{"organism":"Page","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","children":[{"organism":"Metadata","model":{"title":"About onshore natural gas","text":"\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ENatural gas is held in the coal by groundwater pressure. When the water is released, gas flows from the seams.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\r\n","links":[{"name":"About onshore natural gas","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/_jcr_content/root/metadata.shellimg.jpeg/1702356012074/qgcs-tharlane-property-in-the-fairymeadow-district-near-miles.jpeg","alt":"QGC's Tharlane property in the Fairymeadow district near Miles","width":1879,"height":1061}},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/metadata"},{"organism":"ContentOwner","model":{},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/contentowner"},{"organism":"Container.Header","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","ref":"https://www.shell.com.au/_jcr_content/root/header/inherited.model.json","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/header/inherited","model":{}},{"organism":"Breadcrumb","model":{"links":[{"name":"Home","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/"},{"name":"About Us","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us.html"},{"name":"Projects and Assets","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations.html"},{"name":"Shell’s QGC business","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc.html"},{"name":"About onshore natural gas","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas.html"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/header/breadcrumb"}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/header","model":{}},{"organism":"Container.Main","children":[{"organism":"Container.Section","children":[{"organism":"PageHeader","color":"inherited","model":{"title":"About onshore natural gas","text":"\u003Cp\u003ENatural gas from coal seams is a form of naturally occurring gas extracted from coal seams. Natural gas from coal seams was formed approximately 200 – 280 million years ago at the same time that coal was formed. The gas is trapped in the tiny cracks between the coal seams under pressure. Natural gas is odourless, colourless and usually 95% pure methane.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\r\n","image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/_jcr_content/root/main/section/page-header.shellimg.jpeg/1702356012123/qgcs-tharlane-property-in-the-fairymeadow-district-near-miles.jpeg","alt":"QGC's Tharlane property in the Fairymeadow district near Miles","width":1900,"height":475}},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section/page-header"},{"organism":"CallToAction","color":"brand1-solid","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section/call_to_action","model":{"links":[{"name":"Starting as a contractor at QGC","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/sustainability/suppliersandcontractors/shellqgccontractors.html","icon":"/content/dam/shell/icons/global/status/icon-circle-info.svg"},{"name":"Contact us","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/contact-qgc.html","icon":"/content/dam/shell/icons/global/legacy/connectivity-phone.svg"}]}},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section/text","model":{"title":"About natural gas","text":"\u003Cp\u003ENatural gas can be sourced from coal seams, oil sands or from shale formations. More than 20% of the world's energy consumption currently comes from natural gas, providing much of the electricity powering homes and businesses.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENatural gas is odourless, colourless and usually 95% pure methane. It is non-toxic and lighter than air.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENatural gas produces about 20% less carbon dioxide than oil when burnt to create the same amount of energy. In addition, electricity generated from gas produces up to 70% less greenhouse gas emissions than current coal-fired generation facilities.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGas is used for cooking, heating and cooling. It is used to create fertilisers and supply power plants that generate electricity for commercial and domestic users. The fuel is also used in manufacturing glass, steel, plastics, paint, fabrics and can power trains, cars, buses and trucks.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENatural gas from coal seams was formed approximately 200 – 280 million years ago at the same time that coal was formed. The gas is trapped in the tiny cracks between the coal seams under pressure.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EQueensland has been producing gas from coal seams for over a decade and today it makes up about 80% of the state's natural gas supplies.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n"}},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section/text_532472495","model":{"title":"How we produce gas","text":"\u003Cp\u003EQGC produces natural gas from wells drilled into coal seams in the Surat Basin in Queensland.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EHow a QGC gas well works:\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENatural gas is held in the coal by groundwater pressure. When the water is released, gas flows from the seams.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMost of the production wells we drill are between 300 and 800 metres deep in the Walloon Coal Measures of the Surat Basin.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGas and water are separated at the well site and the gas is transferred at low pressure through underground gathering pipelines to field compression stations. Water is transferred to treatment plants and later made available to farmers, irrigators and other consumers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe natural gas produced from the Surat Basin is about 98% methane and requires minimal processing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EThe onshore gas value chain\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETypically, the following process is undertaken from first discovery of gas reserves through to providing gas to consumers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/_jcr_content/root/main/section/text_532472495.multi.stream/1693488863507/6dc4e8250f2ace3f218b0f545c1c259facf96370/qgc-shell-infographic-a4-flyer-white-lr.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFrom Gas to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Col\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EExploration\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\nHistorical data, satellite images, aerial photographs and ground activities – such as seismic surveys and exploration or appraisal wells – scope out the size, location and commercial viability of gas reserves.\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProduction\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\nAfter gas is discovered, production wells are drilled using a series of mechanical rigs. Gas and associated water are extracted via the well.\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProcessing\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\nThe gas and water are separated. The water is transferred to a water treatment facility and made available for beneficial use. The gas is transferred to a nearby field compression station for compression. Several field compression stations are linked to a central processing plant facility where impurities and remaining water are removed and the gas is compressed further for transportation.\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETransportation\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\nMeeting domestic gas supply commitments under long-term contracts is our first priority for production. These contracts are with power stations, industrial users and gas retailers throughout Australia. Gas for export markets is transported to a liquefaction plant on Curtis Island via a 540 kilometre pipeline.