AGL Restarts Work at NSW Coal Seam Gas Pilot

AGL Energy Limited on Friday said it has recommenced work at its Gloucester gas project in New South Wales after it resumed the transportation of flowback water from its Waukivory pilot.

In January, the company suspended pilot production testing at its Waukivory coal seam gas pilot. The decision was made in response to the detection of Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) in samples of flowback water taken from two of the four wells and from an aboveground water storage tank.

Last month, AGL received confirmation from the NSW government that there is no evidence of harm to the environment or pollution of local waterways resulting from the discovery of BTEX.

AGL has engaged Toxfree Solutions to transport and treat flowback water at its licensed facility, and subsequently lawfully dispose of the treated water.

The flowback water will be taken to Toxfree’s Narangba plant in Brisbane’s north for treatment to the standards set by the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and Toxfree’s trade waste agreement. The plant is one of the most advanced waste treatment facilities in Australia.

AGL holds all necessary government and regulatory approvals for this work to take place, the company said.