On the record: checking the green tide

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -1000

ENVIRONMENTALISM by itself is not a bad thing but left unchecked, as appears to be the case with green opposition to coal seam gas and other developments in Australia, it is a whole different ballgame entirely.

The National Energy Security Assessment appears to agree with this, saying environmental challenges to CSG were a threat to gas supply security just as Australia became more reliant on it as a power source.

It is not hard to find examples of this.

The strident opposition to CSG, especially in New South Wales, led to a moratorium on fracture stimulation in the state that has since been extended to April this year while the federal government caved to independent MP Tony Windsor’s demands for more oversight over the sector with the introduction of an expert scientific panel that would assess the impact of CSG projects on water.

This opposition has continued into the new year, with New South Wales Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham opening the offensive with claims that land access payments in the Pilliga forest were minute compared to the revenue the wells there were generating – a point that fails to take into account a broader range of issues such as company tax and the nature of CSG production.

Buckingham has since latched on to a new “study” from the US that alleges that exposure to gas drilling in the US is strongly linked to serious health problems in humans, pets, livestock and other animals.

However, scienctists polled by the Australian Science Media Centre said the study did not qualify as a scientific one but was more accurately an advocacy piece. University of Melbourne honorary professorial fellow Professor Ian Rae noted that its authors did not appear to have a track record of investigation in environmental studies.

Griffith University associate professor Dr Heather Chapman added that while the report was interesting, there were important differences between the shale gas drilling referenced in it and the coal seam gas drilling in Australia, namely that the latter took place at greater depths.

The comments clearly show that those opposed to CSG are willing to pull out all stops and even endorse half-baked “studies” to prove their point rather than carrying out proper and relevant scientific studies.

In contrast, the industry has at least generally been systematic about collecting data from its operations and has commissioned studies into its impact and how it compares with the coal industry.

After all, the industry has a vested interest in maintaining its licence to operate and ignoring any potential environmental impacts would be detrimental to this goal.

CSG has been in Australia for more than a decade and during this time there have been no major incidents. It is possible that this might change as operations ramp up for the massive export projects, but there is a clear awareness of this and little doubt that all is being done to prevent any incidents from happening.

The trick now is to ensure that all stakeholders, particularly the public, are aware of this and that the ham-fisted, sensationalist moves of those opposed to CSG development are exposed for what they are, without dismissing any genuine concerns.

http://www.energynewspremium.net//storyview.asp?storyid=2494254&sectionsource=s0

Modification to Illawarra CSG Project Approved by PAC

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -1000

Apex Energy NL (Apex) has received notice from the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) that it has approved Apex’s application for its 15 hole Illawarra CSG exploration project to be extended to 16 holes. The modification is to include an additional borehole to be located in the Illawarra.

The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has reviewed the modification application in consultation with multiple various government bodies, and after addressing submissions received from public exhibition of the proposal in April of this year. The Department made positive recommendation to the PAC in September, following which the PAC, under delegation of the authority of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, interviewed the proponent (Apex), and its JV partner Ormil Energy, various government agencies, including Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Office of Water, Sydney Catchment Authority, and held a public meeting in Helensburgh on 17^th October. At the public meeting, residents and various interest groups were given the opportunity to present their views.

Apex is extremely confident that the thorough & extensive environmental assessment process has identified any potential risks to the environment by the proposed activities, and that they have been comprehensively addressed, as was indicated by the PAC who in their approval said there is “a set of demanding conditions to protect water security and the environment”. Also within the report, the Sydney Catchment Authority is quoted as saying “the risk to aquifer security posed by the drilling of the proposed AI19 borehole, in and of itself, was not significant under strict conditions of approval”

Apex Managing Director, Darren Rice said “we are very pleased to have this additional borehole approved, as it is important to determining the potential gas reserves and flow rates in the northern extremity of our license areas. It will likely be one of two exploration boreholes that we intend to drill in the area. The intention is to take coal core samples for testing and carry out coal permeability testing, before cementing the exploration holes from bottom to surface and remediating the sites to their original condition.”

The total operation per site is likely to take around five weeks, and is for exploration information purposes only and should not produce water of any significance. All drilling fluids will be handled in above ground tanks, before being trucked to an existing waste treatment facility by a licensed waste disposal company upon the completion of exploration activities.

