1.2.1 Available coal and coal seam gas resources

Summary

The Gloucester subregion is underlain by the geological Gloucester Basin which is the focus of this Section 1.2.1. The oldest coal measures are in the Alum Mountain Volcanics and are followed by coals in the Dewrang Group, the Avon and Craven subgroups. Coal occurrence in each of these four major geological units is documented.

Reserves of 83.6 Mt and in situ resources of 357.9 Mt of coal have been reported for the Gloucester Basin in 2012.

Numerous conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon occurrences have been reported in the Gloucester Basin. Gas hydrocarbons, mainly methane (CH₄) with traces of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrogen (N₂) have been identified, encouraging more recent exploration efforts by coal seam gas (CSG) operators. AGL Energy Limited (AGL; known as the Australian Gas Light Company prior to October 2006) in their Annual Report (AGL Energy Limited, 2013) cite proved and probable (2P) CSG reserves of 454 PJ within those areas of the Gloucester Basin investigated by AGL Energy Limited up to the end of 2013.