Pangaea Resources Pty Ltd joins GISERA

March 20th, 2019

Australian exploration and production company Pangaea Resources has joined CSIRO’s Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance (GISERA).

The purpose of GISERA is for CSIRO to provide quality assured scientific research and information to communities living in gas development regions focusing on social and environmental topics.

Pangaea’s decision to join GISERA reflects the key role played by CSIRO’s independent scientific studies and research programs that can help inform Northern Territory Government decisions about potential shale gas development in the Beetaloo Basin.

Pangaea’s diverse portfolio of oil and natural gas operations across onshore Australia include Northern Territory exploration permits in the western McArthur and central Beetaloo Basins southeast of Darwin.

Pangaea joins existing GISERA industry partners Origin and Santos, which also have an interest in Beetaloo Basin shale gas exploration activities.

GISERA is working with the Northern Territory Government to conduct baseline studies of groundwater properties and methane emissions, in line with recommendations of the Final Report of the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory.

CSIRO Research Director Onshore Gas and GISERA Director, Dr Damian Barrett, said the baseline water and methane measurement programs were part of a series of research projects planned for the Northern Territory.

Dr Barrett said the research is crucial in the long term to understand the potential impacts from the industry, allowing stakeholders such as regulators, operators and the community the ability to make informed decisions.

To guide GISERA’s research program, a Northern Territory Regional Research Advisory Committee has been established, including a majority of independent Northern Territory members who review and approve all research proposals.

GISERA is a collaboration between CSIRO, Commonwealth, state and territory governments and industry established to undertake publicly-reported independent research.

The governance structure for GISERA is designed to provide for and protect research independence and transparency of research outputs.