lakdaddy

Yes, there have been historical seeps before the current activity.

However the current activity is more intense than seen before. Isotopic analysis doesn't prove the methane is from fracking sites, but it doesn't prove that it isn't.

Regardless of previous seeps, the activity is now on a greater scale and the river can be set alight, then something is wrong. https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au › pdf_file

Randomhandle

Sure seems like that really long drillbit and chemicals happens naturally. I mean those wild drilling rigs are dangerous. If you spook one then you are in for a bad time.

Slayfire122

I'm surprised water didn't burn before in Australia.

hypersong

While this is a natural phenomenon, it seems to happen more within fracking areas if I am not mistaken.

uberbrew

Mainly due to hydrocarbons being present. Back in the late 1800's early 1900's the oil prospectors would drill for oil based on salinity of water and mainly if there were any hydrocarbon leaks (natural gas or oil coming to surface under natural processes).

twentyfive

the same as with oil seeping in the gulf of mexico, happens all the time. its debated when the horizon explosion that they should have just let oil be and the mother nature clean it up, which its extremely efficient at. (well you'd clean any oil on shores) instead use of corexit made the situation way more toxic.