Farmers on board for carbon surveys

Convincing Harvey farmers to allow trucks doing geological surveys onto their properties has been a challenge for the team of researchers working on the South West Hub.

But the cautious community is warming to the carbon capture and storage (CCS) project as researchers prepare for 3D seismic surveys in early 2014.

The $52 million investigations will help to determine if the Lesueur sandstone formation, under the Harvey-Waroona area, is suitable to store carbon emissions.

The proponents say it will secure a more sustainable future for South West industries such as coal by cutting carbon emissions released into the atmosphere.

The Department of Mines and Petroleum will survey more than 100sq km in February and March.

More than 100 landowners have to give permission for researchers to enter their properties.

The results of the survey will be used to create a 3D map of the area’s underground geology.

Some residents who oppose the carbon capture project have refused access to their farms.

Forrest MHR Nola Marino said permission would be given to enter her family’s Harvey property.

“Access to the farm is still being discussed, as recently as this week, about how best to conduct the survey without disturbing operations and infrastructure,” she said.

South West Hub general manager Brendan Gaynor said some of the landowners who had been hesitant about granting access were coming on board with the surveys.

A one-off 2D seismic project is under way this month using Vibroseis trucks owned by the National Geosequestration Laboratory.

The trucks emit seismic waves which bounce off underground rock formations, helping to determine the depth and rock properties of the different layers.