Coal seam gas water

To produce coal seam gas (CSG), wells are drilled into underground coal seams, bringing water (CSG water) from the seams to the surface. This process reduces pressure in the seams which allows CSG to be released. The quality of CSG water quality varies greatly, however it is generally rich in salts and other minerals.

The amount of CSG water produced over the life of a project is known as the ’water production profile’. This profile is linked to: the volume of water in the coal seams; the permeability of the coal seam; and, the rate and volume of gas production. The largest volumes of CSG water are primarily recovered in the early stages of CSG production, decreasing exponentially over time.

The volume of CSG water produced at each well and across a CSG project will change over time. Because of this, the management of CSG water is likely to require a number of approaches or solutions working together.

These management solutions may vary through the life of the operation, and will often differ between geographical areas. This is because of the differing geological characteristics of the coal seams, the proximity of the extraction site to available beneficial uses, the qualities and characteristics of the surrounding environment, and the quality of the CSG water.

It is important that CSG operators are strategic and proactive in their management of CSG water so that impacts on the environment are avoided and managed, and to ensure the water is used in a way that reflects its value as a resource. Wherever possible, CSG water should be used and managed in a way that is of benefit to the community, and reduces impacts on the environment.

    CSG Water Management Policy

    The role of the Coal Seam Gas Water Management Policy 2012—ESR/2016/2381 (formerly EM738) is to:

    • clearly state the government’s position on the management and use of CSG water
    • guide CSG operators in managing CSG water under their environmental authority (EA)
    • ensure community understanding about the government’s preferred approach to managing CSG water.

    The objective of the policy is to encourage the beneficial use of CSG water in a way that protects the environment and maximises its productive use as a valuable resource.

    The objective of the policy is to be achieved by managing CSG water in accordance with the following two priorities:

    Priority 1—CSG water is used for a purpose that is beneficial to one or more of the following: the environment, existing or new water users, and existing or new water-dependent industries.

    Priority 2—After feasible beneficial use options have been considered, treating and disposing of CSG water in a way that firstly avoids, and then minimises and mitigates impacts on environmental values.

    The Coal Seam Gas Water Management Policy 2012 focuses on the management and use of CSG water under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, and does not vary the requirements of the Water Act 2000 (Water Act), such as ‘making good’ any relevant impacts that may result from a CSG operation on water supply bores. However, measures under the Water Act may require the provision of water to mitigate impacts. CSG operators should consider the feasibility of using CSG water to meet those obligations.

    Approving the use of CSG water as a resource

    CSG operators must hold an EA under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) before any work can take place on tenure. An EA applies to the tenure holder and is for the tenure on which the activity is being carried out.

    As part of an EA application under the EP Act, CSG operators must demonstrate how their water will be managed in accordance with the policy. CSG operators are also required to submit an annual evaluation of how effective and appropriate management of CSG water has been. This annual evaluation is carried out in consideration of the measurable criteria. Read more about measurable criteria for the management of CSG water.

    Under the EP Act, waste is defined as including anything that is left over, or an unwanted by-product, from an industrial, commercial, or domestic activity. There are a range of regulatory requirements that are placed on the management of waste.

    As CSG water is a left over and unwanted by-product, it is initially regarded as a waste. However, under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 (Waste Act) a waste can be approved for use as a resource if the department considers that it meets specified quality criteria for its specific use. If a waste is approved as a resource, it is no longer considered a waste for the purposes of the EP Act. This means there is no need for assessment or consideration around how the waste is to be managed under the EA.

    Under the current framework a resource can be provided to third parties, and has no restrictions on whether the CSG water can be used on or off-tenure. There is a focus on ensuring that higher quality wastes are used under the framework as it allows more reuse opportunities with less regulation. It is the waste producer's responsibility to ensure that the resource meets the required specified criteria.

