Ban on use of BTEX compounds in CSG activities
Policy Number TI-O-120 Effective Date 06 Mar 2012 Review Date December 2014 - under review
Purpose
To formalise the NSW Government's existing policy banning the use of BTEX compounds in coal seam gas (CSG) drilling and hydraulic fracturing activities.
Scope
This policy applies to all CSG drilling and fracture stimulation activities under the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 19911 .
Note that the Government has imposed a moratorium on new hydraulic fracturing approvals until April 2012.
Policy
- The use of the volatile organic compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) in CSG drilling additives and CSG fracture stimulation additives is prohibited.
- All CSG drilling additives and CSG fracture stimulation additives must be tested by a NATA-certified laboratory and demonstrated to meet Australian drinking water health guideline values, which are currently:
- 0.001 mg/L for benzene
- 0.8 mg/L for toluene
- 0.3 mg/L for ethylbenzene
- 0.6 mg/L for xylene
Procedures
- All CSG drilling additives and CSG fracture stimulation additives must be identified in relevant applications for approval under the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991.
- The BTEX concentrations in these additives must be demonstrated to comply with Australian drinking water health guideline values.
- Samples of CSG drilling additives and CSG fracture stimulation additives may be taken at any time by NSW Trade & Investment to verify compliance with this policy.
Roles and responsibilities
- CSG titleholders: Responsible for ensuring drilling and fracture stimulation activities comply with the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991 and this policy.
- NSW Trade & Investment – Division of Resources & Energy (Environmental Sustainability Unit) Officers: Responsible for enforcement of this policy.
Delegations
- N/A
Legislation
- Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991
- Petroleum (Onshore) Regulation 2007
- Conditions of petroleum titles.
Related policies
- NSW Government Strategic Regional Land Use Policy.
Other related documents
Media release by the Hon Chris Hartcher Minister for Resources and Energy:
- 21 Jul 2011 - NSW Govt Has Listened And Acted: Tough New Conditions For Coal & Coal Seam Gas
Definitions
- BTEX
- The volatile organic compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.
- Coal seam gas
- Methane derived from coal beds.
- Drilling
- The process of constructing a drill hole or petroleum well.
- Drilling additives
- Includes all substances (gas, solid or liquid) injected into the ground during drilling with the exception of water.
- Fracture stimulation
- The process of pumping fluids at high pressure down a well bore and into a target rock formation to produce fractures and stimulate the flow of natural gas or oil. This definition includes all stages of the fracture stimulation process, e.g. fracture inducement, propping and flushing.
- Fracture stimulation additives
- Includes all substances (gas, solid or liquid) injected into the ground during fracture stimulation with the exception of sand and water.
- Hydraulic fracturing
- See "fracture stimulation".
- Australian drinking water health guideline values
- NHMRC, NRMMC (2011)Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Paper 6 National Water Quality Management Strategy. National Health and Medical Research Council, National Resource Management Ministerial Council, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.
Superseded documents
This policy replaces:
- N/A
Version | Date issued | Notes | By |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 20/12/2011 | Policy applied to "hydraulic fracturing" generally | Director Environmental Sustainability |
2 | 4/3/2012 |
| Director Environmental Sustainability |
Review date
April 2012, or on implementation of a regulation superseding this policy.
Contact
Environmental Sustainability Unit
(02) 4931 6605
coalseamgas.minres@industry.nsw.gov.au
1Fracture stimulation is an activity that requires approval under the conditions of titles granted under the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991
.