The state government of New South Wales (NSW) has said it will closely monitor the coalbed methane (CBM) project in Gloucester, which is operated by AGL Energy.
AGL has already begun drilling pilot CBM wells in coal seams at the company’s Waukivory site, just outside the township of Gloucester.
The Waukivory project was approved in August, and the NSW state’s Office of Coal Seam Gas (OCSG) has found it to be compliant with all of its conditions.
The Resources Minister, Anthony Roberts, has recently rebuffed claims by eco-activists that the CBM project is in breach of exploration license conditions.
The minister’s office said no breaches have been found.
However, the OCSG and Environment Protection Authority have said they will carry out regular inspections of the CBM site.
The authorities have the power to sample the hydraulic fracturing fluid used during drilling at any time.
Written by Sam Dodson