    Where an end of waste (EOW) code is in place for the proposed use of the water, the CSG operator has no application or assessment requirements, but must register to be a resource producer using the approved form Registered resource producer for an end of waste code (ESR/2018/4082) prior to operating under the EOW code and comply with the requirements of the code.

    This approval path is the preferred option for complying with the objective of the policy.

    CSG water approval requirements

    Changes to Chapter 8 of the Waste Act came into effect on 8 November 2016, replacing the BUA framework with the EOW framework. Under the transitional provisions, the resources approved under a current general BUA can continue to be used as a resource for the specified uses until the end of the approval period (the period specified in the relevant Notice).

    The department made the following EOW codes for CSG water:

    More information regarding the EOW framework and the transitional arrangements for existing general BUAs can be found here: End of waste framework.

    CSG water irrigation

    The department has detailed the requirements and conditions expected for the irrigation of CSG water in End of waste code for irrigation of associated water (including coal seam gas water) (ESR/2019/4712). These requirements and conditions are designed to ensure that irrigation of CSG water carries no greater risk than what is acceptable for any other irrigation scheme.

    There are two paths for this option: comply with the standard water quality parameters, or comply with a resource monitoring and management plan (RMMP). If the standard water quality parameters cannot be met, an independent suitably qualified person (SQP) must certify the RMMP in accordance with the requirements of the End of waste code for irrigation of associated water (including coal seam gas water) (ESR/2019/4712).

    Other CSG water uses

    In the End of waste code for associated water (including coal seam gas water) (ESR/2019/4713), the department has detailed the requirements and conditions expected for a range of other specified uses of CSG water. These uses include: aquaculture, coal washing, dust suppression, construction activities, landscaping and revegetation, research and development, stock and domestic activities. These requirements and conditions are designed to ensure that CSG water is appropriately conditioned for the purpose authorised.

    Approving the disposal of CSG water

    An EA may authorise the use of CSG water. However, the CSG water remains a waste and requires consideration and assessment against the standard criteria and regulatory requirements in the EP Act, and EP Regulation.

    As an EA applies to the holder of the tenure on which an activity is being carried out, it cannot approve the use of CSG water off-tenure or to a third party unless the department is satisfied that the water poses no environmental risks and is fit for all purposes when leaving the tenure or being supplied to a third party.

    This is because the act of supplying CSG water off-tenure or to a third party is a waste disposal activity under the EA. As the CSG operator is responsible for meeting EA conditions, these conditions cannot apply off tenure or restrict or apply to a third-party. Therefore the CSG water must meet a high-quality standard, be fit for any purpose and pose no environmental risks in order to be authorised under the EA as waste disposal.

    If a CSG operator wishes to use CSG water on tenure, the EA cannot approve this disposal of waste unless the department is satisfied that any potential environmental risks identified are appropriately avoided, minimised and mitigated. This will require the CSG operator to submit an application (along with a corresponding application fee) for the department to assess in accordance with waste management considerations under the EP Act. In this circumstance, a strict conditioning framework including water quality standards, operational standards and disposal methods will be applied to the EA.

    While waste disposal of CSG water in this context may provide a benefit to existing or new users both on or off-tenure, it is not the preferred approval path for the beneficial use of CSG water.

    Importantly however, to streamline the assessment process under an EA, the two existing general BUAs for associated water (which includes CSG water) included consideration of the relevant standard criteria and regulatory requirements in the EP Act and EP Regulation respectively. Accordingly, a CSG operator who wishes to use CSG water on tenure may streamline the process by complying with conditions that are consistent with those in the general BUAs.

    Enquiries

    Permits and Licensing
    Ph: 1300 130 372 (Option 4)
    Email: palm@des.qld.gov.au

    Salt and brine

    The treatment of CSG water using desalination technologies results in brine and, ultimately, salt residues that must be appropriately managed. The concentration and composition of salts depends on the characteristics of the CSG water and the treatment process.

