DOCSLIB.ORG

The Conceptual Model of Groundwater Flow in the Surat Basin 70

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Conceptual Model of Groundwater Flow in the Surat Basin 70 69 5.0 The conceptual model of groundwater flow in the Surat Basin 70 5.0 The conceptual model of groundwater flow in the Surat Basin # Department Condition Description Completion date Status Pre-Dec 2012 Post-Dec 2012 6 49b Completion and reporting on GEN3 model build April 2013 Submission of consolidated Surat Basin Hydrogeological Model and recalibration of GEN3 model. Commitment to ongoing model 9 49b 53B a October 2014 recalibration and reporting with annual report. Reporting of connectivity studies. Submission of Annual Report including (from October 2013) October 2013 and 50 49i reporting results of ongoing GEN3 model recalibration annually thereafter 59 53B e Development of springs conceptual models April 2015 Detailed baseline evaluation incorporating landholder and 61 49b April 2014 dedicated groundwater monitoring bores Commitments completed Evergreen Commitments Commitments work in progress Firm deliverables for that month 5.1 INTRODUCTION At the centre of QGC’s enhanced Surat Basin knowledge base is an advanced conceptual groundwater flow model. Now QGC is building a dual-phase (i.e. gas and water flows) GEN3 numerical model – a world’s first. Significant industry-wide work in recent years has refined our understanding of groundwater flows. This new modelling work will further refine the conceptual model in the lead up to major water abstraction from the Walloon Subgroup in 2014. This chapter presents the latest iteration of the conceptual groundwater flow model of the Surat Basin. It represents QGC's current understanding and will be progressed as more data are collected and interpreted. It is the starting point for the GEN3 numerical modelling which (described in Chapter 6) forms the basis for QGC undertaking its responsibilities for groundwater management. 5.2 PURPOSE OF A CONCEPTUAL MODEL Conceptual modelling is the procedure whereby available information is interpreted to produce an adequate description of a groundwater system. A conceptual model comprises an assemblage of justifiable, simplifying assumptions that summarise the principal characteristics of the real system so its behaviour may be more clearly understood. The model should be developed so that it represents the current consensus on system behaviour, whether this is informed by direct interpretation of published information with or without field and laboratory data, or whether further understanding has been extracted from these data by mathematical modelling. In most cases, the purpose of developing a conceptual model is to arrive at a sufficient understanding of the relationships between the principal characteristics of a system. Deductive and/or mathematical methods can then be used to evaluate possible outcomes of changes within the system for a range of feasible situations. 71 Great Artesian Basin and Surat Basin Town/City QCLNG Project Area Australian States Great Artesian Basin Surat Basin 0 100 200 300 400 500 Kilometers Figure 5-1 – Position of QCLNG tenements within the Surat Basin and the GAB Conceptual modelling should always precede any attempt to mathematically model a groundwater system. However, conceptual modelling does not necessarily have to be followed by mathematical modelling. Rather, development of a conceptual model is frequently an end in itself. It forms the basis for the majority of hydrogeological projects where the understanding of the groundwater system provided by the conceptual model allows informed decision-making and changes associated with new developments to be evaluated at a satisfactory level of accuracy. 5.3 GEOLOGICAL SETTING The QCLNG project area covers part of the Surat Basin, a broad intra-cratonic basin that spans an area of approximately 300,000 km2 in south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales. The basin forms part of the larger Great Artesian Basin (GAB) complex and is contiguous across basement ridges with the Eromanga Basin to the west and with the Clarence-Moreton Basin to the east. Figure 5-1 illustrates how the QCLNG tenements relate to the Surat Basin and GAB. The Surat Basin is generally considered to comprise an interbedded sequence of non-marine Jurassic strata overlain by a mixed non-marine and marine Early Cretaceous Sedimentary succession. Sedimentation in the basin was initiated in the Early Jurassic and resulted in deposition of the quartzose Precipice Sandstone. Throughout the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, several episodes of fluvial-lacustrine-coal swamp sedimentation occurred as the basin gently subsided. 