Executive summary
The coal and coal seam gas resource assessment for the Maranoa-Balonne-Condamine subregion summarises the known coal and coal seam gas resources and developments as at October 2014.
The information found in this product is used to develop the coal resource development pathway for the subregion.
Coal and coal seam gas resources
The Maranoa-Balonne-Condamine subregion is underlain by the geological Clarence-Moreton, Surat and Bowen basins. Coal is mined in both the Clarence-Moreton and the Surat basins. Economic coal deposits in the Bowen Basin are north of the subregion and are not part of this assessment.
Across the subregion the thickest coal resources occur within the Walloon Coal Measures near the areas of Macalister, Brigalow and Chinchilla. Economic coal occurs up to 120 metres below the surface.
Coal seams of the Walloon Coal Measures of the southern Surat Basin are being targeted for coal seam gas production. However, in the most north-western part and the eastern part of the subregion no significant volumes of coal seam gas are expected to be present in the Surat Basin. In these areas the coals are very shallow and gas has already been lost from the system.
Current activity and tenements
As at October 2014 four coal mines were operational in the Maranoa-Balonne-Condamine subregion. All these mines are in the east of the subregion.
Coal seam gas production also occurs in the Walloon Coal Measures of the Surat Basin. Field production of coal seam gas has escalated recently due to the construction of three large-scale liquefied natural gas projects on Curtis Island near Gladstone. Part of the gas to be supplied to these liquefied natural gas projects will be sourced from the Walloon Coal Measures in this subregion.
Proposals and exploration
As at October 2014 there were five coal mine proposals in the subregion; three new mines and two expansion projects. Coal exploration is largely in the north-west, north and east of the subregion.
There were approximately 190 exploration permits for coal granted in the subregion.
Several coal seam gas projects were under construction within the subregion to supply gas to three large-scale liquefied natural gas projects on Curtis Island.
Proposed coal seam gas developments in the subregion include the Surat Gas Project, the Gladstone Liquefied Natural Gas Field Development Project and the Ironbark Project.
