Major Projects
The Western Downs is part of a broader region that is on the cusp of a $100 billion energy industry emerging from the resource rich Surat Basin Energy province. The region has over 47 major projects scheduled for commissioning by 2013, creating an estimated 12,500 jobs.
Leveraging of the energy sector investment in the region will ensure long term economic growth. This includes opportunities to work with and supply projects, power station sector needs and the potential to establish new industries.
View Southern QLD Map of Current Resource Operations & Developments
View Surat Basin Map of Current Resource Operations & Developments
View Southern QLD Map of Advanced Exploration Projects
Information on major developments in the Western Downs region can be sourced through the links to energy sector websites or by downloading a Western Downs Regional Council project factsheet.
Please search the list below for details on a number of major projects planned for the region;
Andrew and Lauren Project
The Andrew and Lauren Projects cover an area of 7910km2 and have a combined inferred coal source of 126Mt, comprised of 44Mt for Andrew and 82Mt for Lauren.
Click here to visit the project website
Andrew & Lauren Project Factsheet
Arrow Surat Pipeline
The Arrow Surat Pipeline (formerly the Surat-Gladstone Pipeline) forms part of the Arrow LNG Project. The Arrow Surat Pipeline will connect Arrow's vast coal seam gas resources in the Surat Basin with a proposed liquified natural gas (LNG) facility in Gladstone.
The chosen route heads generally north from the Kogan area through the local government areas of Dalby, Banana, North Burnett and Gladstone. The route continues to the west of the Barakula State Forest to the north of Chinchilla.
Click here to visit the project website
Arrow Surat Pipeline Factsheet
Australian Pacific LNG
Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) is proposing a coal seam gas (CSG) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) development project in Queensland. Australia Pacific LNG has Australia’s largest CSG reserves position and is well placed to enable the creation of a world-class, long-term industry in Queensland.
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Australia Pacific LNG Factsheet
Bloodwood Creek UCG Project
Carbon Energy have developed the world's first commercial scale, oxygen-injected Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) facility, based at Bloodwood Creek 55 kilometres west of Dalby. In January 2009 the company announced that it had produced a variety of synthesis gas (syngas) suitable for use in the production of high value chemicals such as ammonia and methanol.
Carbon Energy are now seeking to expand production by developing an open cut coal mine, a large scale syngas production facility using underground coal gasification (UCG) and an electrical power generation station. The UCG site would cover an area around one square kilometre and consume approximately 2 million tonnes of coal a year over an expected 30 year period.
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Bloodwood Creek UCG Project Factsheet
Braemar 1 Power Station Project
Braemar 1 is an integrated 504MW open-cycle, gas-fired power station and 150km high-pressure gas pipeline network. Completed in 2006, it is expected to operate through to 2036.
It is located 40km southwest of Dalby in Queensland, adjacent to the QLD-NSW high voltage transmission Interconnector and Powerlink 320/274 kV Substation.
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Braemar 1 Power Station Project Factsheet
Braemar 2 Power Station Project
Braemar 2 is an integrated, 450MW open-cycle, gas-fired power station and 110km high-pressure gas pipeline network. The power station was completed safely on time and budget in June 2009.
It is located 40km southwest of Dalby in Queensland, adjacent to the QLD-NSW high voltage transmission Interconnector and Powerlink 320/274 kV Substation. Braemar 2 provides three per cent of the combined electricity requirements of Queensland and New South Wales.
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Braemar 2 Power Station Project Factsheet
Braemar 3 Power Station Project
Plans are well advanced for the establishment of an integrated, 520MW open-cycle gas-fired power station and high pressure gas pipeline network.
The Braemar 3 power station will be located 40km southwest of Dalby in Queensland, adjacent to the QLD-NSW High Voltage Transmission Interconnector, Power Link 320/274 kV Substation, and ERM's previously developed Braemar 1 and Braemar 2 power stations.
