The government said the potential 500 km pipeline could bring more gas to Queensland’s domestic and export markets and create more than 1,000 jobs during construction.
The state will seek a further $5 million in matched funding from the Australian Government towards the study, which will analyse gas prospectivity and sources of fugitive emissions in the area, identify opportunities for industry involvement in the asset’s development, and determine feasibility and the best pathway for the infrastructure.
Blue Energy, which owns multiple gas tenements in the Bowen Basin, welcomed the move from the state government, saying the pipeline would mean more jobs in Queensland.
“The Bowen Basin contains independently verified gas resources of up to 15,000 PJ which if fully developed via a new southern pipeline, could supply the east coast domestic gas market for up to 30 years,” the company said.
“In doing so, it would act to lower east coast gas prices to end users, and importantly, enable manufacturers and gas users to enter long term gas contracts and give certainty of gas supply and price, for decades.
“This in turn would encourage expansion and growth of existing manufacturers and entry of new manufacturers to establish themselves in Queensland.”
The Queensland Government said the study will take approximately 12 months to complete.
For more information visit the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy website.
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