Arrow Energy environmental authority amendment application (EA0001401) (A-EA-AMD-100138467)

Project overview

Current stage

Proponent (applicant)

  • Arrow CSG (Australia) Pty Ltd

Application type

  • Existing environmental authority (EA) amendment application
  • Existing EA: EA0001401

Application received

  • 6 October 2021

Primary activity

  • Petroleum and gas
Arial map view showing location of the Arrow Energy environmental authority major amendment application.Open larger image

Location of the Arrow Energy environmental authority major amendment application.

Location

  • Chinchilla area

Local government area

  • Western Downs Regional Council

Application summary

The previous environmental authority (EA) authorised 6 wells and associated activities.

The amendment application sought to increase the number of wells from 6 to 61 (an additional 55 wells), including the addition of a gathering pipeline and associated activities.

The former Linc Energy site is not included in Arrow’s EA, however, the amendment application includes areas in proximity to it.

Decision summary

The following material and legislation was considered as part of the decision-making process:

Assessment

The department has considered the independent advice from CSIRO and OGIA, particularly in relation to the groundwater modelling and any likely movement of contaminants from the former Linc Energy site and approved the EA amendment application with conditions.

The amended EA will not take effect until Arrow are able to obtain the required statutory authorisations to access the former Linc Energy site to undertake the monitoring, investigation and reporting requirements associated with their groundwater conditions. Access to the site will enable Arrow to inform updates to their groundwater model and predict any changes to the groundwater regime.

Arrow must comply with a number of conditions to monitor, minimise and mitigate impacts on the environment.

There are a number of conditions specifically to minimise the potential impact of activities on groundwater. These conditions include:

  • Expansion of the existing groundwater monitoring network with four (4) new groundwater monitoring bores targeting the Springbok Sandstone in the vicinity of the former Linc Energy Site to measure and predict changes in contaminant movement, groundwater flow direction and drawdown
  • Incorporating monitoring data from the four (4) new bores into the groundwater model
  • Submission of an interim annual review which analyses all groundwater monitoring results and assesses short-term and longer term data trends
  • Developing and submitting a Groundwater Monitoring Plan (GMP), that is prepared by a qualified hydrogeologist , that assesses the potential for the activity to impact the current groundwater conditions of aquifers in the area
  • The implementation of a monitoring program for the early detection of any changes in groundwater pressure, level, bore gas pressure, flow direction and ground water quality in all aquifers monitored by groundwater monitoring bores
  • Monitoring of all groundwater points on a quarterly basis at identified locations  Investigation requirements for exceedances of groundwater parameter investigation limits.
  • A requirement to cease production of water for these authorised activities (i.e. the 55 new wells), where an investigation report indicates that the activities have resulted in a change in the direction of groundwater flow on the former Linc Energy site and the migration of contaminants from the former Linc Energy Site
  • Annual reporting that requires the submission of all raw data and an assessment of long-term and short-term trends as well as requiring an independent review by a suitably qualified person.

Process

The process for the assessment of this project is as follows:

  1. Application stage
    EA application (or amendment application) submitted to department
  2. Information request stage
    Department may request further information from applicant
  3. Public notification stage
    Public can view the EA application (or amendment application) and provide feedback
  4. Decision stage
    Department decides whether to approve EA application (or amendment application)
  5. Decision stage
    Decision approved with conditions. The department has notified the proponent and those who provided submissions.

Key dates summary

  • 6 October 2021—Application received by department
  • 21 October 2021—Assessment level decision and information stage
  • 8 April 2022—Public notification stage (*Note—This was previously incorrectly listed as 8 May on our website)
  • 11 May 2022—Close of public submissions period
  • 6 July 2022—Original decision stage (extension granted)
  • 17 February 2023 —Decision stage
  • 17 February 2023—Notification of decision outcome sent to proponent and submitters
  • 17 February 2023–3 March 2023—Those who made a submission on or before the submission closing date, may, if unsatisfied with the decision, request an internal review of the decision
  • 3 March 2023—Closing date for internal review request

Further information

  • Frequently asked questions
  • For enquiries relating to this EA amendment application submit an online enquiry using the contact us form on the department’s website or contact the department on 13 QGOV.
  • For enquiries about environmental monitoring in the Chinchilla area, submit an online enquiry using contact us form or contact the department on 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
  • For general enquiries relating to the former Linc Energy site can be directed to the Department of Resources on 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

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