QGC
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Natural gas |
| Predecessor | Queensland Gas Company |
| Fate | Acquired by BG Group in 2008; became part of Shell in 2016 |
| Headquarters | Queensland , Australia |
Area served | Queensland, Australia |
| Products | Coal seam methane gas |
| Parent | Shell plc |
Shell's QGC (previously known as QGC Pty. Ltd.) stands as a prominent Australian enterprise specializing in coal seam methane, actively developing gas reserves within Queensland's Bowen and Surat Basins, with an approximate valuation of A$13 billion.
In November 2008, Queensland Gas Company was acquired by BG Group. Subsequently, QGC became integrated into Shell following the latter's acquisition of BG Group in February 2016.
Operations
QGC primarily concentrates on extracting coal seam gas from the Surat and Bowen Basins in Queensland. The company manages a liquefied coalbed methane facility located on Curtis Island near Gladstone in Central Queensland. It also established a 540-kilometer pipeline, measuring 42 inches in diameter, extending from Miles to Gladstone—recognized as Australia's longest underground pipeline of this specification. The project's progression encountered setbacks due to environmental regulatory challenges.
By 2009, QGC was responsible for producing approximately one-fifth of Queensland's natural gas supply.
The firm operates the Kenya gas processing plant near Tara, Queensland, which is supplied by three coal seam gas fields named Lauren, Codie, and Kate. In 2010, inspections revealed minor methane emissions in more than half of the wells within these fields.
Environmental protests
In 2011, Bob Irwin, an Australian environmental advocate and founder of Australia Zoo, was detained during demonstrations opposing QGC operations after declining police orders to disperse. These protests formed part of sustained resistance by residents of Tara, Queensland against the establishment of gas infrastructure projects.
The investigative journalism program Four Corners by ABC aired reports emphasizing issues concerning land ownership rights and environmental hazards associated with coal seam gas extraction activities.