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Cougar speeds up UCG project
Monday, 21 July 2008

UNDERGROUND coal gasification company, Cougar Energy, has accelerated its progress for the Kingaroy UCG and power station project in Queensland, announcing further corporate and technical developments on Friday.

Courgar Energy managing director Len Walker.

In a company release, managing director Dr Len Walker said new senior staff appointments, establishment of a Brisbane office and ongoing field activity marked the start of a new phase of the company’s progress towards the successful commercial development of UCG technology.

He said the company expects to start a new drilling program at the site of the Kingaroy pilot burn in mid August and carry out additional drilling to expand the coal resource.

“This program will be focused on detailed characterisation work at the site selected for the pilot burn, including the installation of groundwater pressure and water sampling bores, in-situ pump testing, and the installation of the first three injection and production wells,” he added.

The company also appointed Rodney Watson as joint secretary and chief accountant to ensure it is well equipped to handle the rapid expansion over the coming years.

“Watson, who will be based at Cougar’s corporate head office in Melbourne, has formal economics and business qualifications, and has more than 12 years audit, accounting and company secretarial experience,” Walker said.

“He brings to Cougar Energy the appropriate financial control mechanisms on a full-time basis, to ensure that the company is well equipped to handle its rapid expansion over the coming years.

“Our current company secretary, Andrew Metcalfe, will continue to provide secretarial services for an appropriate time to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibilities.”

Cougar has also created a new Kingaroy Project manager position to oversee the project through its technical design and approval processes, and is opening an office in Brisbane as a base for project development.