Journal of Petroleum & Environmental Biotechnology

Effects of onshore gas development on upstream communities

World Congress on Petroleum and Refinery

July 21-22, 2016 Brisbane, Australia

Will Rifkin

University of Queensland, Australia

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Pet Environ Biotechnol

Abstract:

Onshore natural gas development in Queensland has seen $60 billion in investment, at times intense media coverage, and heightened migration into, out of, and between communities in the upstream region. This movement during the three-year construction phase of the state�??s gas megaprojects is evident in a number of key indicators, and it had a range of effects. The relatively rapid and intense construction phase resulted in social and economic benefits as well as burdens, which were distributed in a varied pattern among businesses and households across these rural agricultural communities. The �??social capital�?? embodied in long-lasting, small-town relationships can be seen to have declined at the same time that business diversity and cultural diversity grew during the construction phase. Post-construction, rents that had more than doubled in some smaller towns settled back to values reflecting their long-term trend. Where residents on fixed incomes were reported to have moved away to avoid high rents, vacant houses at a depressed price brought an increase in the number of residents with low socioeconomic status and accompanying demands for social services. Such cumulative social and economic effects from the coal seam gas projects have been characterized by a multi-year study sponsored by the CSG industry. This study has revealed interesting �??ripple effects�?? across the upstream footprint and a neighbouring regional centre. This �??systems view�?? analysis also draws on insights from studies of boomtowns elsewhere as well as a synthesis by the paper�??s authors of a number of recent studies of this region.

Biography :

Email: w.rifkin@uq.edu.au