Apex does not intend to use the controversial stimulation technique of hydraulic fracturing on any of its wells in the Illawarra.

We are also pleased to see both the Federal and State Parliamentary Inquiries into the Coal Seam Gas Industry progressing well, with inputs being gathered from a series of public meetings and evidence submitted by Industry participants, government, community and environmental groups. We anticipate the results of these Inquiries, when reported, will dispel much of what Apex believes to be inaccuracies and sensationalism, which have coloured some sectors of public opinion against the Industry.

Media enquiries should be directed to:

Chris Lawrence, Corporate Development Manager, Apex Energy NL

Office: (02) 9251-0223 Email clawrence@apexenergy.com.au

Or alternatively

Tom Fontaine, Managing Director, Ormil Energy Ltd

Mobile: 0411 610 006 Email tjcfontaine@gmail.com

APPEA further exposes misleading anti CSG tactics

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -1000

Apex continues to be transparent, open and honest in all its public communications. Unfortunately the general public continues to be subjected to mis-information supplied by anti CSG groups, which if not exposed and rectified could seriously hinder the State of NSW in its beneficial use of the valuable cleaner bridging energy source that is CSG. Apex has highlighted some of this mis-information in previous news articles on its web site. Apex is encouraged by the continued exposure of these tactics as recently highlighted by the NSW Government and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA). See the link below for a recent APPEA media release detailing such mis-informationee.

http://www.apexfiles.com.au/111012_lock_the_gate%20federal%20submission%20errors.pdf

Apex responds to Stop SCG Illawarra questions

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -1000

On 21st August 2011 Apex Energy and Ormil Energy were represented at a Stop CSG Illawarra (SCSGI) public forum in Thirroul by the Managing Director of Ormil Energy, Mr. Tom Fontaine. During this forum Tom committed to answering a series of questions to be posed by SCSGI. Apex then received a letter from SCSGI on the 9th of October 2011 asking a series of questions (see link below).

http://www.apexfiles.com.au/SCSGI%20Letter%20to%20Apex%2009%2010%2011.pdf

SCSGI stated that it would publish the Apex responses on its web site.

Apex's responses to these questions can be found at the link below.

http://www.apexfiles.com.au/AEC16%20-%20DR%20response%20to%20SCSGI%20questions%2021.10.11.pdf

NSW Government supports recognises coal seam gas as valuable and necessary resource

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -1000

The NSW Government commisioned and inquiry on the 5th August 2011 to report on the environmental, health, economic and social impacts of coal seam gas activities. This inquiry is a current Legislative Council inquiry conducted by the General Purpose Standing Committee No. 5. Link 1 at bottom of this web page finds the submission made to the inquiry by the NSW Government. The submision recognise the strategic importance and necessity of CSG for the state of NSW whilst highlighting issues with this growing industry which need to be addressed in order to promote a environmentaly and socially responsible industry.

What this all indicates is that NSW is strategically vulnerable in terms of its future energy requirments given that its CSG industry is underdeveloped and that NSW so heavily relies upon interstate gas supplies from areas of increasing gas usage. The NSW Government has identified CSG's importance but recognises that CSG industry growth must take place in a socially and environmentally sustainable way. Unfortunately this process is being hampered to some extent by the misleading tactics of anti CSG groups. These tactics are distracting the NSW Government and the NSW CSG industry from the real issues at hand which relate to technical quality assurance and social requirments of those potentialy affected by the industry.

Link 1 http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/1a5ec21b249c5e49ca25791f00045cee/$FILE/Submission%200642.pdf

Minister Chris Hartcher) released a media statement with the above submission. This media release can be sean at link 2 below.

