Published Friday, 30 November, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Drilling deep in the Denison Trough for clean coal solutions
Acting Mines and Energy Minister John Mickel said today that test drilling had begun, deep in the Northern Denison Trough in Central Queensland, in the search for clean coal solutions.
Minister Mickel said the ZeroGen project, if successful, could become the first in the world to combine coal gasification with carbon capture and storage, to produce electricity with low CO2 emissions.
“It’s all about smarter, cleaner power,” Mr Mickel said.
“Coal will be converted into gas to generate power. ZeroGen intends to build a demonstration power plant close to the Stanwell power station near Rockhampton.
“The CO2 emissions will be captured at the site, transported and stored underground in deep reservoirs in the Northern Denison Trough around Emerald,” he said.
ZeroGen is being developed in partnership with government-owned corporation Stanwell. The State Government has provided more than $100 million for the feasibility stage. Up to $300 million will be made available depending on the outcome of the studies.
Minister Mickel said ZeroGen started test drilling in the Northern Denison Trough as part of a feasibility study.
“Two wells have already been drilled to depths of up to two kilometres to evaluate the geology of the area. Work has started on a third well in a search for an underground storage reservoir,” he said.
“ZeroGen has the potential to help combat climate change by making deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. It could capture up to 75 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in its demonstration plant.
“It could capture and store up to 420,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. That’s equivalent to taking 93,000 cars off the road for a year.
“ZeroGen is making steady progress and is now trying to identify deep underground reservoirs in the Northern Denison Trough, where it could safely store carbon dioxide.
“ZeroGen expects to provide jobs for 700 workers during construction and around 150 permanent jobs during its operation.
“It’ll be a win for the environment and a win for workers,” Mr Mickel said.
Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819
Chris Brown 3237 1944
Minister Mickel said the ZeroGen project, if successful, could become the first in the world to combine coal gasification with carbon capture and storage, to produce electricity with low CO2 emissions.
“It’s all about smarter, cleaner power,” Mr Mickel said.
“Coal will be converted into gas to generate power. ZeroGen intends to build a demonstration power plant close to the Stanwell power station near Rockhampton.
“The CO2 emissions will be captured at the site, transported and stored underground in deep reservoirs in the Northern Denison Trough around Emerald,” he said.
ZeroGen is being developed in partnership with government-owned corporation Stanwell. The State Government has provided more than $100 million for the feasibility stage. Up to $300 million will be made available depending on the outcome of the studies.
Minister Mickel said ZeroGen started test drilling in the Northern Denison Trough as part of a feasibility study.
“Two wells have already been drilled to depths of up to two kilometres to evaluate the geology of the area. Work has started on a third well in a search for an underground storage reservoir,” he said.
“ZeroGen has the potential to help combat climate change by making deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. It could capture up to 75 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in its demonstration plant.
“It could capture and store up to 420,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. That’s equivalent to taking 93,000 cars off the road for a year.
“ZeroGen is making steady progress and is now trying to identify deep underground reservoirs in the Northern Denison Trough, where it could safely store carbon dioxide.
“ZeroGen expects to provide jobs for 700 workers during construction and around 150 permanent jobs during its operation.
“It’ll be a win for the environment and a win for workers,” Mr Mickel said.
Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819
Chris Brown 3237 1944