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Braemar 3 Power Station Project Factsheet
Braemar to Kumbarilla Park Transmission Project
QGC has requested Powerlink identify and acquire easements for a 275kV transmission line to run between Powerlink’s Braemar Substation and a new substation to be developed at Kumbarilla Park. This high voltage transmission line will supply QGC’s gas compression facility, which is currently under development at their Ruby site on Kumbarilla Park, west of Dalby.
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Braemar to Kumbarilla Park Transmission Project Factsheet
Bundi Coal Project
MetroCoal Limited is proposing to develop the Bundi Coal Mine in the Surat Basin, approximately 20km southwest of Wandoan. The mine has a predicted life of 22 years including two years construction starting in 2013.
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Bundi Coal Project Factsheet
Cameby Downs Mine Project
Developed by Syntech Resources Pty Ltd, the Cameby Downs Mine covers an area of approximately 13,370ha and is located approximately 17km north-east of Miles. Construction has been completed and mining operations commenced in mid 2010.
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Cameby Downs Mine Project Factsheet
Cameby Downs Expansion Project
The Cameby Downs Expansion Project proposes to increase the rate of mining of run of mine (ROM) coal from 1.8 million tonnes a year to up to 25Mt/y. Th eproject includes expansion of the existing Coal Handling and Processing Plant (CHPP) and open cut mining of coal on additional adjacent Mining Leases. The mine life is estimated at around 40 years.
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Cameby Downs Mine Expansion Project Factsheet
Chinchilla LNG Plant
Queensland Gas Company and the BOC group have signed a deal to develop a liquefied natural gas plant worth $A100 million at Chinchilla in Southern Queensland. This is the first plant in Australia to convert coal seam methane gas to liquefied natural gas, forming the final link in a national chain of LNG refuelling stations being developed across the country by BOC.
The micro-LNG plant is to be built next to QGC's Kumbarilla Park CSG fuelled power station and will have a production capacity of 50 tonnes daily, equivalent to 70,000 litres of conventional diesel.
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Chinchilla LNG Plant Factsheet
Columboola JV Project
Columboola is a joint venture project between MetroCoal and SinoCoal Resources, the Australian subsidiary of China Coal Import & Export Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of China National Coal Group Corp (China Coal). The joint venture is proposing to develop a mining operation at Columboola with an export capacity of 5Mt per year and an initial production target of 2015/16.
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Columboola JV Project Factsheet
Columboola to Wandoan South Transmission Project
Rapid and continuing growth in the Western Downs area means additional electricity infrastructure will be needed in the near future. Joint planning between Powerlink and Ergon Energy has identified that Powerlink needs to construct a new 275kV high voltage transmission line between Ergon Energy’s existing Columboola Switching Station (located approximately 9km east of Miles), and a proposed new substation, to be known as Wandoan South, in the Woleebee area south-west of Wandoan.
A new 100m wide easement will be required to cater for both this proposed new transmission line, which meets the region's forecast electricity demands, with additional space for a future line when required to meet longer-term electricity needs in the region. This project is the first stage of a broader plan to extend the existing high voltage electricity transmission network into the growing region.
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Columboola to Wandoan South Transmission Project Factsheet
Columboola to Western Downs Transmission Project
Joint planning between Powerlink and Ergon Energy has identified that Powerlink needs to construct a new 275kV high voltage transmission line between Western Downs Substation near Kogan Creek Power Station (20km north of Kogan), and a proposed substation (to be known as Columboola East) adjacent to, and connecting to, Ergon Energy’s existing Columboola Switching Station (located approximately 9km east of Miles on the Warrego Highway).
A new 100m wide easement will be required to cater for both this proposed transmission line, which meets the forecast electricity demands of the Western Downs region of South West Queensland, with additional space for a future line when required to meet longer-term electricity needs in the region.
