5th IEA Unconventional Gas Forum

Background

‌The 5th IEA Unconventional Gas Forum (UG Forum) taking place in Brisbane on Febrary 24th 2017, will cover key issues of interest both for producers of unconventional gas – particularly coalbed methane – and the communities in which they are located, as well as all those with a stake in the outlook for LNG as sellers or buyers.

‌Australia is a major force in the twin revolutions that are re-shaping global gas markets; large scale LNG has been established and growing since the 1990s on the North West shelf, fuelled by offshore conventional gas resources. Additionally, based on rising production of coal seam gas (also known internationally as coalbed methane), three major LNG facilities have started operation in Queensland. These three plants are a major part of the expansion of capacity that will soon see Australia rivalling Qatar as the world’s largest exporter of LNG.

As in the case of other types of unconventional gas, production of coalbed methane gives rise to a number of social and environmental concerns, which have to be adequately addressed to avoid major implications for local communities, land use and water resources.

The objective of this forum is to enable governments around the globe to share insights, alongside input from industry and other key stakeholders, on operational best practices and regulatory action towards securing the economic, security and other benefits of increasing unconventional gas output..

Agenda

Opening & Welcome addresses

Remarks by:

The Hon. Matthew CANAVAN, Minister for Natural Resources and Northern Australia
Fatih BIROL, Executive Director, International Energy Agency
Andrew GARNETT, Director, Centre for Coal Seam Gas, University of Queensland

Session 1: Coalbed methane & unconventional gas in a low-price environment

Session 2: Socio-economic & environmental aspects of coalbed methane

Session 3: From coal seam to LNG : domestic implications

Session 4: From unconventional gas to LNG: international implications

Summary and conclusions

Details

Participation in the UG Forum is by invitation only and discussions will be informal in nature and conducted under the Chatham House Rule. Each session will have brief introductory presentations from distinguished experts and stakeholders, followed by discussion among participants.

Contact: ugforum@iea.org

For general information on the IEA Unconventional Gas Forum please see www.iea.org/ugforum.

Information for registered participants