Preliminary assessment of cumulative drawdown impacts in the Surat Basin associated with the coal seam gas industry: investigation of parameters and features for a regional model of Surat Basin Coal Seam Gas developments

Preliminary assessment of cumulative drawdown impacts in the Surat Basin associated with the coal seam gas industry: investigation of parameters and features for a regional model of Surat Basin Coal Seam Gas developments

During 2010, the four major CSG companies operating in the Surat Basin identified that there was significant community concern regarding the cumulative groundwater impacts of CSG
operations in this area. In an industry first, these companies agreed to pool their resources to review the approaches taken to the individual assessments, and provide a preliminary independent assessment of cumulative groundwater impacts associated with CSG operations.
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) was commissioned in September 2010 to manage this study, with RPS Aquaterra engaged to undertake the independent assessment of cumulative impacts, based on information from published impact assessment reports and other information made available to USQ and RPS Aquaterra by the four CSG companies to undertake the study. The overarching aim was to collate and present the existing groundwater modelling data to provide both the Government and the public with a greater level of understanding and confidence regarding the cumulative groundwater impacts from the development of CSG
projects within the Surat Basin. This preliminary study was designed to provide a first estimate of impacts based on existing modelling.

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