Empire Energy Corporation Intl. (fka EEGC)

[Heraclitus]

Seriously, I cannot wait for the State Election next year to rid ourselves of this GREEN Cancer. They have absolutely screwed the Tasmanian Economy!!!

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/08/08/385214_tasmania-news.html


Heat on gas mine bid

BRUCE MOUNSTER | August 08, 2013 12.01am

FARMERS in central Tasmania are increasingly worried about plans by a South Australian company to drill for shale oil and gas in the region.


PetraGas managing director Terry Kallis has assured that problems caused by the controversial coal seam gas industry in NSW and Queensland will not be repeated in Tasmania.

Coal seam gas is extracted by drilling bores into gas reservoirs and injecting a high pressure mix of water, sand and chemicals, which forces the trapped gas to the surface.

Critics say the process, also known as fracking, can contaminate watertables, a claim the CSG industry denies.

The fears have sparked confrontations on the mainland, where gas exploration companies have been refused access to properties by angry farmers.

PetraGas maintains that its Tasmanian operation will be different to CSG production.

Mr Kallis said extractions from Tasmanian shale deposits would involve fracking, but would occur a lot deeper than other CSG sites as much as 1km underground and would pose no risk to aquifers.

About 60 concerned residents in the Oatlands area who attended a public meeting last week are yet to be convinced of the merits of having an oil and gas industry in their backyard.

Monika Keane, operator of Oatlands Antiques & Collectables, said Greens MP Tim Morris had made the district aware of PetraGas's plan to apply for a petroleum exploration licence by letter-drop on July 24.

Mrs Keane called the public meeting to find out more. It included Mr Morris and a representative from the Lock the Gate alliance, a national anti-coal seam gas lobby group, but a PetraGas representative was not available to answer questions.

Mrs Keane said by the end of Friday's meeting, the mood was overwhelmingly negative.

Mr Kallis said PetraGas was prepared to talk with stakeholders but did not want to get tangled up in politics.

Mrs Keane said questions had been sent to PetraGas on its procedures and environmental safeguards.

Last month the company told the ASX that it hoped to start exploring once a licence was granted, as soon as next month.

Its proposed 3900sq km tenement extends from the Oatlands and Orielton areas, to Bothwell, Hamilton and Westerway.