Update on iBC Brine Processing Market Opportunities
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX Announcement
07 APRIL 2022
PARKWAY DEVELOPING TRANSFORMATIONAL WASTE
BRINE PROCESSING SOLUTION FOR CSG INDUSTRY
Parkway Corporate Limited (“Parkway” or the “Company”) (ASX: PWN) is pleased to advise that the
Company continues to make significant progress towards commercialising a range of industrial water
treatment related technologies (including, amongst others, its iBC® technology).
The Company has been interested in providing solutions for the Australian coal seam gas (“CSG”)
industry for a number of years, as the multi-billion dollar industry is responsible for generating in excess
of 55,000 megalitres of associated water, annually. Since acquiring the patented iBC® technology in
May 2020, the Company has performed a range of evaluations and piloting activities, to assess the
potential for the iBC® technology to treat wastewaters generated by the CSG industry. Additionally,
Parkway has recently commenced the construction of a larger and more sophisticated iBC® pilot plant
(“New iBC® Pilot Plant”), to further advance the commercialisation of the iBC® technology.
On the basis of our highly successful piloting activities and industry collaboration (including with Worley,
through our recently expanded Strategic Partnership Agreement) to date, we believe that the Company
is well positioned to continue progressing the commercialisation of the iBC® technology.
Key Milestones
The Company has been successful in systematically progressing the development and
commercialisation of the iBC® technology, with several key milestones outlined below (dates refer to
relevant ASX announcement):
15 May 2020
Announced acquisition of iBC® technology (anticipated market size, $20 - 50M/yr1).
09 Jul 2020
Completed acquisition and transfer of IP and secured innovation related grant funds.
07 Oct 2020
Demonstrated iBC® technology had broader applications than originally anticipated.
During 2021
Extensive technical and iBC® pilot studies performed on CSG derived wastewaters.
Demonstrated very high recoveries and pathway to zero liquid discharge solution.
Range of studies confirm the operational, financial and sustainability advantages.
16 Dec 2021
Disclosed procurement for long lead items for new larger iBC® pilot plant.
10 Feb 2022
Expanded global strategic partnership with Worley to encompass iBC® technology.
07 Apr 2022
Construction of New iBC® Pilot Plant and indicative completion date announced.
Updated evaluation identifies potential market opportunity of $307 million/yr, or up to
$9.2 billion2 over the life of existing CSG projects operating in Queensland, Australia.
1 Internal estimate made by the Company at the time of the acquisition, as announced on 15 May 2020.
2 Estimates based on evaluations performed by the Company, incorporating information from a range of public and internal sources. These estimates are provided for illustrative purposes
only and should not be relied on for any investment related purposes. All estimates are subject to review, and may be revised or withdrawn, without notice.
New iBC® Pilot Plant
Given the highly encouraging results from testwork performed throughout 2021, as well as positive
industry feedback, the Company recently finalised the design for a scaled-up iBC® pilot plant and
procured long-lead items (as shown in Figure 1). The Company has recently commenced construction
of the New iBC® Pilot Plant, which is scheduled for mechanical completion in May 2022. The New iBC®
Pilot Plant will assist the Company perform larger scale testwork and produce product samples, for
industry evaluation. The New iBC® Pilot Plant will also support a range of ongoing commercial
discussions with a range of key stakeholders, including prospective clients and partners.
Figure 1: Specialty process vessels for the New iBC® pilot plant, at PPS-Melbourne facility.
Potential Market Opportunity
Based on combined CSG operator forecasts, the CSG industry in Queensland is currently producing in
the order of 55 GL of associated water per year, which over the life of these projects, accounting for
natural decline, is likely to reach total production of 1,700 GL. Following the application of a range of
existing water treatment processes, these volumes are reduced to a smaller volume of more
concentrated wastewater, or brine. These residual brine streams, contain in the order of 194,000 tonnes
of dissolved salts annually, which rises to an estimated 5,500,000 tonnes of dissolved salts3, over the
life of the existing operational CSG projects.
By converting the associated water volumes to brine, and then to more concentrated brine, using
indicative industry conversion factors, including benchmarked costs, has enabled the Company to
estimate the cost of treating and ultimately disposing of the brine and/or salt waste streams.
The Company has also performed a range of technoeconomic evaluations based on the potential
application of the iBC® technology for several CSG based applications. On the basis of testwork
performed to date, which we continue to improve and optimise (including through the New iBC® Pilot
Plant), we expect that the application of the iBC® technology will offer a number of valuable and
complementary benefits for CSG operators, including:
§
enabling relevant CSG operator/s to avoid otherwise inevitable brine processing costs,
dewatering costs and salt disposal costs (including, a regulated waste levy ($125 - $175 per
tonne)4 which is payable to the Queensland Government); and
3 Estimates of associated water and salt production have been taken from, Coal seam gas associated water production in Queensland: Actual vs predicted, Journal of Natural Gas Science
and Engineering, J.R. Underschultz, S. Vink, A. Garnett.
4 As per the 2022-23 levy rates for Categories 1 and 2 of “Regulated Waste”, as published by the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment, Land and Water.
