A new video by CSIRO provides an overview of what’s involved in coal seam gas production.

The CSIRO animation provides an overview of the coal seam gas extraction process, from drilling the well to what happens to the extracted gas and water. Also explained are some potential impacts of coal seam gas development and the technique used to increase the rate of gas and water flow, known as hydraulic fracturing (fraccing).

Coal seam gas was first produced in Queensland in 1997. Development of the resource has been continuing steadily since then for both domestic supply and more recently in the production of export LNG.

The video explains how coal seam gas wells are lined with cement and steel casings to protect groundwater from being contaminated – a major concern of many local residents to CBM operations. CSIRO note that risks involved with drilling processes can be reduced, provided that appropriate precautionary measures are followed by the CBM project operator.

You can watch the video here.