Coal Gasification

In reply to the Hon. M.C. PARNELL (13 November 2018).

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment): The Minister for Mining and Energy has advised

1. The independent experts used in the state government's assessment of the Leigh Creek Energy demonstration project for underground coal gasification, or UCG, include:

Ikon Science, technical consultants in the field of geomechanical modelling.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, renowned international experts in UCG based in the United States.

Dr Gary J. Love, fact witness to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science in the investigation and prosecution of Linc Energy.

Dr Clifford Mallett, former CSIRO UCG research scientist.

The independent experts were selected based on their expertise in their respective fields and for being at arms-length to the Leigh Creek Energy demonstration project.

The advice provided by the independent experts is publicly available on the Department for Energy and Mining website.

2. The state government did not engage Professor Campbell Gemmell as an independent expert. However, findings from Professor Gemmell's independent review of UCG commissioned by the Scottish government, were considered in the state government's assessment of the Leigh Creek Energy demonstration project. In his review, Professor Gemmel concludes that establishing credible baselines, firm planning and licensing conditions and subsequently enforcing robust regulatory, monitoring and liability management arrangements would be paramount to the realisation of any successful UCG project. It is exactly for these reasons that in South Australia through the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000, licensees are required to undertake sufficient exploration, appraisal and site assessments to enable informed evidence- and fact-based regulatory decisions on any UCG proposal in this state. Further details are provided in the assessment summary report for the Leigh Creek Energy demonstration project, available on the Department for Energy and Mining website.

Website link:

http://energymining.sa.gov.au/petroleum/projects/prj_leigh_creek_energy_isg.