THE NSW Office of Coal Seam Gas will allow AGL to flare four suspended gas wells at its operations in Gloucester.
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Meanwhile, AGL says it has rectified a small gas leak discovered during routine monitoring at one of the Waukivory pilot wells last Thursday, April 2. The EPA were notified of the leak.
Operations at AGL’s Waukivory Pilot Project were suspended in January after traces of BTEX chemicals were detected in flowback water. Investigations and testing into the presence of the chemicals is continuing.
On April 2, the Office of Coal Seam Gas received an application from AGL to decrease gas pressure in the four wells that are currently subject to the suspension notice.
“After imposing tight conditions the Office of Coal Seam Gas has authorised the company to undertake work to release the build-up of gas that has accumulated since the pumping of flowback water from the wells was suspended,” a statement released by the Office of Coal Seam Gas today (Wednesday) said.
The conditions imposed include:
- Gas must be released slowly by moving it from the well-heads through a pipeline to the flare for controlled combustion to prevent methane escaping into the atmosphere.
- A well-head control system must be used in accordance with recognised safety systems.
- Gas release rates are to be kept to a minimum and all volumes released must be recorded.
- AGL must ensure the activity will not involve the pumping of water or any movement of water from the wells.
- AGL is required to advise the Office of Coal Seam Gas and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) prior to commencement and completion of the work. The company has also been instructed to inform the community of the planned authorised works.
AGL said the flaring was necessary to maintain the safety and future integrity of the wells.
"In recent months, natural gas has built up in the four wells and will be released in a controlled manner and flared," a spokeswoman said.
"AGL requested approval on Thursday, April 2 and wants to undertake this action to ensure its operations are conducted safely and to maintain the quality of the wells for future production."
The process should take approximately two weeks and will not involve pumping water or moving water out of the four wells.
Compliance officers from the Office of Coal Seam Gas and the EPA will monitor the activity.
The flaring will be conducted in accordance with any requirements in the company’s environment protection licence and the Clean Air Regulations.
All other activity at the Waukivory Pilot Project remains suspended.
