Underground » Geology
The aim of this two year research project was to develop new and improved seismic methods to image coal seams in areas where the seismic method has had a poor performance history (often referred to as 'seismic no-go areas').
Three areas were defined for study: The Bowen Basin, the Sydney Basin and the Collie Basin. Apart from the ACA, this project had support from the Minerals and Energy Research Institute of WA (MERIWA), BHP Steel (Colliers Division), BHP Australia Coal, Shell Company, Wambo Mining, Griffin Coal and Western Collieries.
Field work was carried out in the Bowen Basin at Moranbah (Shell), Wards Well (BHP Coal); in the Sydney Basin at Dartbrook mine site (Shell) and at Warkworth (Wambo); and in the Collie Basin (Griffin Coal and Western Collieries) Other Sydney Basin data were recorded by BHP Collieries and processed at Curtin.
This project is considered as highly successful since all areas tested proved that, given the correct parameters, seismic methods could be used to provide an image of the seams. This project has led to the establishment of new ideas which are to be developed further.
Additional funding from ACA and a new syndicate will enable the further development of techniques for improving seismic data. In particular a new down-hole three component tool is to be developed for use beneath basalts and tertiary cover.