Hydrogeological and microbial controls on the isotope and molecular composition of coal seam gases and production waters of the Walloon Subgroup of the Surat Basin, Queensland, Australia

The coal bed methane produced from the Walloon Subgroup in the Surat Basin is an important but finite economic resource for Queensland and an understanding of the evolution of the water and gas is vital to the possible future microbial regeneration of this gas. This study aims to enhance the understanding of the microbial and geochemical evolution of co-produced waters and gases during gas extraction of the Walloon Subgroup in the Surat Basin. This will be achieved through geochemical and isotopic analysis of the co-produced water and gas from the production wells.

Advisors:  Prof Sue Golding, Dr Harald Hofmann, Ms Sue Vink