72 The deposits of the Surat Basin are lateral equivalents to sediments in the Eromanga Basin further west. It has been proposed that a basement high between the basins formed an effective watershed dividing the two basins. Transgression during the Aptian resulted in a return to shallow marine conditions and deposition of the Wallumbilla Formation of the Rolling Downs Group – the first marine sequence deposited since the Permian. The Surat Basin was deposited over several distinct geological sequences and terranes. Throughout the central depocentre (Mimosa Syncline), the basin overlies sediments of the Permo-Triassic Bowen Basin, whereas, on the basin margins, the Surat sequence overlies crystalline basement (Ryan et al, 2012). 5.4 HYDROSTRATIGRAPHY The current accepted hydrostratigraphy of the Surat Basin is illustrated in Figure 5-2. Formations considered to be predominantly aquifers are the Cretaceous Sediments, Gubberamunda Sandstone, Springbok Sandstone, Hutton Sandstone and Precipice Sandstone. Formations considered to be predominantly aquitards are the Westbourne Formation, Eurombah Formation, Evergreen Formation and some basement rocks. The Walloon Subgroup and all 'aquifer' formations have both aquifer and aquitard characteristics. The sandstones within the Surat Basin and upper sandstones of the underlying Bowen Basin are aquifers of the GAB. The classical hydrostratigraphy adopts a 'layer cake' model for the GAB comprising a sequence of alternating layers of relatively high permeability sandstones and very low permeability siltstones and mudstones, which generally dip in a south-westerly direction. The thickness of the sedimentary sequence reaches nearly 2,500 m in the centre of the Mimosa Syncline (QWC, 2012). The individual sandstone, siltstone and mudstone formations range in thickness between less than 100 m to more than 600 m (QWC, 2012a). The main aquifers are considered to be regionally continuous, dominantly shallow dipping and layered between regionally continuous aquitards. Overlying some of the GAB units is an extensive cover of younger Quaternary unconsolidated alluvial sediments and Late Oligocene-Early Miocene volcanic deposits. These units contain significant aquifers but of localised extent (e.g. the Condamine Alluvium). Key details of the hydrostratigraphy are summarised in Table 5-1. QGC is currently undertaking a re-evaluation of the hydrostratigraphy of the Surat Basin based on groundwater flow characteristics rather than stratigraphic classification. 73 Period Epoch (W) Lithostratic units – Surat Basin (E) Hydrostratigraphy Late Griman Creek Formation Surat Siltstone Coreena Member Wallumba Formation CRETACEOUS Doncaster Member Early Bungal Formation Interbedded Aquifer/Aquitard Mooga Sandstone Orallo Formation Gubberamunda Sandstone Aquifer Late Westbourne Formation Aquitard Springbok Sandstone Aquifer Juanda Coal Measures Tangalooma Sandstone Productive Coal Seam Taroom Coal Measures Eurombah Formation Aquitard JURASSIC Middle Hutton Sandstone Aquifer Evergreen Formation Aquitard Early Precipice Sandstone Figure 5-2 – Hydrostratigraphy of the Surat Basin 74 Hydro- Typical Water Water stratigraphic Type Dominant lithology/s Nature of aquifer yield quality chemistry unit (L/s) (µs/cm3) Includes the Orallo Multiple discrete Formation, Mooga NaCl aquifers and Cretaceous Sandstone, Bungil dominated, Fresh- Aquifer aquitards, 0 – 35 Sediments Formation, Wallumbilla some brackish unconfined to Formation and Surat NaHCO confined 3 Siltstone amongst others Medium to coarse grained poorly sorted quartzose Confined, sub- Gubberamunda NaHCO Fresh- Aquifer sandstone interbedded with artesian unit; 6 – 40 3 Sandstone dominated brackish finer sandstone, siltstone artesian in south and shale Westbourne Interbedded shale, siltstone, Aquitard Confining unit Formation and fine grained sandstone Interbedded sandstone and Confined sub- carbonaceous siltstone, Broad Springbok artesian unit. Can 1,000 – Aquifer interbedded mudstone, 0.2 – 3 range NaCl Sandstone be artesian where 2,600 tuffs, and occasional thin to NaHCO topography is low 3 coal Confined sub- Mudstone, siltstone, fine- Walloon Productive artesian unit. Can 1,500 – grained low-permeability 0.2 – 3 Subgroup coal unit be artesian where 24,000 sandstone and coal topography is low. Sandstone, siltstone and Eurombah Aquitard mudstone with rare thin Confining unit Formation coal Cross-bedded, quartzose to sub-labile porous Sub-artesian in and permeable, fluvial areas of higher Hutton sandstone with minor NaHCO 500 – Aquifer elevation. Confined 1 – 20 3 Sandstone thin conglomerate beds, dominated 4,000 artesian unit interbedded clay-rich and elsewhere. carbonaceous silts and thin beds of mudstone Mainly Thinly bedded mudstone, Evergreen NaHCO Aquitard carbonaceous mudstone, Confining unit 3 Formation with some siltstone and sandstone NaCl Mainly Sub-artesian in NaHCO3 Fine to coarse grained, areas of higher with some Precipice 500 – Aquifer porous and permeable, elevation. Confined 1 – 30
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Novel Model to Estimate the Impact of Coal Seam Gas Extraction on Agro-Economic Returns
