Farmers have been left frustrated by a response from the state government and independent GasFields Commission to issues raised on drilling techniques by coal seam gas giant Arrow Energy.
After receiving complaints from concerned farmers over the expansion of CSG in the region and reports of directional drilling, the department of resources released a two page fact sheet to address their concerns.
The fact sheet describes directional drilling as a 'preliminary activity' if the energy company determines there is no or minimal impact on the neighbouring property's land.
Directional drilling is the horizontal drilling on a property that can go underneath a neighbouring property without notifying a landholder beforehand.
Arrow Energy uses the term "deviated from the vertical" to describe these wells which it says are constructed in full compliance with Queensland code.
"Deviated wells traverse into neighbouring properties at depths greater than 200m below the surface and are only 8 1/2 inch bores (around 22cm)," a spokesman said.
"The location, trajectory and depth of these wells is such that they will not interfere with surface infrastructure or normal farming operations."
But Dalby landowner Zena Ronnfeldt said agricultural land on her farm boundary had begun "ponding" which she alleged was from drilling vertical CSG wells on neighbour's property.
Ms Ronnfeldt believed the ponding was caused by subsidence (the sinking of land) which occurs when gas was extracted from the earth and reduces pressure.
Her biggest concern was from newer wells on a neighbour's property. She said one had been dug underneath her property's 1200ml ring tank that she was never notified about.
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"There is no law to prevent Arrow Energy from digging underneath, they deem it safe and there's no regulatory body that Arrow have to go to before jeopardising our operation," she said.
"Who knows what damage digging under our irrigation can cause, not only for our water security but for the environment."
An Arrow Energy spokesman said it now provided entry notices to all relevant landowners and occupiers in respect of any deviated wells that traverse beneath the surface of their land.
They admitted mistakes were made in the early implementation of the model.
"In addition, Arrow has made improvements to its area wide planning process to ensure that there is early and ongoing transparent engagement about the potential location of all deviated wells that traverse across property boundaries, well in advance of receiving entry notices," the spokesman said.
"While Arrow has always been open about, and indeed proud of the co-existence benefits of, deviated wells to reduce surface impacts, we acknowledge that mistakes were made in the early implementation of that model and that we need to do better.
"That is why we have made the improvements to area wide planning and our processes for giving entry notices."
A group of farmers in Springvale, south of Dalby, have banded together to shed light on their situation and prevent energy companies from going underneath their properties.
Springvale landowner Celia Karp has opposed CSG from entering her property since the industry first emerged especially as her 350-hectare generational property relies on a single bore for all of its water.
"If we lose water, we can't support our business model that we've had since the late 1940s," she said.
"We fear that we're being kept in the dark, when we go to one department they refer you to the next, they're all hiding behind each other.
"We don't know what the impact will be to the environment in 20 years' time."
A spokesperson from the Department of Resources said they were working closely with other agencies and independent statutory bodies, such as the GasFields Commission Queensland, on the concerns raised by landholders relating to directional drilling.
"The department, together with the GasFields Commission, has reiterated to the gas industry their responsibilities under the land access framework and expectations around best practice engagement with landholders," a spokesperson said.
"This includes the importance of engaging early with landholders and in advance of an entry notice being issued.
"The fact sheet sets out the requirements for companies and landholders' rights in relation to directional drilling on adjacent land."
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