\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELiquefaction\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\nAt a liquefaction facility, the gas is cooled to -162°C, which reduces it to a liquid 600 times smaller than its original volume. This process also removes impurities and allows it to be stored and transported safely and economically in large vessels. The gas is now referred to as LNG.\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/_jcr_content/root/main/section/text_532472495.multi.stream/1693489095419/5d73e86cf47badf31570aa713dea733a04163d31/46524-qgc-factsheet-lng-plant.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKnow more about QGC LNG Plant\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EShipping\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\nThe LNG is transported to purpose-built tankers which can carry between 138,000 and 174,000 cubic metres of LNG – enough to power a city of over two million people for two and a half weeks. The LNG is then shipped to overseas energy markets.\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/_jcr_content/root/main/section/text_532472495.multi.stream/1693489140467/252fe81e7e46877b88bbe3787657127b76b7d1d0/46626-qgc-factsheet-lng-shipping.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERead more about the LNG Shipping\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERegasification\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\nOn reaching its destination, the LNG tanker will offload its cargo at a regasification terminal. The LNG is then pumped to onshore storage tanks where the liquefaction process is reversed and the LNG is returned back to a gaseous state.\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECustomer\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\nAt the destination, the gas is processed or converted into electricity at a power station and is now ready for use by households and industry.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n"}}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section","model":{}},{"organism":"Container.Section","color":"brand1-subtle","children":[{"organism":"PromoCard","color":"brand1","colspan":4,"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section_453988730/promo_copy","model":{"title":"About QGC","text":"\u003Cp\u003EWe operate a LNG plant on Curtis Island, and natural gas operations which include wells, compression stations and processing plants.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","links":[{"value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-qgc.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/_jcr_content/root/main/section_453988730/promo_copy.shellimg.jpeg/1702356012239/qgc-curtis-island-ing.jpeg","alt":"QGC Curtis Island LNG plant at night","width":4786,"height":2693}}},{"organism":"PromoCard","color":"brand1","colspan":4,"colstart":5,"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section_453988730/promo","model":{"title":"Community","text":"\u003Cp\u003EQGC is committed to being a good neighbour and an active member of the community.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","links":[{"value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/community.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/_jcr_content/root/main/section_453988730/promo.shellimg.jpeg/1702356012272/qgc-community.jpeg","alt":"QGC employee engaging with community members.","width":3805,"height":2141}}},{"organism":"PromoSimple.LinkList","color":"brand1","colspan":4,"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section_453988730/link_list","model":{"links":[{"name":"Environment","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/environment.html"},{"name":"Management plans","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/environment/environment-management/management-plans.html"},{"name":"Our values","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/our-values.html"},{"name":"Leadership","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/who-we-are.html"},{"name":"Reports and publications","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/reports.html"},{"name":"Contact us","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/contact-us.html"}]}}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section_453988730","model":{"title":"More in QGC"}},{"organism":"Container.Section","children":[{"organism":"PromoCard","color":"brand1-subtle","colspan":6,"colstart":4,"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section_911361343/promo","model":{"title":"Projects and Assets","text":"\u003Cp\u003ERead about our projects and assets in Australia.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","links":[{"value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/_jcr_content/root/main/section_911361343/promo.shellimg.jpeg/1702356012389/two-engineers-in-yellow-uniforms-and-white-hard-hats-looking-up-at-prelude-flng.jpeg","alt":"Two men looking at construction of a platform","width":2780,"height":1564}}},{"organism":"Container.XF","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section_911361343/experience_fragment","model":{}}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main/section_911361343","model":{"title":"You may also be interested in"}}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/main","model":{}},{"organism":"Container.Footer","children":[{"organism":"Breadcrumb.Large","model":{"links":[{"name":"Home","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/"},{"name":"About Us","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us.html"},{"name":"Projects and Assets","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations.html"},{"name":"Shell’s QGC business","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc.html"},{"name":"About onshore natural gas","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas.html"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/footer/breadcrumb"},{"organism":"Container.Raw","ref":"https://www.shell.com.au/_jcr_content/root/footer/inherited.model.json","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/footer/inherited","model":{}}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content/root/footer","model":{}}],"id":"/conf/shell/settings/wcm/templates/base/structure/jcr_content/root","model":{}}],"model":{"title":"About onshore natural gas","text":"Natural gas from coal seams is a form of naturally occurring gas extracted from coal seams.","links":[{"name":"canonical","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas.html"},{"name":"errorUrl","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/error.html"},{"name":"hierarchy","value":"en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas"},{"name":"homeTitle","value":"Shell Australia"},{"name":"homeUrl","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/"},{"name":"locale","value":"en-AU"},{"name":"title","value":"About onshore natural gas | Shell Australia"},{"name":"textDirection","value":"ltr"},{"name":"template","value":"base"},{"name":"contentPath","value":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas"},{"name":"externalDisclaimerText","value":"Shell plc Legal Disclaimer\r\nYou are now leaving the Shell website.\r\nThe link you have selected will direct you to a website that is not controlled by Shell plc or any member of the Shell Group. 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This includes its sponsor and any policies, activities or services offered on the site, by any advertiser on the site or linked to the site.\r\nThank you for visiting the Shell website."},{"name":"themeMode"},{"name":"lastModified","value":"2026-03-24T03:19:34.671Z"},{"name":"themeName","value":"base"},{"name":"themePath","value":"/etc.clientlibs/amidala/clientlibs/theme-base"},{"name":"themeCss","value":"/etc.clientlibs/amidala/clientlibs/theme-base.ACSHASHb291465fc8d3c7bcefde74d34044b698.css"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/_jcr_content/root/metadata.shellimg.jpeg/1702356012074/qgcs-tharlane-property-in-the-fairymeadow-district-near-miles.jpeg","alt":"QGC's Tharlane property in the Fairymeadow district near Miles","width":1879,"height":1061}},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/about-us/projects-and-locations/qgc/about-onshore-natural-gas/jcr_content"}