|
|
|
|
|
| isr home |  |
About isr | |
Sustainability research domains | |
Innovative solutions | |
What's happening at isr | |
Groundwater Systems Research | |
|
|
|
Current research projects: Sedimentary basins & Coal Seam Gas
Hydrogeological, hydrochemical and groundwater process studies related to sedimentary basins and their resources.
Sedimentary basins & Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Clarence-Moreton Basin Surat Basin Walloon Coal Measures Galilee and Eromanga Basins Postgraduate Research Projects Sedimentary basins & Coal Seam Gas (CSG) 
Main sedimentary basins in Queensland and relation to GAB. (Click image to enlarge) 3D Visualisation applied to Sedimentary Basins and CSG A recent challenge is the planned extraction of confined groundwaters from coal seams to enable extraction of contained gas. These groundwaters are usually artesian. This coal seam gas (CSG) is trapped in formations that occur between different aquifers and aquitards. For sustainable management a good understanding of all aspects of the groundwater systems is essential. This includes understanding the basin hydrogeology, groundwater occurrence and flow, and the chemical character of the groundwaters. It is also important to incorporate information on all the drillholes, including their depth and which aquifers they access. We are applying our skills in 3D visualisation of geological and groundwater systems to develop basin scale models of CSG areas for enhanced understanding of system framework and hydrological processes. These models enable capture of all existing data, plus greatly improve understanding by both managers and other stakeholders. The subsurface models can effectively be linked to surface systems and various maps. The 3D visualisation models are produced using Groundwater Visualisation System (GVS) which can display any geospatially referenced data. It can also display time series data, as well as other models developed externally in other software.  Sub-basins of the Great Artesian Basin in South East Queensland.
(Click image to enlarge) The Clarence-Moreton Basin (CMB) (Figure right) is a sub-basin of the Great Artesian Basin, connected to the neighbouring Surat Basin through the Kumbarilla Ridge. Significant surface water catchments within the CMB include: (a) Condamine Valley, (b) Lockyer Valley, (c) Bremer Valley, and the (d) Teviot Brook Catchment. Hydrogeologically, the CMB is of great interest as it hosts a variety of different aquifer types (alluvial, volcanic and Great Artesian Basin sedimentary aquifers) that are connected to varying degrees. Our current work on the CMB is conducted as part of a postdoctoral research fellowship (Dr Matthias Raiber) funded by the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT). The project focuses on the development of a basin-wide 3D geological model, attributed with hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical and isotopic data. Particular aspects of the project include:
Surat Basin A regional basin model funded by Arrow Energy to develop an integrated geological/conceptual hydrogeological model in 3D incorporating solid geometry, all drillholes plus groundwater piezometric surfaces. The model domain extends 450 km NW-SE and 270 km NE-SW. This covers much of the Condamine alluvium. Using GVS it is possible to zoom from the regional scale to a single bore.  (Click image to enlarge) Surat figure A. Oblique view to NW with geology overlain on DEM (Digital Elevation Model; geology is Geological Survey of Queensland (GSQ) digital map); deep artesian bores (yellow) are largely DERM database. Condamine alluvium with many cotton irrigation bores (~12,000) is shown in right background. Produced in collaboration with Arrow Energy.
 (Click image to enlarge) Surat figure B. Subsurface view to NW showing ground surface with bore locations (yellow) and artesian bores with downhole geologs of GAB stratigraphy. Produced in collaboration with Arrow Energy.
 (Click image to enlarge) Surat figure C. Same view as B showing surfaces of geological formations and drillholes. In this display format brown represents aquitards, blue are aquifers and black are coal formations. Produced in collaboration with Arrow Energy.
Walloon Coal Measures This formation is the main target for CSG in the Surat Basin. It consists of six recognised interbedded units of coal and sandstone; all contain some groundwater, the sandstones are aquifers, but the coal seams tend to act more as aquitards. However, all the units are variable in thickness and in permeability. The total sequence can be 200-300 m thick.  (Click image to enlarge) Example of drillcore from lower Walloon Coal Measures, which is a target zone for CSG. Coal beds are not continuous, the main one here at around 791 m depth is about 1 m thick. It is within fine grain mudstones and siltstones which contain some thin coal/carbonate layers. [Cores from Origin Energy hole Condabri 2, near town of Condamine, western Surat Basin. Origin are thanked for open access to their drillcore, August, 2011.]