    The salinity of CSG water is typically measured as the concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS) with values ranging from 200 to more than 10,000 milligrams per litre.

    By comparison, good quality drinking water has TDS value of less than 500 milligrams per litre. The TDS of sea water is between 36,000 and 38,000 milligrams per litre. Brine is defined as saline water with a total dissolved solid concentration greater than 40,000 milligrams per litre.

    The Coal Seam Gas Water Management Policy 2012—ESR/2016/2381 (formerly EM738) requires that saline waste is managed in accordance with the following two priorities:

    Priority 1—Brine or salt residues are treated to create useable products wherever feasible.

    Priority 2—After assessing the feasibility of treating the brine or solid salt residues to create useable and saleable products, disposing of the brine and salt residues in accordance with strict standards that protect the environment.

    Development of a long-term management strategy for brine and salt

    The department consulted with key stakeholders to develop an industry-wide, long-term management approach for the treatment of saline wastewater generated from CSG activities.

    The treatment of associated water from CSG activities results in significant volumes of water being available for a range of uses and smaller quantities of highly saline wastewater (brine). Brine must be appropriately managed as it is unsuitable for release to the environment. Brine is currently stored on an interim basis in dedicated storage ponds until a long-term management approach is adopted.

    APPEA and UQ reports

    To resolve the issue, the former Minister requested in March 2017 that the department in collaboration with APPEA, the peak body for Australia's oil and gas industry, worked to develop a report to identify industry-wide solutions for the long-term management of brine generated from CSG activities.

    The University of Queensland Centre for Natural Gas (UQ) was subsequently engaged by the department to undertake a peer review of the APPEA Report and provide advice, conclusions, and recommendations (UQ Report).

    The key findings of both reports are summarised in the information sheet ‘Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Brine Management - Development of an Action Plan’ (PDF, 214.3KB) (ESR/2021/5644).

    Full copies of the APPEA and UQ Reports are available here:

    For enquiries related to salt and brine management please contact the department via email: RRS.Consultation@des.qld.gov.au

    Coal seam gas brine management action plan

    A coal seam gas brine management action plan (PDF, 1.1MB) (action plan)—developed collaboratively by the department, industry, landholders and environmental groups—aims to ensure the effective and efficient management of CSG brine waste. It recognises that while the most feasible option is currently encapsulation of brine waste, the research and investigation of alternative options for brine management must be continued, in keeping with circular economy principles.

    The key principles for CSG brine management identified within the action plan are:

    • ensuring a robust regulatory framework
    • promoting a circular economy
    • investing in research and development
    • increasing transparency and stakeholder engagement.

    These principles are supported by the following seven actions, to be carried out by the department and industry (represented by APPEA):

    • regular reporting of brine volumes
    • investigating options for providing public access to data relating to environmental impacts of brine management
    • reviewing existing regulatory guidance material and updating where desirable
    • applying a coordinated approach to the consideration of brine management options
    • investing in research and development
    • publicly reporting on the application of learnings from research and development.

    Regulated structures including dams

    The requirements for assessing the potential hazards of dams or levees (referred to as regulated structures) associated with planned CSG activities are outlined in the manual and guideline below:

    CSG companies applying for an EA must demonstrate via certification from a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland that the design and construction of their regulated structure meets the hazard assessment requirements.

    The guideline also contains a range of ‘model’ conditions that provides performance requirements set by the department including the requirement for CSG operators to maintain a regulated dam register. Obtain a template for the regulated dam register—ESR/2016/2506.

    This risk management approach requires the resource industry to actively manage regulated structures throughout their life.

    Evaporation dams

    In all but exceptional circumstances, evaporation dams have been banned for CSG water, and existing dams will be either converted to other uses or decommissioned.

    Once a dam is no longer being used for CSG operations it must be rehabilitated or modified for a different use (like a farm dam, if the landholder agrees).

    Decommissioning and rehabilitation standards require contaminated water and underlying soil to be appropriately remediated.