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Columboola to Western Downs Transmission Project Factsheet
Condamine Power Station
Queensland Gas Company (QGC), a British Gas (BG) Group business, operates the recently built Condamine Power Station near Miles on the western Darling Downs. The station is 8 kilometres east of Miles on the south side of the Warrego Highway. It is the world’s first combined-cycle power station to run entirely on coal seam gas (CSG). Austrian Energy and Siemens signed a construction contract for the project which began in October 2007 and was completed 2009.
Click here to visit the project website
Condamine Power Station Factsheet
Coopers Gap Wind Farm Project
Coopers Gap Wind Farm is a proposed 500MW wind power station in the Bilboa and Cooranga North region, approximately 50 km west of Kingaroy and 65 km north of Dalby, Queensland. A 60m wind monitoring mast was installed in March 2006 in order to accurately measure wind speed and direction in the area.
The proposed wind farm will consist of up to 132 turbines extending across a series of ridge lines within the proposed site with a total generation capacity of up to 400MW. The wind turbines proposed will be approximately 135m in height from the tower base to the tip of the blade. The tower will be approximately 80m high, and the blades approximately 52 metres in length with a rotor diameter of 104 metres.
The electricity generated from each turbine will be transmitted via underground or above ground cabling to a central cable marshalling point at the on site substation, which will be located next to the 220kv or 132kv power lines that run through the site area. The sub station will then connect directly into the grid network on site. The construction cost of the project will be up to $1billion.
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Coopers Gap Wind Farm Project Factsheet
Darling Downs Power Station
The new Darling Downs Power Station will take advantage of the rich source of Coal Seam Gas (CSG) reserves held by Origin in south west Queensland, predominantly in the area around Roma and Chinchilla.
On 12 June 2007, Origin committed to a construction contract worth $780 million over approximately three years to build the 630MW gas-fired power station – the biggest combined cycle power station in Australia. This will produce enough power to supply the equivalent of 400,000 Queensland homes.
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Darling Downs Power Station Project Factsheet
Elimatta Project
Taroom Coal Proprietary Limited (Taroom Coal), a wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Energy Corporation, is the proponent of the proposed Elimatta Project. The project site is situated within the Western Downs Regional Council area, approximately 35 kilometres west of Wandoan and 380 kilometres north-west of Brisbane in south-east Queensland. The target commencement date for production is mid 2014 and the mine would be expected to operate for more than 25 years.
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Elimatta Project Factsheet
UCG-GTL Project
Linc Energy's Chinchilla Demostration Facility has set the scene for greater energy security having proven that coal, from deep underground, can be gassified to crete synthesis gas (known as syngas). The GTL technology at this facility works to produce syncrude (which requires refinement to create diesel and other liquid fuel products) from UCG syngas.
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UCG-GTL Project Factsheet
Glen Wilga Project
Tarong Energy Corporation Limited have established the Chinchilla East Coal Project to develop the Glen Wilga and Haystack Road coal deposits in the Surat Basin of South East Queensland. The project involves development of the Glen Wilga deposit initially, with the information gained from the feasibility work, design, construction and initial mining operation being used to further the exploration, planning and development of the Haystack Road deposit.
The Project encompasses development works on EPC 468 (mining operation) and EPCs 585 and 700 (coal handling and processing and infrastructure). Mining Lease Application (50157, 50158, 50159) have been submitted for the project covering portions of all three EPCs.
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Glen Wilga Project Factsheet
Ironbark Project
Origin Energy has launched its $1.5 billion Ironbark Project which will result in the Western Downs Region housing one of the biggest domestically-focussed coal seam gas developments in Australia. Located near Tara, the project will cover an area of 72,300 hectares and is currently in the early stage of the environmental approval process.
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Ironbark Project Factsheet
Juandah Project
The Juandah Project, 23km south-west of Wandoan, is in an area identified by tenement holder, MetroCoal, as containing substantial undergored coal suitable for UCG. The Project has exceeded initial expectations and has more than sufficient resources required to support a major UCG project.
