CSG Net - A New Approach to
Monitoring Impacts of the Coal
Seam Gas Industry on Groundwater
Ross Carruthers
Coal Seam Gas Compliance Unit
Coal Seam Gas development in Queensland
Coal Seam Gas development in Queensland
Coal Seam Gas development in Queensland
DNRM
Coal Seam Gas Compliance Unit
Engagement Team
Groundwater Investigation and Assessment Team (GIAT)
Other Work Units
Water Licensing
Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate
Etc
Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment
GIAT Responsibilities
• Groundwater investigations of potentially impaired bores
• Implement and report on an independent monitoring
program
• Audit water monitoring bore
construction, well completion
reports for water monitoring bores
and water sampling procedures
• Engagement with industry and
community stakeholders on CSG
development and impacts
Implement and Report on DNRM’s Independent
Bore Monitoring Program
Learnings from Bore Investigations to date
• No bore problems to date have been as a result of CSG
• Landholders have little understanding of their bores and in particular
historical and current groundwater levels
• Biggest asset on their properties is the least understood
• Little landholder knowledge of CSG exploration / development /
likely impacts
• Often only source of information is over the fence discussions or
media articles
Old War Story
Volumetric Conversion Project – SE South Australia
• Conversion of existing area
based water licenses to
volumetric entitlements
• Provided incentives for
landholders to install meters
and collect water use data.
• Annual water use returns
where landholders calculated
volumes pumped.
Comparison Between Calculated and Metered Data
Benefits in Involving the Community
CSGNet
• Proactive program
• Landholders collecting data from their bores
• Provide current information on CSG
development and monitoring
• Inform landholders on local hydrogeology
and bore information
• Collect, store and report back
• Provide annual forum for sharing information
Transparency
Involvement
Trust
CSG Net
CSG Net
Local CSGNet Steering Committee
Pilot CSGNet Workshop
WHAT DO WE WANT TO MEASURE & RECORD
Artesian bore
• The Static Head
• If possible the bore should be shut off for at least
12 hours and a reading taken and recorded.
Sub-artesian bore
• The Standing Water Level
• If possible the pump should be shut off for at least
12 hours and a reading taken and recorded.
HOW CAN WE DO THIS ?
• Accurately
• Easily
• Economically
Airline & Pressure
gauge setup.
Involving Pump Suppliers / Installers
• Pump companies important conduit to landholders
• Local suppliers invited to CSG Net workshops
• Airline kit giveaways as ‘incentives’
• Encourage landholders to install airlines whenever
undertaking pump maintenance activities
• Will be holding regular workshops with suppliers to
provide support and share information & methods
Benefits
• Landholders empowered to monitor their own bores
and ‘own’ data
• Improved understanding of CSG industry,
groundwater systems and their bores
• Early warning of any CSG impacts on bores
• Change the bore monitoring paradigm to a ‘must do’
• Flow-on benefits to the Pump Supply and
Maintenance industry.
Involve Landholders or Risk the Consequences