    Land Use Policy 59 (2016) 351–365 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Land Use Policy journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/landusepol A novel model to estimate the impact of Coal Seam Gas extraction on agro-economic returns ∗ O. Marinoni , J. Navarro Garcia CSIRO Land and Water, Brisbane Qld 4001, Australia a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t Article history: There is an ever growing demand for energy worldwide and the demand for gas alone is predicted to Received 1 February 2016 double between 2010 and 2035. This demand together with concurrent advances in drilling technologies Received in revised form 11 July 2016 caused the production of unconventional natural gas such as shale gas and coal seam gas (CSG), which is Accepted 23 August 2016 in the focus of this paper, to grow rapidly in the last decades. With the gas bearing coal seams extending across vast areas within their respective basins and with CSG production having to follow these seams Keywords: through a network of production wells, pipelines and access roads, CSG activity affects large areas and Coal seam gas therefore interferes with existing land uses, predominantly agriculture. For the eastern Australian Surat Agro-economic returns GIS Basin and the southern Bowen Basin alone there are projected well numbers in excess of 15,000 to 20,000 between the years 2020 and 2030. The interference of CSG with agriculture on a large scale has raised Spatial analysis Impact analysis concerns about the impact of CSG on farmland, food security, water resources and the socio-economic environment within the affected regions and beyond.
    [Show full text]
  • Surat Basin Non-Resident Population Projections, 2021 to 2025
    Queensland Government Statistician’s Office Surat Basin non–resident population projections, 2021 to 2025 Introduction The resource sector in regional Queensland utilises fly-in/fly-out Figure 1 Surat Basin region and drive-in/drive-out (FIFO/DIDO) workers as a source of labour supply. These non-resident workers live in the regions only while on-shift (refer to Notes, page 9). The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) official population estimates and the Queensland Government’s population projections for these areas only include residents. To support planning for population change, the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO) publishes annual non–resident population estimates and projections for selected resource regions. This report provides a range of non–resident population projections for local government areas (LGAs) in the Surat Basin region (Figure 1), from 2021 to 2025. The projection series represent the projected non-resident populations associated with existing resource operations and future projects in the region. Projects are categorised according to their standing in the approvals pipeline, including stages of In this publication, the Surat Basin region is defined as the environmental impact statement (EIS) process, and the local government areas (LGAs) of Maranoa (R), progress towards achieving financial close. Series A is based Western Downs (R) and Toowoomba (R). on existing operations, projects under construction and approved projects that have reached financial close. Series B, C and D projections are based on projects that are at earlier stages of the approvals process. Projections in this report are derived from surveys conducted by QGSO and other sources. Data tables to supplement the report are available on the QGSO website (www.qgso.qld.gov.au).
    [Show full text]
  • And Early Jurassic Sediments, and Patterns of the Triassic-Jurassic
    and Early Jurassic sediments, and patterns of the Triassic-Jurassic PAUL E. OLSEN AND tetrapod transition HANS-DIETER SUES Introduction parent answer was that the supposed mass extinc- The Late Triassic-Early Jurassic boundary is fre- tions in the tetrapod record were largely an artifact quently cited as one of the thirteen or so episodes of incorrect or questionable biostratigraphic corre- of major extinctions that punctuate Phanerozoic his- lations. On reexamining the problem, we have come tory (Colbert 1958; Newell 1967; Hallam 1981; Raup to realize that the kinds of patterns revealed by look- and Sepkoski 1982, 1984). These times of apparent ing at the change in taxonomic composition through decimation stand out as one class of the great events time also profoundly depend on the taxonomic levels in the history of life. and the sampling intervals examined. We address Renewed interest in the pattern of mass ex- those problems in this chapter. We have now found tinctions through time has stimulated novel and com- that there does indeed appear to be some sort of prehensive attempts to relate these patterns to other extinction event, but it cannot be examined at the terrestrial and extraterrestrial phenomena (see usual coarse levels of resolution. It requires new fine- Chapter 24). The Triassic-Jurassic boundary takes scaled documentation of specific faunal and floral on special significance in this light. First, the faunal transitions. transitions have been cited as even greater in mag- Stratigraphic correlation of geographically dis- nitude than those of the Cretaceous or the Permian junct rocks and assemblages predetermines our per- (Colbert 1958; Hallam 1981; see also Chapter 24).
