It has also been the only company with a UCG pilot to meet all the key recommendations of the government-appointed Independent Scientific Panel into UCG.
Dr Geoff Garrett, who led the formal peer review process of the ISP, also recognised the company’s CSIRO-developed innovative keyseam technology was different from that of other technologies employed, stating “it is clear that Carbon Energy has contributed to the collective understanding of UCG and the conditions under which the operation is likely to be both safe and successful”
Carbon said the acknowledgment should help pave the way for expedited commercialisation of the company’s technology in other jurisdictions.
The company has spent more than $150 million to date.
The acknowledgement does not reverse the state government’s decision to ban UCG in Queensland.
It does, however, recognise the success of keyseam technology in meeting the rigorous assessment parameters set out by the state.