Oil, gas drilling plan raises concerns for outback Coober Pedy's underground water supply

The outback town of Coober Pedy's council is concerned that the town's water could become undrinkable if a plan to drill for commercial quantities of oil and gas goes ahead.

news iview listen Loading ABC News News Home Oil, gas drilling plan raises concerns for outback Coober Pedy's underground water supply Share Share article Oil, gas drilling plan raises concerns for outback Coober Pedy's underground water supply By Gary-Jon Lysaght Tri-Star intends to drill for oil and gas in the Arckaringa Basin.

( Supplied: Beach Energy ) Link copied Share Share article The outback town of Coober Pedy's council is concerned that the town's water could become undrinkable if a plan to drill for commercial quantities of oil and gas goes ahead.

Mining company Tri-Star has proposed to do a stimulation drill to determine if commercial resources are in the Arckaringa Basin, an underground water source in outback South Australia.

The basin sits below the much larger Great Artesian Basin, which is the only water source for Coober Pedy, population 2,000.

Coober Pedy water manager Colin Pitman is concerned about the potential impact the drilling could have on the water supply.

"The potential is there for aquifer water to be sucked into the shale deposits, if there's not a good enough seal in the shale deposits and the basin," Mr Pitman said.

Tri-Star plan to mine between William Creek and Mount Barry, 167 kilometres east of Cobber Pedy.

In a written statement, a Tri-Star spokesperson said it did not expect there to be any effects on the environment.

The Great Artesian Basin is Coober Pedy's water source.

( ABC Rural: Eric Barker ) "Tri-Star is a responsible custodian of the environment, with an enviable track record of exceptional environmental performance," the spokesperson said.

"We do not expect our operations to adversely impact the Great Artesian Basin or the local environment.

"There is approximately 500 metres to 1,500 metres of rock between the aquifer and Tri-Star's target formations.

"Tri-Star will have control measures in place to mitigate any risks, and our exploration and fracture stimulation activities will be undertaken in accordance with all regulatory requirements." A state government fact sheet said, before a project goes ahead it would need sufficient community support to proceed.

Mr Pitman said the District Council of Coober Pedy still had not decided if it wanted to support the project.

Coober Pedy's water manager has flagged a number of issues with Tri-Star's proposed drilling operation.

( Audience submitted: Helen Vercoe ) Coober Pedy sits outside the targeted area for the drilling, however Tri Star has decided to involve it in the consultation, because of its connection to the Great Artesian Basin.

However if it does decide to support it, Mr Pitman said councillors wanted to be involved.

"If it doesn't go ahead, many of the council members would be in favour of it not proceeding.