Sustainable enhancement of coal seam gas production in Queensland
Sustainable enhancement of coal seam gas production in Queensland
This project focusses on the sustainable enhancement of coal seam gas production in Queensland.
The research could open up access to large volumes of natural gas that up until now has been too expensive to access. This abundant resource has remained untapped, with current extraction technologies not able to cost effectively access natural gas from areas where the coal structure is too ‘tight’ to allow gas flow to the well.
This project focusses on developing an innovative new technique for enhancing the gas transport and productivity in these coals via the exploitation of natural coal fractures and the novel injection of inert microparticles. This has the potential to reduce both the need for hydraulic fracturing and the associated water requirements, and liberate gas that can be used for domestic consumption or directed to the multi-billion-dollar LNG export industry.
Project leader, Dr Leonardi, a senior lecturer with UQ’s School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering has been awarded a Queensland Government Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship to complete this project.
He will be spending a proportion of his time embedded within Origin Energy throughout the fellowship. This presents a valuable opportunity to gain a detailed understanding of the company’s operational processes and the input of industry experts, and assist the translation of outcomes.
The Queensland Government Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships program supports scientists to undertake innovative research that can have a positive impact on Queensland.
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