| Title | Trusted and Efficient Land Access for Geothermal Operations (Including Induced Seismicity)--A Regulator's Perspective |
|---|---|
| Authors | Goldstein, Barry; Bendall, Betina; Long, Alexandra; Malavazos, Michael; Cockshell, David; Love, David |
| Year | 2010 |
| Conference | Geothermal Resources Council Transactions |
| Keywords | Geothermal; EGS; Induced Seismicity; Regulation; Attenuation distance; One-stop-shop; Regulation; Geohazards |
| Abstract | Operations need be managed to reduce material risks to acceptable levels and as low as reasonably practical to meet community expectations. Public trust in both industry and regulators to deliver safe outcomes fosters investment and enables efficient land access and activity approvals. These principles and practices are especially important for Engineered Geothermal System development which may pose uncertain risks from induced seismicity. The objective based, one-stop-shop, regulatory framework in South Australia (Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000) and the behaviour of the regulator, Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) are recognized as “a relatively straightforward regulatory system, which could be considered a benchmark for other jurisdictions” (Australian Productivity Commission, 2009). The regulatory instruments that deliver trust and efficiency in South Australia are: non-prescriptive; allow for innovation while ensuring that operators demonstrate their ability to manage all possible risks to an acceptable level; and entail extensive stakeholder consultation to set standards which are aligned with community expectations. Operations in South Australia include internationally significant Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) developments. Recognizing EGS is (at least to the public) a new technology with uncertain risks, PIRSA has taken account of international developments, commissioned research and is supporting national cooperation to increase certainty in relation to risk management for EGS operations. This paper describes practices and technologies that can help to inform activity approvals for EGS operations anywhere. |