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generate revenues through the sale of recovered products (primarily industrial grade caustic
soda) from the iBC® plant, which are expected to be sufficient to cover the cost of building and
operating the iBC® plant.
In effect, the complementary benefits outlined above, are expected to result in a potentially self-funding
brine treatment plant incorporating iBC® technology, which would also enable a CSG operator to
achieve additional significant annual cost savings. At an industry level (CSG projects located in
Queensland), these annual cost savings are estimated to be in the order of $307 million, assuming the
CSG operators are appropriately processing and disposing of waste brine and salt products at present.
In this context, the Company considers that the brine processing and disposal related liabilities accruing
to Queensland’s major CSG operators (estimated to be up to $9.2 billion for the currently operating
CSG projects5), represents a directly addressable market for the iBC® technology, with no viable
alternative pathway identified by industry to date.
Figure 2: Market Opportunities for the iBC® Technology in the Oil & Gas Sector5.
Background Information6
To produce CSG, wells are drilled into underground coal seams, bringing water (“CSG water”) from
the seams to the surface. This process reduces pressure in the seams which allows CSG to be
released. The quality of CSG water quality varies greatly, however it is generally rich in salts and other
minerals.
Australian CSG production is largely concentrated in Queensland. To operate a CSG project in
Queensland, a CSG operator must hold an environmental authority ("EA”) under the Environmental
Protection Act 1994 (Qld) ("EP Act”), before any work can take place on the relevant tenure.
Additionally, as part of an EA application under the EP Act, a CSG operator must demonstrate how
their CSG water will be managed in accordance with the Coal Seam Gas Water Management Policy
2012-ESR/2016/2381 (formerly EM738) (the “Water Management Policy”), which is administered by
the Queensland Government – Department of Environment & Science, (the “Department”).
Importantly, the Water Management Policy outlines the following rules in relation to the treatment and
disposal of CSG water:
5 Estimates based on evaluations performed by the Company, incorporating information from a range of public and internal sources. These estimates are provided for illustrative purposes
only and should not be relied on for any investment related purposes. All estimates are subject to review, and may be revised or withdrawn, without notice.
6 Adapted from the Coal seam gas water page, as presented on the Queensland Government – Department of Environment and Science website, in March 2022.
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“The treatment of CSG water using desalination technologies results in brine and, ultimately,
salt residues that must be appropriately managed. The concentration and composition of salts
depends on the characteristics of the CSG water and the treatment process.
In resolving the management of brine and salt as part of the management of CSG water,
operators must demonstrate that priority 1, outlined below, has been fully considered and
determined not to be feasible prior to considering priority 2.
Priority 1 - Brine or salt residues are treated to create useable products wherever feasible.
Priority 2 - After assessing the feasibility of treating the brine or solid salt residues to create
useable and saleable products, disposing of the brine and salt residues in accordance with
strict standards that protect the environment.”7
The Department has been consulting with key stakeholders to develop an industry-wide, long-term
management approach for the treatment of CSG water.
The treatment of CSG water results in significant volumes of water being available for a range of uses
and smaller quantities of highly saline wastewater (brine). Brine must be appropriately managed as it
is unsuitable for release to the environment. Brine is currently stored on an interim basis in dedicated
storage ponds until a long-term management approach is adopted.
Additional information about CSG water can be reviewed at the Queensland Government – Department
of Environment and Science website:
https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/management/activities/non-mining/water/csg-water
Implications for Parkway
Based on an analysis of industry estimates, the CSG water (incorporating a range of concentrated brine
streams) being produced by the existing CSG industry in Queensland, contains in the order of 194,000
tonnes of salt on an annual basis, rising to 5,500,000 tonnes over the life of these projects.
Despite the substantial scale of the challenge, the strong regulatory environment requiring the beneficial
treatment of the brine (where feasible) which is encapsulated in the “Priorities” outlined in the Water
Management Policy, and in excess of $100 million invested by the industry over more than a decade to
identify a long-term solution, no viable pathway has been identified to date.
Against this backdrop, by collaborating with various major CSG operators, Parkway has recently made
significant progress in validating the advantages and performance of the patented iBC® technology.
Importantly, extensive testwork performed to date provides encouragement that the iBC® technology is
effective in converting the entirety of the problematic brine streams, into a range of solid and liquid
product streams, as well as freshwater. The zero liquid discharge (ZLD) processing route envisaged for
CSG projects, represents a highly valuable industrial application for the iBC® technology.
Through our ongoing investigations (including through our New iBC® Pilot Plant), we plan to further
reinforce our belief that our iBC® technology represents a commercially viable solution, by which CSG
operators may achieve the “Priority 1” objectives, referred to in the Water Management Policy.
7 Section 1.1, page 1 of the Water Management Policy.
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COMMENTS FROM GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO
Parkway’s Group Managing Director & CEO, Bahay Ozcakmak, makes the following comments:
“
“As part of our ongoing technology commercialisation efforts, throughout 2021, we performed
extensive iBC® related piloting activities on a range of CSG derived wastewater samples. To
date, our piloting activities have been highly successful, confirming our view that the iBC®
technology is capable of producing valuable products from otherwise problematic wastewaters,
including concentrated brines. Based on our findings to date, we expect that through the
application of our iBC® technology:
§
relevant wastewater streams could potentially be processed through to a highly
desirable zero liquid discharge (ZLD) level of treatment; and
§
a client could both avoid substantial wastewater treatment and disposal costs, whilst
simultaneously generating a potentially material revenue stream from their wastewater.
