A Queensland gas company plans to begin fracking at two exploratory wells near the Adani Carmichael mine site later this year, with production to commence "early".

Comet Ridge say the two sandstone gas wells are about 35 kilometers from the Adani site.  The company and its partner Vintage Energy also plans to extract coal seam gas from the Galilee Basin.  

Although Adani has said it doesn't anticipate using natural gas as power in any part of its operation, Vintage has claimed it will sell to the mining project.  Comet Ridge earlier had reached a deal with the infrastructure firm APA to work towards a pipeline that would link the Galilee Basin with Moranbah and ultimately to east coast markets.

None of this sits well with environmentalists.  They say farmers have noted water drawdown in areas where fracking has been allowed.

"In a time of extreme, unprecedented drought, we should be conserving water, not sacrificing it to fracking companies who exploit it for temporary gain," said Ellie Smith of the group Lock the Gate Queensland.  "The exploration well's proximity to.. precious water resources and to the planned Adani Carmichael coal mine and other slated Galilee mega coal mines is deeply concerning given the likely cumulative impacts on water resources.

“Now, with fracking thrown into the mix, that impact is likely to be even more disastrous for farmers, water resources, and local communities," she added.