Seismic is essentially anything to do with the movement (vibration) of the earth. Tectonic plates float on the surface of the earth and are forever moving and crashing into each other. At the leading edge one plate is pushed under … Read More
Author Archives: Andy McGee
Next Mining Boom – 019
Just to make it plain, I have no better understanding of whether we are headed for a boom or bust in any sector than anyone else. Booms, and busts will come from a complex interplay of politics, global consumer confidence, … Read More
Tags: coal, energy minerals, gas, next mining boom, oil
Climate – 018
Do Nothing Case The IPCC documentation gives us a pretty good insight to possible scenarios. While the models may not be totally accurate and some things will be wrong ( it is never possible to accurately predict the distant future), … Read More
Tags: climate models, ice age, transport
Geothermal -017
Geothermal is an energy source that does not originate from the sun (along with nuclear) although the sun probably helped originally. The majority of the planet is very hot, molten rock with a thin, cool, solid crust. We can access … Read More
Wind – 016
Wind energy is another form of solar. The sun causes uneven heating across the earth’s surface, creating convection currents and pressure differences which result in air molecules flowing from high to low pressure regions. This is complicated by the earth’s … Read More
Tags: infrasound, rare earth magnets, wind turbine
Hydro – 015
Heat from the sun evaporates vast amounts of water from the oceans which fall as rain and snow, creating large rivers and lakes. This process of evaporation creates potential energy when stored in lakes and kinetic energy in flowing rivers. … Read More
Greenhouse Gases – 014
We have discussed Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4) as major Green House Gases (GHGs). In addition to these two, Water Vapour (H2O) is a very major contributor. More minor inputs also from Nitrous Oxide (N20) and ozone. Many other … Read More
Energy Mix – 013
An article in today’s paper suggested that South Australia would be powered by 100% renewable energy. As no time frame was given, this may be perfectly correct in some distant future. But what is meant by the statement and how … Read More
Coal and CSG – 012
So, what is coal? When organic matter is laid down in a swamp and covered over it decomposes without oxygen (anaerobic) to form coal. Depending on the dominant type of organic matter, different macerals of coal will form (inertinite, exinite, … Read More
Tags: BTEX, coal, coal dust, CSG, dewatering, fugitive gases, subsidence
Oil and Gas Drilling – 011
So how do we find oil and gas ? First, lets stick to conventional sandstone (coarse grained) sediments and dry gas. These are perhaps the simplest after water wells. Water Wells Oil and gas drilling used the technology available from … Read More