Galilee and Eromanga Basins This project is funded by Exoma Energy and will develop a sub-regional basin model for the Galilee Basin and the overlying Eromanga Basin and will consider the GAB Artesian aquifiers. The model domain is centred around Longreach and is 300 km W-E and 275 km N-S. The 3D visualisation model (GVS) will incorporate all available data as well as new company generated information.  (Click image to enlarge) Galilee Basin and extent of the GVS 3D visualization model (orange) outline showing mapped faults, existing test bores, Exoma Energy permits (blue). Produced in collaboration with Exoma Energy Ltd.
 (Click image to enlarge) Galilee and Eromanga figure A: Oblique view of surface geology looking to the NW. Digital geology is from GSQ and overlain onto 90 m DEM. Produced in collaboration with Exoma Energy Ltd.
 (Click image to enlarge) Galilee and Eromanga figure B: Oblique view of topography with satellite image overlay showing drainage system, Exoma Energy leases and groundwater bores. These bores are artesian bores in the GAB not CSG holes. Produced in collaboration with Exoma Energy Ltd.
 (Click image to enlarge) Galilee and Eromanga figure C: Preliminary layers of 3D hydrogeological model displaying bores below the ground surface (DEM from the Internet, Shuttle CIAT, 90 m) and the surface of two formations: green is C horizon (top of Cadna-Owie, which is an aquifer at the bottom layer of the Cretaceous); red is P horizon (top of Betts Crk Beds, which is an aquifer at the top of the Permian). Produced in collaboration with Exoma Energy Ltd.
Postgraduate Research Projects PhD research project: Claudio Moya Subregional hydrogeology, stratigraphy and hydrochemistry of the Galilee and Eromanga Basins: identification of aquifers, aquitards and coal seams. Project funded by Exoma Energy. The study is focused on the central part of the Galilee Basin; a main objective is to determine the detail of the stratigraphy, and degree of hydraulic connection between the different water-bearing units. The integrated study will be directed to groundwater (formation water) and with emphasis on the geology, stratigraphy and hydrochemistry of the units. The thermal gradients and their distribution will be examined, and the relationship to water-rock interaction will be established. This project will also establish the baseline conditions of the groundwater systems prior to any Coal Seam Gas (CSG) development. (Supervisors: Cox, Raiber, Taulis). PhD research project: Zhenjiao Jiang Hydrological processes of Galilee and Eromanga Basins and relation to hydraulic properties of aquifers, aquitards and coal seams. Project funded by Exoma Energy and scholarship by China Scholarship Council and Exoma Energy. The project will establish the form of groundwater occurrence and characterise piezometric surfaces within the various sedimentary formations, and the nature and controls over hydrological processes within the main Permian coal seams. All available data will be integrated to develop a numerical model using FEFLOW software for the assessment of aquifer leakage potential (as a result of pumping). A goal is to describe the two main Permian age coal formations (Betts Creek Beds and Aramac Coal Measures) and define the differences, and the thickness and structure of the coals as well as the character of cleats. “Non-coal” units will be characterised with a focus on hydraulic properties, thickness and continuity of these units will be addressed. The interface between these coal seams will also be examined in relation to hydrological processes. (Supervisors: Taulis, Cox, Raiber, Schrank). BAppSc Honours research project: William Stearman Organic Compounds in Produced waters from Coal Seam Gas wells: A Case Study from the Surat and Bowen Basins. This project aims to identify potential organic constituents present (or absent) in CSG waters and quantitatively/qualitatively describe their relationship to the coal from which these waters are abstracted. Publically available CSG water data from various sources has been compiled and assessed in terms of inorganic hydrochemistry and organic content; data from CSG wells in Surat and Bowen Basins are being compared against CSG water from other basins (e.g. USA, Balkans) with known organic constituents. The presence of organic constituents in CSG water will be assessed in the context of existing regulations (i.e. drinking water standards). Coal samples of varying rank (lignite, sub-bituminous coal and bituminous) will undergo laboratory leaching using an adaption of the USEPA Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (method 1311). The procedure may assist in determining the likelihood of certain organics solubilising in different waters from coal measures of different rank. (Supervisors: Corkeron, Taulis, Smith). |
