Frequently asked questions.
If you have a question that is not listed below, please just ask us here.
Categories:
Water
Salt
Land
Cultural heritage
All about gas
The Project
Our approach
Water
What is Origin doing with the water that comes up?
Water is produced during coal seam gas extraction activities. This is because the water traps the gas in coal seams, which needs to be pumped out in order to release the gas. The quality of this water differs from region to region, however it’s not suitable for consumption or use in agriculture without some treatment due to its high salt content.
We are leading the way in responsible water management. In 2007, we invested $20 million in a state-of-the-art desalination water treatment plant at Spring Gully, which was the first of its kind in Australia. It uses cutting edge water management and treatment technology to purify and desalinate up to 12 million litres of water per day.
Water is far too valuable to let go to waste. That’s why we’re committed to working with local communities to look at possible uses for this treated water. Options for water use being investigated include:
- Irrigation of agricultural crops
- Urban and industrial uses
- Discharge of interim or occasional surpluses of treated water into local river systems
- Reinjection into suitable underground aquifers
What are the potential uses for CSG water?
- An exciting project we’re trialling is using treated water to irrigate a Pongamia plantation – a type of legume that can be used as cattle feed and can also be processed to make bio-fuel.
- We’re currently developing a trial to test re-injecting the treated water we have extracted back into the ground.
- We will be participating in studies into the long-term sustainable water supply options for the region and offering support to programs for water conservation within the region.
- We will be offering our landowners near the water pipeline network the opportunity to access water on commercial terms, subject to availability and relevant approvals.
Are the water aquifers being drained?
Australia Pacific LNG, on behalf of Origin has developed a groundwater monitoring model in conjunction with the Queensland Government. It is the first of its kind to be used in Queensland, and will form the basis for future independent modelling of water aquifers in the Surat Basin.
Origin has undertaken significant modelling of projected groundwater impact for both its own project and the CSG industry. We note that the significant majority of bores in the CSG development area do not take supply from these aquifers. If there is an impact detected, we will fulfil our responsibilities under the Petroleum and Gas Act to investigate and make good the impacts. It is important to note that the CSG industry will not be the largest producer/user of water from aquifers in the project area.
Facts on water aquifers:
|
Industry |
Avg Max Per Day |
Avg Max Per Year |
|---|---|---|
|
CSG water from coal seams (based on peak levels in 2026) |
170 ML |
62,500 ML |
|
Agricultural regional average use of surface water |
1973 ML |
720,000 ML |
|
Agricultural estimated use of ground water |
384 ML |
140,000 ML |
|
Gross average CSG water production across 30 year project life |
100ML/day |
36,500 ML |
Note: There are currently 13,213 licensed agricultural bores accessing the Walloons.
Salt
What is happening with the salt extracted?
We intend to undertake a number of trials to provide appropriate disposal methods for salt produced as part of the CSG extraction process. Australia Pacific LNG is currently investigating the concentration and crystallisation of salts from the brine to be sold commercially for industrial purposes.
Land
How will Origin prevent the spread of noxious weeds when going from one property to another?
Before we start work on any property, we undertake environmental assessments to identify any site-specific weed management requirements. Origin has well established procedures in place for managing weed transfer risks, including vehicle hygiene declarations, trained staff, vehicle inspections and monitoring. We work together with landowners to ensure we protect environmental and land values.
Also, on behalf of Australia Pacific LNG, Origin has pledged to develop weed management guidelines to minimise the spread of weeds throughout the study area, as well as controlling and eradicating new weed infestations. This will be achieved by working with regional councils in weed control, and constructing weed wash down facilities near Miles and in the Banana Shire to support gas field and pipeline construction and operations for everyone in the community to use.
Will good quality agricultural land be affected by your operations?
We have conducted studies into land use and determined that the overall impact on good quality agricultural land (GQAL) from the Australia Pacific LNG Project will be minimal after construction has been completed.
It is estimated that the full development of the proposed gas fields’ facilities may initially disturb some 23,726ha of GQAL or 2% as a result of initial construction activity.
