Australia's energy challenge: balancing renewables and gas optimisation

As Australia accelerates its transition to renewable energy, the country still grapples with the pressing need to optimise its existing gas production fields to meet rising global energy demands. The industry is exploring innovative methods, such as Enhanced Gas Recovery (EGR) techniques, to boost production efficiency. Yet, these efforts are hampered by a range of challenges, including high costs, technical complexities, and stringent environmental regulations.

Cameron Grant, Chief Commercial Officer at STRYDE, highlighted the importance of optimising onshore gas fields, which, despite their smaller size compared to offshore basins, hold significant potential for both domestic and international markets. “Addressing the challenges related to EGR techniques requires financial prudence, careful planning, technical expertise, and effective risk management to ensure the success and sustainability of enhanced gas recovery projects,” said Grant.

Obtaining work permits for these projects is no small feat, requiring navigation through a complex regulatory landscape governed by Federal, State, and Territory Governments, as well as industry authorities. This multi-layered regulatory environment often leads to delays and uncertainty, further complicating efforts to optimise gas production. Additionally, permits must address landowner, environmental, and social concerns, necessitating thorough environmental impact assessments and community consultations.

To tackle these challenges, collaboration among government entities, developers, operators, supply chain stakeholders, environmental advocates, and local communities is crucial. Consensus on viable solutions that prioritise environmental preservation while enabling sustainable resource exploitation is essential for progress.

One promising solution that has emerged is the use of seismic data, which offers an affordable and environmentally friendly approach to reservoir optimisation. Recent technological advancements have made it possible for companies to obtain high-definition subsurface images with minimal environmental impact and at a lower cost than previously possible.

This is where Pad3D enters the picture. Brendon Mitchell, Managing Director of Oceania Geo, explained the benefits of this bespoke production enhancement solution, which leverages STRYDE’s cutting-edge seismic technology. “Using high-quality seismic to de-risk production optimisation is a no-brainer. It costs approximately AUD$100k-$250k to acquire seismic data for a 3-5 square kilometer multi-well pad development, where horizontal wells cost $2 million or more each,” Mitchell stated.

Pad3D delivers rapid drill-ready subsurface images, enabling time-critical drilling decisions with a minimal environmental footprint. At the core of this solution is the STRYDE Node™, the smallest and most cost-effective seismic sensor on the market. This wireless technology is designed for deployment in any land setting, allowing companies to quickly survey areas with existing infrastructure while minimising land disturbance.

Mitchell noted that sensitive environments, constrained by cultural heritage regulations or limited land access, have historically posed challenges in obtaining seismic data. These challenges often resulted in sparse acquisition, irregular geometries, and added complexities in processing and interpretation. However, by deploying a greater number of receiver devices at a comparable cost to traditional surveys, it is now possible to achieve denser seismic coverage with reduced environmental impact, eliminating blind spots and enhancing the accuracy of subsurface images.

Pad3D was recently piloted in collaboration with STRYDE and Earth Signal Processing for Galilee Energy. The pilot demonstrated the viability of acquiring small footprint 3D seismic surveys using lower-cost and lower-environmental-impact technology for well planning and field optimisation in Australia. The project delivered high-resolution 3D imaging, completed field operations in just seven days with a small crew, and maintained a strong focus on reducing health, safety, and environmental (HSE) risks.

The pilot’s success has set a new standard for production optimisation in Australia’s gas fields. “The final data resolution surpassed expectations, staying comfortably within budget constraints, and successfully navigating the intricacies of an innovative yet technically complex basin design,” Mitchell said.

Beyond oil and gas, STRYDE and Oceania Geo’s seismic technology is opening new exploration opportunities in Australia’s renewable sector, including mining and geothermal energy. This dual focus on maximising hydrocarbon recovery and exploring renewable energy options highlights Australia’s balanced approach to meeting its energy needs in a rapidly evolving global landscape.