I refer to an item inviting locals to say “NO” to coal seam gas, mining, drilling and fracking at an evening forum to be held in Laurieton on June 23.
This ‘call-to-arms’ article claims that “the possibility of Coal Seam Gas Exploration is high in the Lorne Basin geological area”. It also claims that three geological locations within the Lorne Basin have been identified for CSG potential.
This all sounds very worrying. However, as a retired geologist, I do not share the Camden Haven Anti-Fracking Group’s (CHAFG) concern that our beautiful Lorne Basin is likely to be exploited for either coal seam gas (CSG) or petroleum-related natural gas.
The Lorne Basin is relatively small and contains scant coaly sediments of different ages. Furthermore, most of these uneconomic occurrences are associated with a very thin sequence of eroded Late Triassic (~210 Ma) fluviatile sedimentary rocks which have been intruded by the “Three Brothers” volcanic complex. The ‘target’ sequence overlies an eroded, folded and faulted older basement. These geological circumstances are generally unattractive. I would look elsewhere for CSG.
Major energy resource companies are engaged in extracting and/or assessing the economic potential of CSG resources in the very large coal-producing Permian (~270 Ma) basins of Queensland and NSW.
The nearby small Gloucester Basin (Permian) and the medium size Clarence-Moreton Basin (Mesozoic) adjacent to the north coast contain significant coal measures and therefore offer high potential as additional CSG producers.
State governments have been actively facilitating exploration and production of CSG as a replacement fuel for electricity generation. CSG is more efficient and will reduce our carbon footprint.
Bear in mind that conventional coal mining activities pollute and release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere. This is not smart.
John Lusk, Dunbogan
