coal Seam Gas (CSG)?

Coal Seam Gas (CSG) is the natural occurring gas trapped in underground coal seams by water and ground pressure. The most common occurring gas is CSG is methane which is used with CSG.

Coal Seam stores both gas and water. The water is under pressure from the weight of the overlaying ground and soil, which holds/ traps the gas in place. When the water pressure is reduced, the gas is released (Arrow Energy, 2014).

Extraction Process

The CSG is extracted by drilling a well vertically through the rock strata until reaching the coal seam, then the well may also be drilled horizontally to increase access to the gas (Lock the Gate Alliance Ltd, 2013). the water pressure is reduced when a well is drilled into the Coal Seam and the water is gradually pumped out of the seam. This then allows the gas to flow freely to the surface of the well (Arrow Energy, 2014).

According the Arrow Energy (2014) CSG wells are drilled no deeper than approximately 700 metres.

 There is currently a total of 3508 active coal seal seam gas wells, with 3249 of these wells being in QLD and the remaining 259 in

NSW. These figures include both exploration and production wells.

What is Fracking?

Fracking is commonly used by the CSG giants to stimulate and accelerate the flow of the CSG. Fracking involves the use of high pressure injection of sand, water and chemicals in the CSG wells. The pressure injection causes ‘fractures’ in the coal seam which allows the gas the flow to the surface of the well.

Fracking comes with many issues and concerns; it includes the potential to contaminate water sources and it is speculated it can cause minor tremors or earthquakes (Lock the Gate Alliance Ltd, 2013).

Problems with CSG

• The water the is extracted from the coal seam is generally salty, contains toxic and radioactive compounds and heavy metals. Once the water is extracted from the coal seam it is stored in tanks or holding ponds as CSG sites before being trucks or piped to treatment facilities.

• CSG puts at risk our drinking water catchments, our underground water resources, our rivers and wetlands (Lock the Gate Alliance Ltd, 2013).

• CSG is the blame for health problems and issues. Although not proved there has been a higher report of health issues in towns that have CSG. Compared to before they had CSG.

• A study conducted in the US hasn’t just found that CSG is a risk to our health but they have also found that CSG is the cause of animal health problems in areas with CSG wells (Westerman, 2012).

• Destruction of land and property to make way for CSG wells or holding ponds (Hannam, 2014).

• CSG Kills wildlife and forces them from their homes through the destruction of land (Wildlife Tourism Australia, n.d.) .

• CSG forces people and traditional land owners of there properties and out of their homes.

“CSG is ‘cheaper’ than renewables, cheaper option now. Is not the best option and not the cheaper option

in the long run”

“CSG well water or ‘Produced water’ quality is highly variable from site to site, but it is generally not fit for

animal or human consumption”

References

• Arrow Energy. (2014). What is Coal Seam Gas? Retrieved April 2, 2104, from http://www.arrowenergy.com.au/our-company/what-is-coal-seam-gas

• Lock the Gate Alliance Ltd. (2013). About Coal Seam Gas. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://www.lockthegate.org.au/about_coal_seam_gas

• Lock the Gate Alliance Ltd. (2013). Our Water. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://www.lockthegate.org.au/our_water

• Westerman, H. (2012). Gas drilling research highlights risk to animals, but more thorough work needed. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://theconversation.com/gas-drilling-research-highlights-risk-to-animals-but-more-thorough-work-needed-4902

• Hannam, P. (2014). Rush for CSG a major environmental risk, says Tony Windsor. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/rush-for-csg-a-major-environmental-risk-says-tony-windsor-20140318-34yzu.html

• Wildlife tourism Australia. (n.d.). Coal Seam Gas, Fracking Coal mining and Australian wildlife. Retirved April 2, 2014, from http://www.wildlifetourism.org.au/discussions/conservation-of-wildlife-and-habitats/coal-seam-gas-and-australian-wildlife/