Link 2 http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/410926/NSW-government-submission-to-CSG-inquiry.pdf

Anti coal seam gas group false claims exposed

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -1000

The Coal Seam Gas (CSG) industry including Apex Energy has known for some time that tactics being used by anti CSG lobby groups are unfair , false, misleading and sometimes worse. Claims have been continuously made by anti CSG groups such as the Lock The Gate Alliance and Stop CSG Illawarra that CSG production is worse for the environment than coal, citing articles out of the USA that relate to studies done on the shale gas industry. The tactics used have been to directly substitute the words “shale gas” for ”coal seam gas” in attempts to convince the general public that CSG is significantly more damaging for the environment than coal, as well as talking about significant life cycle effects such as gas being allowed to leak into the atmosphere as a result of harvesting activities. Indeed public petitions are being used which make these claims, the Stop CSG Illawarra current petition is an example of such. This petition makes many false claims designed to stir up emotion, but lacks’ a reliable scientific basis and foundation (see insert).

In relation to other claims made on this petition please go to the following link:

http://www.apexenergy.com.au/apex-response-to-stop-csg-illawarra-petition/

These tactics have been exposed and have triggering articles in the media as well as counter statements by the Lock the Gate Alliance (included in this article as insets). The petroleum industry body, APPEA has responded with letters to the Senate which clearly spell out this issue and make the industries position on such misleading tactics clear. To view these letters see the following links:

http://www.apexfiles.com.au/110928_Senate%20letter_FINAL.PDF

http://www.apexfiles.com.au/Letter%20to%20Federal%20Senate%20220911%20(2).pdf

Apex Energy and Ormil Energy have previously identified these claims as being false and misleading and have publicly stated this at forums in the Illawarra. This includes the Stop CSG Illawarra forum held in Thirroul on September the 13th 2011 and the Coal Seam Gas Taskforce forum on Tuesday 20 September. Indeed claims were made by Stop CSG Illawarra at the Coal Seam Gas Taskforce forum that harvesting CSG causes 30% more fugitive gas emissions from coal seams, when in fact by extracting CSG from coal seams, the process would reduce fugitive gas emissions. This fugitive emission reduction as a result of CSG production is especially the case in the Illawarra where gas currently leaks into the atmosphere from old coal mines and seam outcrops along the escarpment.

Apex believes that it is unfair and unfortunate that such tactics are being used by anti CSG groups to influence the public. The company believes that constructive factual discussions are important and that public concerns should be listened to and addressed. This is, however, difficult when the public are being influenced by false claims, emotive claims and misleading tactics.

The CSG Industry has developed around rigorous environmental and engineering protocols which have evolved from many decades of extraction and practical scientific analysis. Apex reiterates and believes that the CSG Industry is well regulated ,safe and provides positive input into the economy.

CSG scaremongering tactics exposed

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -1000

IN what could be seen as an act of desperation, radical opponents to the coal seam gas industry are distributing a fake letter in New South Wales to try and evoke fear of CSG exploration.

The fake letter by non-existent company Hummingbird Mining Consulting is being distributed to landowners detailing false pre-production work to start on October 10.

The letter tells landowners that they will need to do nothing when the faux-exploratory work begins.

“Our engineers will bring all necessary equipment to perform their job,” the letter reads.

“This includes portable buildings, power generating equipment, flood lighting and materials for access roads.”

“Whilst it is anticipated there may be some inconvenience to yourself whilst we conduct this necessary pre-production work, we will endeavour to keep noise and traffic disturbance to a minimum.”

The NSW CSG industry has copped a lot of flak from concerned farmers and green groups, and the letter is the latest tactic to stir up community concern.

NSW Minister for Resources and Energy Chris Hartcher is warning landowners of the letter, saying it was a “cheap” attempt at misrepresenting the facts regarding CSG exploration and access arrangements.

“The New South Wales government strongly condemns the antics of extremist critics in stirring up false community concern through the distribution of this letter,” he said.

“The fake letter intentionally misrepresents the correct process – companies must enter into written access arrangements with landholders if they wish to undertake any exploration activities on their land.”

In NSW, CSG exploration can only be carried out on a petroleum exploration licence and written access arrangements are a mandatory requirement for exploration to be carried out.

“Any access undertaken without an access arrangement would be illegal,” Hartcher said.

He added the government actively ensured that exploration occurred according to the law.

EnergyNewsBulletin has confirmed that the NSW Department of Primary Industries is not currently aware of who sent the letter in question, and it was landholders who received the letter which tipped the department off.

The letter lists Hummingbird Mining Consultants as occupying Santos Place in Brisbane.