Through our ongoing investigation (including through our New iBC® Pilot Plant), we plan to
establish that our iBC® technology represents a commercially viable solution for CSG project
operators to, i) permanently treat complex brines, and ii) achieve substantial savings compared
to a conventional salt disposal pathway. As the supplier of an iBC® process technology
package, for a prospective brine treatment plant incorporating iBC® technology, we expect that
Parkway would be well positioned to capture a material share of the savings accruing to a CSG
project operator. At an industry wide level (CSG operations in Queensland), we believe these
savings to be as high as $307 million annually, based on existing CSG operations. As the
majority of existing CSG operations have been operating for several years, without brine
concentration systems in place, the actual annualised costs to treat and dispose of
concentrated brines (inclusive of salt products) moving forward, is likely to be significantly
larger, given the significant accumulation of legacy waste streams.
Our engineering team has recently taken possession of all major long lead items, including
imported pressure vessels, which has enabled us to commence the construction of our New
iBC® Pilot Plant. The new pilot plant will assist us perform larger scale test work, optimise our
process designs, as well as produce product samples, for industry evaluation. The New iBC®
Pilot Plant will also support a range of ongoing commercial discussions with a range of key
stakeholders, including prospective clients and partners.
The continued growth in both our internal capabilities (particularly with the growth of PPS) as
well as partnered capabilities (including our recent expansion of our relationship with Worley),
is positioning Parkway very strongly, to be able to harness the full potential of our technology
portfolio, including our iBC® technology.
Our ability to acquire, improve, scale-up and validate the performance of the iBC® technology,
in a relatively short period of time and on a very modest budget, is an impressive achievement
by industry standards. Through our systematic approach, incorporating our in-house
technoeconomic evaluations, we are now very confident that the market potential for the iBC®
technology is more significant than what we had assessed at the time of acquisition. The next
stages for the commercialisation of the technology are well-advanced. We look forward to
providing more details as further milestones are achieved.”
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The release of this announcement has been approved by Parkway’s Group Managing Director & CEO,
Bahay Ozcakmak.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For further information or investor enquiries, please contact:
Bahay Ozcakmak
Alexander Cook
General Enquiries
Group Managing Director & CEO
General Counsel
1300 7275929
solutions@pwnps.com
ir@pwnps.com
1300 PARKWAY
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This announcement may contain certain “forward-looking statements”. The words “continue”, “expect”,
“forecast”, “potential” and other similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking
statements”. Indications of (and any guidance on) future earnings, financial position, capex
requirements and performance are also “forward-looking statements”, as are statements regarding
internal management estimates and assessments of market outlook.
Where Parkway expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such
expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However,
“forward-looking statements” are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Parkway, its officers,
employees, agents and advisors, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed
or implied in such statements. There can be no assurance that actual outcomes will not differ materially
from these statements. There are usually differences between forecast and actual results, because
events and actual circumstances frequently do not occur as forecast and their differences may be
material.
Parkway does not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions to any "forward-looking
statements" to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this announcement, or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under the applicable securities laws.
ABOUT PARKWAY CORPORATE LIMITED
Parkway Corporate Limited is an Australian cleantech company focused on developing and
implementing, industrial-scale innovative water treatment solutions. Parkway is listed on the
Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: PWN) and is emerging as an innovative player in water related
sustainability solutions. With significant inhouse technical expertise and established partnerships,
Parkway is well-placed to deliver the next generation of wastewater treatment plants, incorporating
the company’s portfolio of world-class technologies.
Parkway operates through three (3) core business units, comprising:
•
Parkway Process Solutions (PPS) – Parkway’s primary operating division and an emerging
provider of industrial water treatment products, services, solutions and associated technology
to customers throughout Australia. PPS has recently established commercial relationships with
key water industry participants, including globally recognised OEMs;
•
Parkway Process Technologies (PPT) – Parkway’s technology development, acquisition, and
commercialisation division. PPT owns a portfolio of industrial wastewater treatment
technologies, including the patented aMES® and iBC® process technologies. PPT has global
aspirations and is supported by a network of strategic partners, including global engineering
company Worley; and
•
Parkway Ventures (PV) – holds a portfolio of project equity and royalty interests, including
interests relating to Parkway’s Karinga Lakes Potash Project in the Northern Territory of
Australia.
Additional information regarding Parkway, including an overview of the corporate structure of Parkway
and the companies in its corporate group, can be found at: www.pwnps.com/pages/about-us.
SOCIAL MEDIA & EMAIL ALERTS
Parkway is committed to communicating with the investment community through all available channels.
Whilst the ASX announcements platform remains the most appropriate channel for market-sensitive
news about Parkway, investors and other interested parties are also encouraged to:
•
follow Parkway on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube; and
•
subscribe for our email alert service, Parkway News Alerts, on our website (www.pwnps.com).
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