AGL Energy welcomes report on coalbed methane

AGL Energy Ltd has welcomed the release of the New South Wales (NSW) Chief Scientist and Engineer’s report on coalbed methane (CBM) activities.

The report stressed that the risks associated with CBM could be managed, and that CBM extraction was no more dangerous than any other extractive industry.

“The Chief Scientist’s report confirms that with appropriate safeguards and controls, natural gas from coal seams can be safely extracted to supply homes and businesses across NSW,” said AGL Head of Land & Approvals, Upstream Gas, Suzanne Westgate.

“AGL has a 175 year history providing energy to Australians and for the past 13 years our Camden Gas Project has been operating safely alongside communities, agriculture and other land uses, and provides 5% of NSW’s gas demand. In Gloucester, we are working to further secure the state’s energy future and produce NSW gas for NSW customers,” Westgate added.

AGL’s Camden and Gloucester projects have the potential to provide 20% of the Australian state’s gas needs.

“AGL values the independent review by the Chief Scientist and acknowledges the need for best practice to ensure natural gas can be produced safely and sustainably across NSW. The report acknowledges that the [CBM] industry, like many industries, has technical challenges and risks, however those risks can be managed through best practice,” said Westgate.

The Chief Scientist has made 16 recommendations, including the need for comprehensive monitoring of CBM operations. AGL said in a statement that it supports these recommendations and already has 45 water monitoring bores in the Gloucester Basin and 11 dedicated ground water monitoring bores at Camden.

Written by Sam Dodson

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/cbm/03102014/industry-welcomes-report-on-cbm-cbm119/