How CSG is produced

The initial phase of CSG production involves the extraction of water from the coal seams in order to reduce water pressure and release gas from the coal.

Drilling rigs are used to drill a well between 200 and 1,000 metres deep to source the gas. The drill hole is usually 8.5 inches (22cm) in diameter.

If the coal seams have low permeability, they can be fractured (by pumping water and sand into the formation) to increase the rate of gas flow from the coal seams.

Production wells extract the gas and are connected by underground water and gas pipelines called 'gathering systems' to a main processing facility.

The gas and water extracted from the wells is separated. The gas is compressed at a central compressor station before being distributed via a high-pressure pipeline. The water is usually stored in specially constructed, lined water storage reservoirs.

We use reverse osmosis technology to treat the water and make it suitable for a variety of uses after the extraction process.

Watch The Journey of CSG

Explore the CSG fact sheet