How does coal seam gas affect the environment?

Possible environmental effects: environmental groups have raised concerns that CSG development might cause environmental damage through release of untreated production water at the surface; damage to, and contamination of underground aquifers by hydraulic fracturing; damage to wildlife habitat in sensitive areas and …

What are the advantages of coal seam gas?

Natural gas extracted from coal seams can offer a number of benefits as an energy source: natural gas typically burns more efficiently than coal or oil and can emit less greenhouse gas at the points of extraction and combustion.

Is CSG fracking?

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt says a new CSIRO report into the impact on the environment from fracking should pave the way for further investment in gas exploration and development across Australia.

What is the difference between CSG and shale gas?

However, when it comes to extraction and production CSG and shale gas can be quite different. For example, CSG can be found up to about 1000 meters underground, whereas shale gas is found much deeper, usually 1500 to 4000 meters below the surface.

What is CSG water?

To produce coal seam gas (CSG), wells are drilled into underground coal seams, bringing water (CSG water) from the seams to the surface. This process reduces pressure in the seams which allows CSG to be released.

Is coal seam gas and natural gas the same?

What is coal seam gas (CSG)? Coal seam gas, or coal bed methane (CBM, is a form of natural gas, typically extracted from coal seams at depths of 300-1000 metres. It is a colourless, odourless, non-toxic mixture of a number of gases but mostly made up of methane (generally 95-97 per cent pure methane).

Is coal seam gas a natural gas?

Coal seam gas is natural gas found in coal deposits, typically 300-600 metres underground. During the formation of coal, large quantities of gas are generated and stored within the coal on internal surfaces.