More than 150 samples were collected from the site and sent away for independent testing in order to inform a development and rehabilitation plan, which the company needs to gain commercial application approval from the Queensland government.

The samples will provide key inputs to the development of a comprehensive risk-based rehabilitation plan, if rehabilitation is required.

The company expects it will be able to hand the decommissioning report and rehabilitation plan to the government by the end of September this year, marking the final step towards Carbon being able to commercialise its keyseam UCG technology.

The drilling program at the site took in more than 800m spread over four locations, sending one drillhole into the cavity, two near to the cavity and one background drillhole.

“We have undertaken a drilling and testing program as part of the approval process established by the Queensland government on the recommendation of the Independent Scientific Panel,” Carbon Energy CEO Morne Engelbrecht said.

“The results will demonstrate the environmental safety of the final stage of the lifecycle, after the ISP concluded in their report that the other stages of the lifecycle of our unique technology could be undertaken in an environmentally safe and socially acceptable manner.

“We are now close to finalising our decommissioning report and rehabilitation plan, which is the culmination of the keyseam commercialisation approval process and are working cooperatively with the state government towards the creation of a safe, new and vibrant industry that will supply much-needed gas.

“We are committed to unlocking the significant commercial value of this project for our shareholders and to making an important contribution to the Queensland economy.”

The company plans to build a commercial UCG facility at the 1362-petajoule certified 2P syngas Bloodwood Creek reserve.