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Juandah Project Factsheet
Kenya to Goondiwindi Pipeline
ERM Power Pty Ltd is proposing to construct an underground gas transmission pipeline from approximately 15km south-east of Goondiwindi to a site known as 'Wambo' near the Roma to Brisbane Pipeline valve station. The pipeline will be approximately 205km from start to finish.
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Kenya to Goondiwindi Pipeline Factsheet
Kogan Creek Mine
The Kogan Creek Mine delivers approximately 2.8 million tonnes of coal per year to the Kogan Creek Power Station via a four kilometre overland conveyor (equates to 8,000 tonnes per day). The power station has a capacity of 750 megawatts and operates as a baseload generator, providing electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. First coal was uncovered at the mine in November 2006 and in May 2007 deliveries to the power station commenced.
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Kogan Creek Mine Factsheet
Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project
Queensland is set to be home to the world-leading Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project, the largest solar thermal project in the southern hemisphere. The $98 million project will incorporate solar thermal technology into CS Energy's Kogan Creek Power Station near Dalby in south west Queensland.
The solar thermal addition is expected to increase the station's capacity by up to 44 megawatts under peak solar conditions and improve plant fuel efficiency.
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Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project Factsheet
Norwood Coal Mine Project
MetroCoal Limited is proposing to develop the Norwood Coal Mine in the Surat Basin, approximately 30km southwest of Wandoan. The mine has a predicted life of 22 years including two years construction starting in 2015.
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Norwood Coal Mine Project Factsheet
Queensland Curtis LNG
Queensland Curtis LNG is a priority project of QGC, a BG Group business, to develop Queensland coal seam gas for Australian and international markets. The Project will be one of Australia’s largest capital projects and will have significant economic benefits for Australia and in particular for Queensland.
Key elements of the proposed project involve:
• an expansion of QGC’s exploration and gas production operations in the Surat Basin;
• a 380km underground pipeline to Gladstone on the central Queensland coast;
• up to 400 kilometres of gas and water pipeline network connecting the primary gas fields;
• a LNG processing plant on Curtis Island, near Gladstone;
Click here to visit the project website
Queensland Curtis LNG Factsheet
Queensland Methane JV Project
Cougar Energy Limited and a company associated with Australia Petroleum Ltd. have executed a terms sheet for a proposed 50:50 joint venture for the conversion of underground coal gasification (UCG) syngas to methane.
The Queensland Methane Joint Venture will undertake:
• the assessment of the underground coal gasification (UCG) potential of Cougar Energy’s coal deposit within EPC 1118 at Wandoan for the purposes of producing methane gas;
• the pilot burn at Wandoan using oxygen injection to demonstrate the production of UCG gas suitable for conversion to methane; and
• the development of a methane production facility and potentially an LNG production facility.
Click here to visit the project website
Queensland Methane JV Project Factsheet
SunState GTL Project
The SunState project, located between Miles and Chinchilla, is one of two projects now underway by Pacific GTL as it moves to take a lead role in creating Australia's gas to liquids industry using coal seam methane as feedstock. The project is set to produce 17,000 barrels per day of refined product.
SunState GTL Project Factsheet
Surat Basin Rail JV Project
Planning is continuing for an open-access, multi-use rail link that aims to facilitate the export of coal and freight through to the Port of Gladstone. Proposed as a major new 210km railway, the Project will connect the Western Railway System near Wandoan with the Moura Railway System, near Banana.
The Project will significantly enhance the existing rail transport network and improve opportunities to develop the coal rich Surat Basin.
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Surat Basin Rail JV Project Factsheet
Surat Gas Project
Arrow Energy plans to expand its operations in Queensland’s Surat Basin with a major coal seam gas exploration, development and production project.