Source: Energy News Premium http://www.energynewspremium.net/StoryView.asp?StoryID=2489208 Friday, 16 September 2011

Apex sees minimal effect to operations following NSW Government announcement on “tough new conditions”

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -1000

The NSW Government has today made a Press Release (see insets) confirming the end of a 60 day moratorium on new Petroleum Exploration Licenses, whilst it undertook stakeholder consultation on concerns which have been raised about some aspects of the Coal Seam Gas Industry. Apex Energy has been engaged in the consultation process through the industry body, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), in working with government and other stakeholders to draft a range of new conditions and legislation for the CSG Industry. In many cases this has been only formalising what is already accepted as good Industry practices.

Following a review of the new conditions as announced by Minister Chris Hartcher, the Minister for Resources and Energy, Apex does not believe there will be any significant effect on its current operations. Apex Energy has always followed and plans to continue following the highest environmental management standards, regardless of areas where there may not have been specific regulation. The ban on the use of hydraulic fracturing in Coal Seam Gas until the end of the year may be a frustration for some CSG companies, however, as previously stated, Apex Energy has no intention to use the practice in its Illawarra and Burragorang areas. Therefore the ban has no effect on Apex’s plans.

The additional conditions announced have been supported by Apex Energy during the consultation process, including:

banning certain BTEX chemicals
large volume water licensing
a ban on evaporation ponds
requirements for an Agriculture Impact Statement on new projects.

The consultation process will continue for some time to address other matters still being considered and drafted. Apex believes that concerns which have been raised in the community as a result of some inaccurate and sensational reporting about some aspects of the Industry have been addressed during the consultative process. Apex also welcomes the announced initiative for the Government to provide new online resources so that communities have easier access to scientific facts and information thus enabling them to come to informed conclusions about exploration and mining activities. Whilst much of this information is currently available to the public through different web sites, it will make it far easier and more accessible if consolidated into a central access point.

Apex supports the consultative initiatives being undertaken by the NSW Government during these early days in office, and agrees with the statement made by Mr. Hartcher that “we understand there needs to be a balance between agricultural land and mining and we’re determined to get that balance right”.

NSW Government won't extend moratorium on mining exploration

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -1000

The NSW Government says it could be a year before its guidelines to protect agricultural land from mining are introduced.

Acting Premier Andrew Stoner has told the NSW Farmers' Association's annual conference that the Strategic Land Use Policy won't be finished for some time.

A 60-day moratorium on any new mining or exploration licences is due to end this week.

But Mr Stoner says that if the government extends the moratorium for the sake of agriculture, industry will suffer.

"This is a fine line that we need to walk. If we send a message to industry that nothing is going to go ahead in the state of NSW for 12 months, we'll have a lot of industry up and move offshore."

Apex hits back at claims of recent CSG beneficial law changes

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -1000

An Illawarra anti coal seam gas spokesperson has made claims on a radio show segment that laws have been recently changed to make life easier for the CSG industry.

Apex would like to clarify its position regarding its three Petrolium Exploration Licences (PEL's);

PEL 442 (Illawarra) was granted to Apex in February 2004,
PEL 444 (Illawarra) was granted to Apex in April 2003,
PEL 454 (Burragorang) was granted in March 2007.

All three PEL's have since been renewed by the Government of NSW and are current. All three PEL's were granted pursuant of Section 9 of the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991. See link below.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/pa1991224/s9.html

Apex's 15 well approved drilling project was granted in September 2009 under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979. Part 3A has since been repealed. See link below.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/epaaa1979389/

Landowner arrangements have been successfully negotiated by Apex for all 15 of its approved project sites in the Illawarra. These negotiations and the subsequent agreements were made pursuant to the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991. See link below.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/pa1991224/s108.html

Therefore the relevant legislation was enacted in 1991 and 1979. Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 has been repealed recently in favour of an alternative process. This change could not be the change referred to as it has no bearing on the Apex Illawarra project. The Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991 and its Regulation are currently under review but are still in place.

Therefore no legislation has been changed so as to make CSG activity easier for such companies as claimed by the Illawarra anti CSG representitive. This representitive was asked to provide proof of these alleged changes by the radio presenter and this was agreed. Apex awaits such proof with interest.

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