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Solid Energy drills for coal seam gas in inland Taranaki
18 February 2010 - Solid Energy is extending its coal seam gas exploratory drilling programme in inland Taranaki to focus on an area around 70 km from Stratford.
Sources: Solid Energy and Lindsay Clark
Three exploration holes will be drilled in PEP 38614 in the Tahora – Tangarakau area during February and March. A single drill rig, similar to those used for water well drilling, will carry out the work with the permission of individual landowners and consents from the Stratford District Council.
The drilling will further define Solid Energy’s coal resources and the potential for coal seam gas. Four similar exploration holes were previously drilled by Solid Energy in the Taranaki near Mt Damper and Waitaanga last winter.
Coal seam gas occurs naturally in coal seams and is estimated to have the potential to add 5% to 10% to New Zealand’s gas supply.
Solid Energy has been investigating coal seam gas as a source of energy since 2005. It has successfully generated electricity using a gas generator from a six well appraisal site in the Waikato.
Related links
Coal seam gas - 2010 NZ petroleum conference - Solid Energy
