Coal seam gas toxins raise questions

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDOct 19 2010

Routine testing by Australia Pacific LNG found traces of four toxic chemicals, including benzene and toluene, in their wells in the Surat Basin. There are fresh calls for a ban on the extraction of coal seam gas in southern Queensland. A coal gasification pilot near Kingaroy on the Darling Downs was put on hold in July after the same chemicals were found in water supplies there. Coal gasification on the other hand is said to be the solution to energy problems in Australia. The chemicals known as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene) however are undermining its efficacy. BTEX is found in a range of oil-based products, including lubricating oil, diesel and petrol.

The chemicals were found in eight out of 17 wells in the Surat Basin, west of the Darling Downs. According to company spokesman Paul Zealand the findings are a surprise. “In the extraction process we do inject some chemicals into the wells but the suppliers of our chemicals have assured us that those chemicals don't contain BTEX… It's been a big surprise to us to find this and that's why we've undertaken the investigation regime we're now doing,” he explained. He added that very small amount was detected. He said, “If you think of an Olympic-sized swimming pool, which would contain 1.5 million litres of water, then the equivalent amount of chemical contained in there would be about half a cup.”

According to environmental campaigner Drew Hutton the chemicals are seen both at Surat Basin and at the project near Kingaroy. “This process has gone wrong,” he said. He added, “There should not be those chemicals in the fluids that are coming up from the wells and the fact that it's in eight wells shows there's some sort of pattern going on here…We need to get to the bottom of it and if somebody has done the wrong thing then they need to be held to account for it.” He feels all coal gasification projects should be put on hold until it is deemed safe. The Queensland Government has ordered independent testing of the company's wells and says it must find out where the chemicals came from.

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown feels it is ethical that the company informed local and State Governments promptly. He said, “The company has done what the community and the Government has asked of them to do… The Government has fulfilled their commitment by notifying the landholders and concerned communities, including local authorities, so the process is working well.”