1.2.4 Catalogue of potential resource developments


Summary

Potential coal resource developments in the Namoi subregion are concentrated around areas of current coal mining in the central part of the subregion.

Proposed development of coal seam gas (CSG) resources is concentrated in the Narrabri area and includes the Narrabri Gas Project, which may incorporate the Bibblewindi and Dewhurst pilot testing wells, and the Kahlua and Glasserton pilot testing wells.

There are five potential new mines (Maules Creek, Vickery, Watermark, Caroona and Goonbri) and two expansion projects (Tarrawonga and Boggabri). Of these projects, four have recently been given approval to operate (Maules Creek, Vickery, Tarrawonga Extension and Boggabri Extension), one is in the late stage of assessment (Watermark) and one is at an early stage of assessment (Caroona). Goonbri is currently in the exploration stage. The larger proposed developments (Watermark and Caroona) are located in the south-east of the subregion, to the west of the Werris Creek Mine (see Figure 9). There are a number of designated mining leases and consolidated coal leases in the Namoi subregion (see Table 6) and while there is little information available for these leases, they are also included as potential developments given their lease status.

Proposed development of CSG resources is concentrated in the Narrabri area where Santos Ltd has recently submitted a Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA). In preparation for developing the Narrabri CSG reserves, Santos has also proposed expansions to its Bibblewindi and Dewhurst gas exploration pilots, as well as a third modification to the Narrabri Coal Seam Gas Utilisation Project under the Energy NSW CSG Exploration and Appraisal Program.

Table 6 and Table 7 list potential developments with locations, resource figures and development status. Locations of the projects in relation to current coal mines are shown in Figure 9. Resources for coal are consistent (where possible) with the Joint Ore Reserve Committee (JORC) Code and include measured, indicated and inferred resources (inclusive of any reserves). CSG resources are reported as proved plus probable reserves (2P) using the Petroleum Resource Management System (PRMS). Information in the tables is derived from the OZMIN National Mineral Deposits Database (Geoscience Australia, 2013). Resource figures presented in Table 7 have been updated using information available from Santos (2014b).

Table 6 Catalogue of potential coal resource developments in the Namoi subregion (see Figure 9)


Project name

Company

Longitude

Latitude

Record datea

Materialb

Total coal resources (Mt)c

Status of EISd

Notes

Boggabri Extension

Idemitsu

150.08° (approx.)

–30.37° (approx.)

Thermal coal

90

EIS submitted

Project has been approved. Deposit includes ML 1685 and MLA 0464

Caroona

BHP Billiton

150.4346°

–31.3985°

Thermal Coal

260e

EIS in preparation

BHP Billiton (2012)

CCL 711

Curlewis Coal and Coke

150.2143°

–31.0933°

Pre-EIS

Part of the Preston Extended deposit

Goonbri EL 7435

Goonbri Coal

150.12° (approx.)

–30.37° (approx.)

Pre-EIS

Goonbri deposit is not in OZMIN database

Gunnedah CCL 701

Whitehaven Coal

150.141°

–31.0187°

24 Aug 2012

Coking and Thermal Coal

153

Pre-EIS

Gunnedah EL 5183

Whitehaven Coal

150.0838°

–30.9779°

24 Aug 2012

Coking and Thermal Coal

39.4

Pre-EIS

Maules Creek

CL 375 and (A) 346a

Whitehaven Coal, ICRA, J Power

150.02° (approx.)

–30.35° (approx.)

Coking and thermal coal

610

EIS submitted

Project has been approved. Deposit includes CL 375, MLA 0404 and MLA 0453

ML 1471

Whitehaven Coal

150.1729°

–30.7385°

Pre-EIS

Part of the Canyon deposit

ML 1662

Whitehaven Coal

150.2758°

–30.7415°

Pre-EIS

Part of the Rocglen deposit

ML 1671 and ML 1672

Werris Creek Coal

150.62° (approx.)

–31.38° (approx.)

Pre-EIS

Part of the Werris Creek deposit

Tarrawonga Extension ML 1579

Whitehaven Coal and Idemitsu

150.10° (approx.)

–30.38° (approx.)

Thermal coal

78

EIS submitted

Project has been approved. Deposit includes ML 1693

Vickery

Whitehaven Coal

150.12° (approx.)

–30.46° (approx.)

Coking and Thermal Coal

507

EIS submitted

Resource Strategies (2012). Deposit includes CL 316 and MLA 0447

Vickery South

Whitehaven Coal

150.194°

–30.794°

24 Aug 2012

Coking and Thermal Coal

111.15

Pre-EIS

Whitehaven Coal (2014a)

Watermark

Shenhua Watermark

150.375°

–31.247°

Coking and Thermal Coal

268e

EIS submitted

Shenhua Watermark Coal (2013)

A = authorisation; CL = coal lease; CCL = consolidated coal lease; EL = exploration licence; ML = mining lease; MLA = mining lease application

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

bMaterials fall into one of the following four classes: thermal coal, coking coal, pulverised coal injection (PCI) and unspecified.

cThis is calculated by summing the resources with Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) codes of measured, indicated and inferred.

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

eFrom EIS, see Notes column for relevant reference

Full company names are: Curlewis Coal and Coke Pty Limited (Curlewis Coal and Coke), Goonbri Coal Company Pty Limited (Goonbri Coal), ICRA Limited (ICRA), Idemitsu Australia Resources Pty Ltd (Idemitsu), J Power Electric Power Development Co., Ltd (J Power), Werris Creek Coal Pty Limited (Werris Creek Coal), Whitehaven Coal Limited (Whitehaven Coal)

Table 7 Catalogue of potential coal seam gas resource developments in the Namoi subregion


Project name

Company

Longitude

Latitude

Record datea

2P coal seam gas reservesb (PJ)

Status of EISc

Notes

Bibblewindi Gas Exploration Pilot wells

Santos Ltd

149.62° to 149.64° (approx.)

–30.62° to –30.66° (approx.)

Pilot testing

Any proposal to convert the pilot wells into production wells will be included in the Narrabri Gas Project

Dewhurst Gas Exploration Pilot wells

Santos Ltd

149.65° to 149.75° (approx.)

–30.54° to –30.70° (approx.)

Pilot testing

Any proposal to convert the pilot wells into production wells will be included in the Narrabri Gas Project

Kahlua and Glasserton

Santos Ltd

150.19° to 150.00 ° (approx.)

–31.21° to –30.58° (approx.)

Pilot testing

No further activities proposed

Narrabri Gas Project

Santos Ltd

149.85° to 149.47° (approx.)

–30.3° to –30.7° (approx.)

31 Dec 2013

196

Pre-EIS

Preliminary Environmental Assessment submitted (GHD, 2014), Santos awaiting Director Generals Requirements for EIS

EIS = environmental impact statement

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

bThe Petroleum Resource Management System of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (PRMS-SPE) code 2P refers to estimated quantities of proved reserves plus probable reserves.

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

Last updated:
10 January 2019
Thumbnail of the Namoi subregion

Product Finalisation date

2014

ASSESSMENT