Following the completion of construction and associated rehabilitation activities, it is estimated that the ultimate development of the gas fields will remove from potential agricultural production in the order of 4,319ha of GQAL or 0.4% for the operational life of the facilities concerned.
It is estimated that the construction of the gas pipeline will disturb approximately 1,000ha of GQAL, and following the completion of construction and associated rehabilitation activities, approximately 31ha of GQAL will be removed from potential agricultural production during our operations.
Afterwards it will be available for farming once more. Given that much of the land impacted by the gas fields’ and pipeline infrastructure will revert mostly to its original use once operational, the economic impact associated with the change in land use is anticipated to be minimal.
Is my land covered by a petroleum authority?
There are many different types of petroleum authority. The Queensland Government has specific information capturing all petroleum authorities held over land within the state. If you are not already aware of whether your land is covered by a petroleum authority we recommend you view the State Government website.
Or contact the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation directly as follows:
General Enquiries:
- Free Call: 1800 657 567 (toll-free within Australia)
- Phone: +61 7 3898 0375
- Fax: +61 7 3238 3088
Email Queensland Mines and Energy (QME) with your questions or feedback using the online enquiry form or send your email to info@dme.qld.gov.au Remember, just because you are not in the area of an Australia Pacific LNG petroleum authority does not mean you may not be in the area of a petroleum authority held by another company. Make sure you check the available information to find out.
Cultural heritage
What is a Cultural Heritage Management Plan?
A Cultural Heritage Management Plan is undertaken by proponents such as Australia Pacific LNG to assess any potential impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage by any projected work associated with a project.
If I received a letter relating to the Australia Pacific LNG Cultural Heritage Management Plan does it mean there will be works by Australia Pacific LNG on my property?
No. The Cultural Heritage Management Plan notices cover a larger area than the area that will be covered by the final proposed works associated with the Australia Pacific LNG Project.
Does this letter mean Aboriginal People can claim my land?
No. The Australia Pacific LNG Cultural Heritage Management Plans and the letter we have written to you are limited to the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage and do not relate to any claims by Aboriginal parties to any rights over any land.
All about gas
What is coal seam gas?
As the name suggests – coal seam gas (often referred to as CSG) is formed and stored naturally within coal deposits. It forms as a thin film on the surface of the coal. Coal seams are naturally filled with water and the water pressure keeps the gas in place. Coal seam gas is generally 95-97% pure methane.
What is liquefied natural gas?
Put simply, liquefied natural gas (often referred to as LNG) is a natural gas which has been cooled to minus 161°C, at which point it condenses into liquid. With the volume of gas reducing to 1/600th of its original size, it means a much greater volume of LNG is able to be stored and transported than natural gas which has not been condensed, due to it taking up so much less space.
As an example of how efficiently LNG uses space – think of a 43cm beach ball being reduced to the size of a ping pong ball. The condensing of the gas to such an extent allows it to be shipped much more economically to markets throughout the world.
How is CSG different to conventional gas?
The main difference between CSG and other natural gas is how it occurs in nature. Whilst CSG is stored by the gas forming a thin film on the surface of the coal, in conventional reservoirs such as sandstones, gas is stored within pore spaces between individual sand grains in a sandstone reservoir. Wells drilled to extract CSG are generally smaller and easier to move.
How is CSG different to UCG?
There’s been some commentary recently confusing the Coal Seam Gas (CSG) industry on the Western Downs with the trial Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) projects.
It’s something we’d like to clear up because CSG production is completely different to UCG – from extraction methods and processes through to the output.
Not only that, CSG is an established source of energy that we already use for domestic heating and cooking, as well as for electricity generation to power our homes and businesses.
Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) is a process of the gasification and combustion of coal that actually burns coal under the ground to create a synthetic gas called Syngas – a combination of hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Coal Seam Gas (CSG), on the other hand, is natural gas that’s trapped in the cleats or fractures in some coal seams by water. All we basically do is pump out some of the water to reduce pressure to release it. There is no burning and no artificial conversion of the coal into gas.