The proposed Surat Gas Project is expected to meet the growing demand for gas supplies to both domestic and potential export markets. Areas covered by the Project include Arrow’s existing gas production fields at Tipton West, Daandine, Stratheden and Kogan North near Dalby, and a broader area extending from Wandoan to Dalby and south to Millmerran and Goondiwindi, in which Arrow holds petroleum tenure and environmental approvals for exploration.
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Surat Gas Project Factsheet
The Range Project
The Range is one of seven projects planned by Stanmore Coal and the only one located in the Surat Basin. Covering an area of 96km2, The Range is situated approximately 24km from the planned Wandoan rail head which will form part of the Surat Basin Rail JV Provect. Drilling to date indicates the potential for a medium sized open pit coal mine with an expected life of 18 years.
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The Range Project Factsheet
Wandoan Coal Project
The Wandoan Coal Project has been established to investigate the possibility of opening an open-cut thermal coal mine immediately west of the Wandoan township in Queensland.
The project is being developed by Xstrata Coal Queensland and funded through a joint venture between Xstrata Coal Queensland (75% ownership), ICRA (Itochu) Pty Ltd (12.5% ownership) and Sumisho Coal Australia (12.5% ownership).
It is anticipated that the mine would include an open-cut coal mine, a coal handling and preparation plant and support facilities. The proposed mining area covers approximately 32,000 hectares and the construction phase will take two to three years with a start date announced once all regulatory approvals have been received.
The Wandoan mine is expected to produce up to 30 million run of mine tonnes of coal and has an expected life of more than 30 years. The coal will be crushed, sized and washed at the handling and preparation plant prior to being transported by rail to port facilities at Gladstone for domestic and export use.
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Wandoan Coal Project Factsheet
Wandoan Power Project
The Wandoan Power Project has been shortlisted for the next stage of the federal government’s Carbon Capture and Storage Flagship Program, receiving funding to progress the project to the feasibility study stage.
The project is being developed by the Wandoan Power Consortium, which comprises Stanwell and global energy company GE Energy. The Wandoan Power Consortium is working in cooperation with Xstrata Coal to develop the proposed project's long-term coal supply and CO2 storage (sequestration) solutions.
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Wandoan Power Project Factsheet
Western Downs to Halys Transmission Project
The proposed Western Downs Substation is the first phase of the Western Downs to Halys transmission project, and is needed to ensure a reliable supply of high voltage electricity is maintained to Southern Queensland. Powerlink has appointed specialist environmental consultant RPS (formerly Conics) to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project.
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Western Downs to Halys Transmission Project Factsheet
Wilkie Creek Expansion Project
Wilkie Creek mine is located in the Surat Basin of south-east Queensland. Mining commenced in 1994, with Peabody acquiring the operation in 2005. Current production rate is 2.35 million tonnes of low sulphur, low nitrogen, and environmentally superior thermal coal.
The open-cut operation utilises excavators, loaders, dozers and trucks to mine the coal. Product coal is then railed 250 kilometres to the Port of Brisbane to be exported to Japan, Taiwan and Korea for use in the power generation industry.
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Wilkie Creek Expansion Project Factsheet
Woori Coal Project
The proponent for the Woori Coal Mine proposal is Surat Coal Pty Ltd (SCPL), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cockatoo Coal Limited (CCL). The Woori project is situated in the Surat Basin immediately west of the township of Guluguba, approximately 300km northwest of Brisbane and 15km south of Wandoan on Mineral Development Lease 187.
The proposed open cut coal mine would produce an initial rate of 3 million tonnes a year (Mt/y) run of mine (ROM) thermal coal for export. The project would ramp up to 6 Mt/y within one year of the start. Coal would be crushed, sized and washed on site by a coal handling and processing plant, and transported by rail to the Port of Gladstone. The mine life would be approximately 15 years.
The water supply may be sourced from a number of options including the proposed Nathan Dam, the proposed raising of the Glebe Weir or associated water from coal seam gas extraction. The power supply would be from a 33kV line from Chinchilla and an additional 132kV line from Miles.
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Woori Coal Project Factsheet