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- 1.2 Resource assessment for the Namoi subregion
- 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 |
||
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 |
|
Watermark |
Shenhua Watermark |
150.375° |
–31.247° |
|
Coking and Thermal Coal |
268e |
EIS submitted |
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.

Product Finalisation date
- 1.2.1 Available coal and coal seam gas resources
- 1.2.2 Current activity and tenements
- 1.2.3 Proposals and exploration
- 1.2.4 Catalogue of potential resource developments
- Citation
- Acknowledgements
- Contributors to the Technical Programme
- About this technical product