Could any of these reported UCG incidents happen with CSG?
Origin and Australia Pacific LNG have no involvement in any Underground Coal Gasification projects. Our operations are in Coal Seam Gas.
It is simply incorrect to draw any comparisons between the CSG industry and the UCG pilot projects – including any assumptions of possible environmental impacts.
We can assure you that the chemical traces detected – benzene and toluene – are not used in any of Origin’s CSG processes or in any of the gas we extract.
We are committed to the long term management of both natural gas and water resources.
Like more information?
We’re happy to discuss any questions you may have about CSG extraction. Just drop into your local Origin office or call us on 1800 526 369.
The Project
What is Australia Pacific LNG?
Australia Pacific LNG is a 50:50 joint venture between Origin and ConocoPhillips, where Origin is the operator and developer of the gas fields and associated pipelines and the pipeline from the Surat and Bowen Basins to Gladstone, and ConocoPhillips is the developer of the coal seam gas (CSG) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant on Curtis Island off Gladstone. You can view information on the Project here on this website and at Australia Pacific LNG’s website.
What is the Australia Pacific LNG Project?
The Australia Pacific LNG Project (often referred to as Australia Pacific LNG) is a proposed coal seam gas (CSG) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) development project, enabling the creation of a world-class, long-term industry in Queensland by developing the largest coal seam gas reserves in Australia.
Will Australia Pacific LNG contact me if they are going to do any work on my land?
Yes. Australia Pacific LNG will not undertake any work on your land without first contacting you, no matter how minor.
Information sessions were held in Cecil Plains, Millmerran, Miles, Chinchilla, Biloela, Taroom & Roma as these are the areas most affected by the Project. Further consultation will continue both in public sessions, council and with individual landowners. Most landowners that are affected by the initial part of the Project have already been contacted.
How long will the Project take/be around?
The Australia Pacific LNG Project is a long-term investment and project providing a new industry and many benefits to Queensland. The Project is aiming to deliver 500 gas-producing wells per year over a 30 year period.
What does the Project actually involve?
The Australia Pacific LNG Project (often referred to as Australia Pacific LNG) involves four main developments or phases:
1. Further development and extraction of gas from existing gas fields
2. The construction of a pipeline to transfer the gas from the gas fields to the gas processing plant. The pipeline will be approximately 450km long
3. The construction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing trains (plants) where the gas is liquefied (cooled to -161°C which condenses the gas)
4. The construction of associated facilities to export the gas to international markets via LNG ships
What potential benefits will the Project provide?
The Australia Pacific LNG Project will generate significant benefits at regional, state and national levels, including:
- Creation of up to 4,000 to 5,000 direct jobs during the peak construction phase of the gas fields, gas pipeline and LNG plant
- Creation of 1,000 direct ongoing jobs during the operation of the Project
- Expenditure in regional economies through the purchase and use of local resources, where practicable, for the construction and operation of the plant
- Significant contribution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions
- Billions of dollars in capital investment through to 2020
- Creation of a new, long-term gas processing and export industry in Queensland
- Generation of Queensland and Commonwealth Government revenue over the life of the Project
Is all the gas produced by Origin and Australia Pacific LNG going to the export market?
No, in fact gas from Origin and Australia Pacific LNG’s existing gas fields provides more than 30% of Queensland’s domestic gas supplies. This includes supplying gas to a number of power stations, including Origin’s Roma Power Station and Darling Downs Power Station near Dalby.
Our approach
Can you please provide more information on compensation?
We understand that our long-term success relies on building a strong, sustainable working relationship with the people whose properties we operate on. And compensating them fairly is an important part of that.
Compensation is ongoing, providing a continuous return during the life of our operations. It’s deemed “fair value” and above cropping value of land impacted. There is confidentiality of all agreements with landowners.
All landowners receive a dedicated on-the-ground Landowner Liaison Officer who is able to provide detail on their possible compensation package.