Improving our understanding of connectivity between coal seams and aquifers
Integrating airborne electromagnetic surveys, environmental tracers and geochemical modelling to refine the understanding of connectivity between coal seams and overlying aquifers in the Narrabri region of NSW
This project, conducted through CSIRO’s Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance (GISERA), was developed in response to community concerns about the potential for coal seam gas (CSG) activities in the Narrabri region to impact on important aquifers.
Researchers adopted a multi-disciplinary approach that combines existing data with new targeted data to generate high-resolution 3D images of sub-surface formations. The study found that there is likely a high degree of hydraulic separation between deep coal seams and the Pilliga Sandstone Aquifer.