Origin caps exploration holes as CSG water bubbles up

A PROPERTY on Green Swamp Rd in Chinchilla had to have four historic coal exploration drilling holes capped after salty CSG water seeped on to farmland and caused gas to bubble to the surface of Charleys Creek.

An Origin Energy spokesman said the company first became aware of the issue on Thursday, July 23, where coal exploration drilling holes had caused CSG water and gas to surface.

Origin confirmed the holes were capped last Wednesday,

August 23.

“We have remediated four of these old coal exploration holes with the authorisation from Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy they have now been plugged and abandoned to gas industry regulations and standards,” the spokesman said.

“While we aren’t responsible for the ongoing management of these old coal exploration bores, we are prepared to work with our landowners and government on a case-by-case basis to remediate from an environmental and safety perspective.”

When asked if recent CSG development in the Chinchilla area had caused the issue to arise, the spokesman said, “there is no gas development on this property and no fracking has occurred in this area”.

The spokesman said since being capped, the gas bubbling to the surface of Charleys Creek, which runs through the township, had stopped.

There are still hundreds of old gas exploration holes in the region which remain uncapped, the spokesman said, “exactly how many is a question for government or the coal companies who are responsible for drilling them”.