    [Show full text]
  • Abstract: Late Triassic ('Rhaetian') and Jurassic Palynostratigraphy of The
    172 LATE TRIASSIC ('RHAETIAN') AND JURASSIC PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE SURAT BASIN J.L. McKellar Geological Survey of Queensland, GPO Box 194, Brisbane, 4001 BIOGRAPHY John McKellar joined the Geological Survey of Queensland in 1968. Since obtaining his B.Sc. from the University of Queensland in 1971, he has worked at the Survey as a palynologist where he has been involved with studies of various Late Palaeozoic to Mesozoic basins in Queensland. Currently, his main interests lie in the taxonomy and biostratigraphy of spore-pollen floras from the Jurassic of the Surat Basin. Data c~er i ved from this research project are also being used to provide the basis for a Ph.D. thesis at the University of Queensland~ His work in the Jurassic is soon to be extended into the Eromanga Basin in order to service the stratigraphic drilling programme presently being undertaken there by the Survey. SUl'vi~1ARY In the Jurassic of eastern Australia, the principal palynological zonation in use is that devised by Evans (1963, 1966). This scheme, which was based primarily on data derived from the Surat and Eromanga Basins, has been var• iously modified (eg. Burger, 1968; Burger & Senior, 1979) as new distribu• tion data have become available. In the Surat Basin, the development of a more formal zonation has been limited to the Early Jurassic with the work of Reiser & Williams (1969). However, the zonations of de .Jersey (1975, 1976), which are developed mainly for the sequence in the lower part of the Moreton Basin, also have application in the basal succession (Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation) of the Surat Basin.
    [Show full text]
  • Petroleum Plays of the Bowen and Surat Basins
    Petroleum Plays of the Bowen and Surat basins Alison Troup* Neal Longdon Justin Gorton Geological Survey of Queensland Geological Survey of Queensland Geological Survey of Queensland Level 3, 1 William Street, Brisbane Level 3, 1 William Street, Brisbane Level 3, 1 William Street, Brisbane QLD, 4000 QLD, 4000 QLD, 4000 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] *presenting author asterisked SUMMARY The plays of the Bowen and Surat basins consist of conventional structural plays along major regional structures and depositional platforms, most of which have some stratigraphic component. These can be subdivided into three main regions: the eastern and western flanks of the Taroom Trough, and the Denison Trough. Coal seam gas is found in fairway zones within the Permian coals of the Bowen Basin, which can be subdivided into two main fairways: structurally associated plays in the southern Bowen Basin, and a tighter play in the northern Bowen Basin. Coal seam gas is also found along a broad fairway in the Walloon Coal Measures of the Surat Basin. Recent exploration for new targets has highlighted potential for tight gas in the deeper sections of the Bowen Basin, though further evaluation is required. More speculative plays within the region include tight gas within potential, but untested targets in the deeper sections of the Denison Trough. Key words: petroleum, petroleum exploration, Queensland, Bowen Basin, Surat Basin INTRODUCTION A petroleum play is an exploration concept that groups fields together based on similar characteristics, generally lithological or structural, that can be applied at regional or local scales.
