Arabic version: خطط خطوط الأنابيب تستهدف نقل غاز بيتالو إلى الساحل الشرقي

According to ABC News, two companies are advancing pipeline proposals designed to connect Northern Territory gas from the Beetaloo Basin with homes and businesses in Australia’s eastern states. First gas from the basin flowed into the NT power grid earlier this week.

Jemena has outlined a proposed 400-kilometre connection from the basin to the Northern Gas Pipeline, which runs from Tennant Creek to Mount Isa and is the only line linking NT gas resources to the east coast. Managing director David Gillespie said the company would submit a pipeline permit application to the NT government before the end of the year.

Mr Gillespie said expanded infrastructure could allow the basin’s full potential to be realised without being constrained by transport capacity. He said the resource was expected to be material and that infrastructure built to support it would typically last at least 20 to 30 years. He did not provide a cost estimate, but noted the 622-kilometre Northern Gas Pipeline cost $700 million before opening in 2018.

APA Group has begun environmental assessment for its proposed 1,500-kilometre North to East Australia Pipeline, which would run directly from the Beetaloo, about 500 kilometres south-east of Darwin, to south-west Queensland. The proposal requires environmental approval from the Queensland, NT and federal governments. APA chief executive Adam Watson said the project could be transformational for Australia’s energy market.

Mr Gillespie said Jemena and APA could both be financially viable and that Jemena would not seek public subsidies. He expects early Beetaloo production to support domestic demand before exports become a greater focus as production and infrastructure expand. Possible routes include Queensland and Middle Arm in the Territory, he said, with the market determining the destination.