NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTATION AND UTILISATION IN AUSTRALIA

Abstract

The Pipeline Authority commissioned the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation in association with Société Francaise d'Etudes et de Réalisations d'Equipements Gaziers (SOFREGAZ) to conduct an independent study of Australian natural gas utilization and transportation to the year 2000. A summary of the study was published in November 1976 and copies of the full report were made available for review and comment by State Government bodies, gas exploration and production companies, gas distribution utilities and other interested parties.

The report concluded that there will be a shortfall in the supply of natural gas for the eastern states before 1990 even if natural gas is not used for those applications for which coal and electrical energy are not suitable alternatives. The report also concluded that a pipeline from Dampier to the Cooper Basin appears to offer an economic means of meeting the natural gas demands of all demand centres to the year 2000.

It is obvious from the comment on the report that there are widely differing opinions within the gas industry on the probable demand for, and utilisation of natural gas in Australia. In addition there have been a number of important discussions and developments since the report was completed.

The findings of the report have been reviewed in the light of the comment received and the subsequent decisions and developments and it has been concluded that the greatest uncertainty lies in the future availability of natural gas for Australian consumption. There is therefore a need to establish, with greater certainty, the natural gas reserves, particularly in central and eastern Australia so that future planning can be based on reliable data.