    [Show full text]
  • Macquarie University Researchonline
    MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY HIGHER DEGREE THESIS (PhD) AUTHOR’S CONSENT This is to certify that I, . being a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy am aware o f the policy o f the University relating to the retention and use o f higher degree theses as contained in the University’s PhD Regulations generally, and in particular, Regulation 21(2). In the light o f this policy and the provisions o f the above Regulations, I agree to allow a copy of my thesis to be deposited in the University Library for consultation, loan and photocopying forthwith. Signature of Witness Signature o f Candidate Dated this 19 8*1 The Academic Senate on 28 November 1989 resolved that the candidate had satisfied requirements for admission to this degree. This thesis represents a major part o f the prescribed program o f study. Q£ lhi( -if . f ^ r PETROLOGY, DIAGENESIS, AMD RESERVOIR POTENTIAL OF THE SURAT BASIN SANDSTONES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION by Hanif M. Hawlader, M.Sc (Hons) (Moscow) School of Earth Sciences Macquarie University A thesis submitted to Macquarie University in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I hereby certify that the work in this thesis is original, except where acknowledged in the customary manner, and has not been submitted for a higher degree to any other University or Institution. M. 34 H. M. Hawlader March, 1989. CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT XViii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS xxi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY 2 GEOLOGIC SETTING 7 STRATIGRAPHY
    [Show full text]
  • The Geology of NSW
    The Geology of NSW The geological characteristics and history of NSW with a focus on coal seam gas (CSG) resources A report commissioned for the NSW Chief Scientist’s Office, May, 2013. Authors: Dr Craig O’Neill1, [email protected] Dr Cara Danis1, [email protected] 1Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109. Contents A brief glossary of terms i 1. Introduction 01 2. Scope 02 3. A brief history of NSW Geology 04 4. Evolution of the Sydney­Gunnedah­Bowen Basin System 16 5. Sydney Basin 19 6. Gunnedah Basin 31 7. Bowen Basin 40 8. Surat Basin 51 9. Clarence­Moreton Basin 60 10. Gloucester Basin 70 11. Murray Basin 77 12. Oaklands Basin 84 13. NSW Hydrogeology 92 14. Seismicity and stress in NSW 108 15. Summary and Synthesis 113 ii A brief Glossary of Terms The following constitutes a brief, but by no means comprehensive, compilation of some of the terms used in this review that may not be clear to a non‐geologist reader. Many others are explained within the text. Tectono­thermal: The involvement of either (or both) tectonics (the large‐scale movement of the Earth’s crust and lithosphere), and geothermal activity (heating or cooling the crust). Orogenic: pertaining to an orogen, ie. a mountain belt. Associated with a collisional or mountain‐building event. Ma: Mega‐annum, or one million years. Conventionally associated with an age in geochronology (ie. million years before present). Epicratonic: “on the craton”, pertaining to being on a large, stable landmass (eg.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix D Surat Basin Geological Model Surat Basin Stratigraphic Framework April 2012
    Appendix D Surat Basin geological model Surat Basin Stratigraphic Framework April 2012 Surat Basin Stratigraphic Framework April 2012 – Surat Basin Stratigraphic Framework April 2012 Table of Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1. Area of Interest ....................................................................................................................... 8 2.2. Datasets .................................................................................................................................. 8 2.3. Geological Modelling ............................................................................................................ 10 3. Regional Structure ........................................................................................................................ 12 4. Geological Descriptions ................................................................................................................. 17 4.1. Base Jurassic Unconformity .................................................................................................. 17 4.2. Precipice Sandstone .............................................................................................................. 17 4.3. Evergreen Formation ...........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Darling Downs
    Darling Downs Economic and Infrastructure Framework Background Paper June 2013 NOT GOVERNMENT POLICY The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning leads a coordinated Queensland Government approach to planning, infrastructure and development across the state. © State of Queensland. Published by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, June 2013, 100 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4000. The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of information. However, copyright protects this publication. The State of Queensland has no objection to this material being reproduced, made available online or electronically but only if it is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered. Copyright enquiries about this publication should be directed to the department’s Legal Services division via email [email protected] or in writing to PO Box 15009, City East, Queensland 4002. The Queensland Government is committed to providing accessible services to Queenslanders of all cultural and linguistic backgrounds. If you have difficulty understanding this publication and need a translator, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning on 07 3227 8548. Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in preparing this publication, the State of Queensland accepts no responsibility for decisions or actions taken as a result of
    [Show full text]
  • Queensland's Petroleum & Gas Industry Snapshot
    Queensland’s Petroleum & Gas Industry Snapshot May 2018 gasfieldscommissionqld.org.au Disclaimer This Queensland Petroleum and Gas Industry Snapshot is distributed by the GasFields Commission Queensland as an information source only. It provides general information which, to the best of our knowledge, is correct as at the time of publishing. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The GasFields Commission Queensland shall not be liable for technical or other errors or omissions contained herein. The reader accepts all risks and responsibility for losses, damages, costs and other consequences resulting directly or indirectly from using this information. The information contained in this document does not constitute advice and should not be relied on as such. While every care has been taken in preparing this document, the GasFields Commission Queensland accepts no responsibility for decisions or actions taken as a result of any data, information, statement or advice, expressed or implied, contained within. Where appropriate, independent legal advice should be sought. © 2018 GasFields Commission Queensland SCOPE OF THIS SNAPSHOT One of the key functions of the GasFields Commission Queensland is to obtain and publish information that can assist in improving knowledge and understanding about the petroleum and gas industry, including its interactions with rural landholders and regional communities. This snapshot reports on the current state of the petroleum and gas industry in Queensland, illustrating industry development trends, groundwater management and the economic contributions to regional communities and the state of Queensland. IndustryQUEENSLAND’S fast facts RURAL INDUSTRIES Agricultural industries Petroleum and gas industry • Queensland has the highest proportion of land area in Australia dedicated • Queensland’s first gas field was discovered in Roma in 1900.
