Safety tops list for CSG producers
COAL seam gas companies operating in Queensland are meeting required health and safety standards after a wellhead safety audit found only about 5% of CSG wells tested needed immediate repairs.
An audit on more than 2000 wells was carried out by CSG producers in Queensland after concerns about leaks were raised by community members earlier this year.
In a budget estimates hearing on Thursday Mine Safety and Health Commissioner Stewart Bell said 11 companies directed to audit their operations to ensure their gas wells met appropriate health and safety standards had tested 2239 wells.
Bell said of the wells tested, only 13 were leaking at a level that required some remedial action.
“By that, we mean that they are leaking above 10 per cent of the lower explosive limit of methane,” he said. “The lower explosive limit of methane is the level at which the gas can be ignited.
“So we are saying that these wells were mostly well below 10 per cent of that number. So there is no danger to the public. They cannot be ignited even if someone goes there with a flame.”
Bell added that the worst well detected was a well leaking around 40% of the lower explosive limit of methane and that well was repaired immediately.
“If companies detect wells at that level and they detected very few, they are repaired,” he said. “We insist that they are repaired straightaway.”
Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson told the budget estimates hearing the wellhead audits would continue with a total of 3335 wells to be tested by the end of the program.
“The inspectorate has been firm on ensuring that any wells which require repairs meet best practice standards are fixed immediately,” he said.
“All CSG wells are now fully fenced so they cannot be accessed by members of the community.”
Robertson ordered the audit in May after a series of inspections of Queensland Gas Company wellheads resulted in compliance orders being issued to the company.
Under the regulations all CSG producers in Queensland are required to do a complete inspection and risk assessment of existing wellheads and report the results to government.
The companies are required to report the results of the findings and remediation work to the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate on a weekly basis.
Friday, 16 July 2010
PetroleumNews.net
http://www.petroleumnews.net/StoryView.asp?StoryID=1137851
