surface aquifers Poor quality water could hydrocarbon content (10 mg/L). and in the Amadeus Basin contaminate aquifer. (Northern Territory) (RPS 2011). Off-site disposal Risk partially transfers to Transportation costs may be Suitable depending on proximity In use. For example, AGL Camden facility licensed operator of large. to production areas and Gas Project (AGL 2012). disposal facility economics. No beneficial use, unless the water is treated and sold on. Agricultural use Livestock watering Beneficial use for regional May affect animal health and Suitable for certain livestock In use. For example, Energy industry production if water quality is not depending on quality and provides co-produced water to local suitable. proximity to production areas. beef cattle feedlots (Arrow Energy 2012a; RPS 2011). Irrigation Beneficial use for regional May affect soil structure and Dependent on water quality. In use (RPS 2011). industry crop yield. Treatment may make the water too expensive for farmers to use. Industrial use Coal mine use Beneficial use (e.g. dust transportation costs to coal Suitable depending on proximity In use. For example, Arrow Energy suppression, truck washing, operations. to production areas and provides untreated co-produced haul and pit road water) economics. water to the Wilkie Creek coal mine for its coal washing plant (Arrow Transport costs may be Opportunity to costs with Energy 2012a; RPS 2011). shared coal operator. Water cooling tower Beneficial use for regional May require water treatment or Suitable depending on proximity In use. For example, at the QGC industry capital expenditure for to production areas and Condamine Power station infrastructure conversion to economics. water is used for cooling Transport costs may be accommodate lower water and steam production (RPS 2011). shared quality. Fire protection Beneficial use for regional Requires storage facilities close Suitable depending on proximity communities to regional townships. to coal seam gas production areas and economics.
surface aquifers Poor quality water could contaminate aquifer. hydrocarbon content (10 mg/L). and in the Amadeus Basin (Northern Territory) (RPS 2011). Off-site disposal facility Risk partially transfers to licensed operator of disposal facility Transportation costs may be large. No beneficial use, unless the water is treated and sold on. Suitable depending on proximity to production areas and economics. In use. For example, AGL Camden Gas Project (AGL 2012). Agricultural use Livestock watering Beneficial use for regional industry May affect animal health and production if water quality is not suitable. Suitable for certain livestock depending on quality and proximity to production areas. In use. For example, Energy provides co-produced water to local beef cattle feedlots (Arrow Energy 2012a; RPS 2011). Irrigation Beneficial use for regional industry May affect soil structure and crop yield. Dependent on water quality. Treatment may make the water too expensive for farmers to use. In use (RPS 2011). Industrial use Coal mine use Beneficial use (e.g. dust suppression, truck washing, haul and pit road water) Transport costs may be shared transportation costs to coal operations. Suitable depending on proximity to production areas and economics. Opportunity to costs with coal operator. In use. For example, Arrow Energy provides untreated co-produced water to the Wilkie Creek coal mine for its coal washing plant (Arrow Energy 2012a; RPS 2011). Water cooling tower Beneficial use for regional industry Transport costs may be shared May require water treatment or capital expenditure for infrastructure conversion to accommodate lower water quality. Suitable depending on proximity to production areas and economics. In use. For example, at the QGC Condamine Power station water is used for cooling and steam production (RPS 2011). Fire protection Beneficial use for regional communities Requires storage facilities close to regional townships. Suitable depending on proximity to coal seam gas production areas and economics.
background-review-co-produced-water.docx