Coal seam gas

Coal seam gas (CSG) also called coal bed methane, is mostly methane in composition and is typically attached to the coal along its natural fractures and cleats. This gas is released when pressure on the coal seam is reduced, usually by removal of water from the seam.

CSG is an important energy resource in Queensland and production of this gas now makes up an increasing proportion of Queensland gas demand. A general overview of coal seam gas in Queensland can be found in DME Fact Sheet.

CSG exploration is carried out under the Petroleum Act 1923 and the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004. Coal seam gas production is administered under the Petroleum Act 1923, the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 and the Mineral Resources Act 1989.

• Queensland's coal seam gas overview (PDF, 1.5 MB)
• Queensland's booming coal seam gas industry poster (PDF, 330 kB)
• Queensland Government Mining Journal March 2008 CSG article (PDF, 1.43 MB)

Information on the legislative requirements for administering overlapping coal, oil shale and petroleum leases under the coal seam gas regime is contained in the following flowcharts.

• Coal or Oil Shale Mining Lease CSG flowchart (PDF, 141 kB)
• Petroleum Lease CSG flowchart (PDF, 55 kB)

CSG water management study

Water is a primary by-product of CSG development. The quality of the water ranges from potable to saline and may be rich in other constituents that make it unsuitable for many uses. The Queensland Goverment commissioned a report to look into ways to manage this water.

Find out more about the CSG water management study.

For more information on coal seam gas, please contact the Manager, Exploration Strategies.