The University of Queensland has created a $20 million partnership between industry, government and researchers to initiate and operate the new Centre for Coal Seam Gas (CCSG). The funding of up to $20 million has been committed by Queensland, QGC, Santos and Arrow Energy to operate the centre for the first five years.

The CCSG will harness capability from UQ and other academic collaborators and be hosted by UQ's Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI).

 

The CCSG will be guided by a Strategic Advisory Board that will include industry, university, State Government and Queensland Water Commission (QWC) representation.

The Board will establish priorities, determine activities that will be resourced and monitor and communicate all outcomes.

 

SMI Director, Professor Chris Moran, said UQ had expressions of interest from several other potential partners.


“Like all work under the SMI, the Centre will have a strong focus on sustainability with production, people and environmental issues all considered.”

“The Centre will be a great positive for students and researchers, who will get to interact with industry and have on-site experiences as part of their educational or research programs.”

SMI's funding has been modelled on government and industry support since its founding in 2001.

The CCSG aims to be the pre-eminent global authority on vital issues relating to CSG within 10 years. It will draw on the capabilities from some 16 Schools and Centres across UQ.

It has been working with other universities in Australia and has held talks with international universities in the UK and US to discuss future collaborations in the CSG and broader unconventional gas areas.

To expand the CCSG capabilities, UQ will recruit five new Professorial Chairs, including a new Centre Director as well as the treatment and utilisation of coal seam water, petroleum engineering, geosciences, and the industry's social performance and community impact.