    [Show full text]
  • BOWEN and SURAT BASINS, Clarence-Moreton Basin, Sydney Basin, Gunnedah Basin and Other Minor Onshore Basins, Qld, NSW and NT
    Department of Primary Industries and Energy Bureau of Resource Sciences Australian Petroleum Accumulations Report 11 BOWEN AND SURAT BASINS, Clarence-Moreton Basin, Sydney Basin, Gunnedah Basin and other minor onshore basins, Qld, NSW and NT S.J. Cadman, L. Pain and V. Vuckovic Petroleum Resources Branch 1998 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia, 1998. This work is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior written permission of the Executive Director, Bureau of Resource Sciences. Inquiries should be directed to the Principal Review Scientist, Bureau of Resource Sciences , P.O. Box E11, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia. ISBN 0 642 26867 3 ISSN 0817-9263 The Bureau of Resource Sciences is a professionally independent bureau within the Department of Primary Industries and Energy. It was established in October 1992 and was formed from the former Bureau of Rural Resources and the resource assessment branches of the former Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics. The Bureau’s role is to support the sustainable development of Australia’s agricultural, mineral, petroleum, forestry and fisheries industries by providing scientific and technical advice to governments, industry and the community. Preferred way to cite this publication : Cadman, S.J. and Pain, L., (1998) Bowen and Surat Basins, Clarence-Moreton Basin, Gunnedah Basin, and other minor onshore basins, Queensland, NSW and NT. Australian Petroleum Accumulations Report 11, Bureau of Resource Sciences, Canberra. Cover : View looking north from Horseshoe Lookout, Blackdown Tableland, central Bowen Basin.
    [Show full text]
  • Areas of Environmental Value and Coal Seam Gas in the Surat Basin
    Factsheet AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE Vs 1 - 14 Feb 20 AND COAL SEAM GAS IN THE SURAT BASIN Background This factsheet looks at wetlands and plant communities that rely on surface and sub-surface water in the Surat Basin. The Queensland Herbarium calls these ‘Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems’. It has described and mapped them. They are protected by the Environmental Protection Act (1994). Many are at risk from unconventional gas. The ‘Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment’ combined the Herbarium maps with its geological maps and identified the ones at risk from water extraction in Coal Seam Gas bores. See ‘Underground Water Impact Report 2019’ (UWIR)(1). Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems at risk (GDEs) These plant communities can be very susceptible to permanent lowering of the water tables that they depend on. They occur around springs, in visible soaks and where water is only just below the surface. The Ecosystems differ considerably depending on soil types, surface or subsurface water, and on depth of the water below ground level. In the Surat Basin GDEs occur on a range of geological formations. UWIR 2019 states that GDE’s at risk are primarily associated with the Walloon Coal Measures. Map 10.2 shows that most areas at risk are south east of Wondoan, with many more that are sprinkled in an arc from Cecil Plains past Wondoan, halfway to Injune. The report shows locations only. It provides no list of individual GDEs at risk, no details and no coordinates. (Such coordinates are available for springs and bores.) Field verification of individual GDEs is difficult when there are no coordinates.
    [Show full text]