1.2.4.2 Potential coal seam gas projects

As previously outlined, coal seam gas exploration had begun in the Gippsland Basin bioregion prior to a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing and new coal seam gas licences in Victoria in August 2012. Drilling for gas is not allowed under the moratorium. Ignite Energy Resources planned to test the Traralgon Formation brown coals within the Seaspray Depression for biogenic natural gas (Table 13).

Table 13 Potential coal seam gas resource developments in the Gippsland Basin bioregion

^aThe record date is the most recent date for updated coal seam gas resource numbers.

^bThe Petroleum Resource Management System (Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2007) a 2C resource is a contingent resource: a volume that may be commercially recoverable once certain contingencies are satisfied.

^cThe status of the project within an environmental impact statement (EES): pre-EES, EES in preparation, EES submitted, EES closed, supplementary EES and EES approved.