Dart Energy wells to help grow vegetables in Australia
05 Jun 2012
Coal seam gas miner Dart Energy has received approval to drill wells north of Newcastle in Australia which, it says, would help produce rosy red tomatoes.
Dart, with interests in coal bed methane in eastern Australia, Asia and Europe, has agreed to plans to grow capsicums and cucumbers for the Australian market.
Dart is in the process of finalising negotiations to secure a drilling rig and says it planned to mobilise the site in coming weeks after receiving government regulatory approval and land access.
The company recently shelved plans for floating its international business separately due to poor market conditions and a share price fall, from 72 cents to 16.5 cents in the past year.
The miner recently found itself targeted by anti coal seam gas (CSG) campaigners over attempts to drill for gas in Sydney's inner-west.
According to Dart chief executive Robbert de Weijer, the approval of the Fullerton Cove pilot project, near Williamtown, was a major milestone in its efforts to provide gas to the NSW market.