As notified in an earlier post, I attempted to speak to Dr Peter Stone of CSIRO (http://www.csiro.au/people/Peter.Stone.html) about claims he made about UCG on a radio broadcast last week. Dr Stone said that fraccing was used in both UCG and CSG, but was used to an even greater degree in UCG.
Hear the audio here. http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2011/09/what-is-the-difference-between-ucg-and-csg-is-one-better-than-the-other.html
A CSIRO 'communicator', Mr Peter McGough, called me back this week to say that his enquiries had revealed that while fraccing has not been used so far in any of the UCG pilot plants in Australia, it *is* used in UCG internationally. I enquired what evidence he could produce for saying that, to which he replied that it has been written up in the scientific literature. I then advised my interest in seeing the evidence for that. Mr McGough undertook to send me details of the relevant publications. Meantime I suggested that CSIRO publish a correction of its statement, incorrect as it applies locally. I further explained that the UCG industry is already having enough trouble establishing its credentials in the public mind - due to its being lumped in with CSG and all its bad press - without the national science flagship adding to the misinformation and resultant confusion. (I'm not holding my breath waiting for the correction.)
For those interested, watch this space. I'll keep you posted.
Those who can't wait, please call CSIRO on 1300 363 400 or 03 9545 2176.
CXY Price at posting:
1.4¢ Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held
