September 27, 2012

A State MP has assured industry he is “monitoring the situation” after widespread concerns about the cost and availability of domestic gas supplies in Queensland.

Energy Minister Mark McArdle said today the State Government was committed to an adequate domestic gas supply, as well as the State’s developing liquefied natural gas (LNG) export industry.

Speaking after the release of the 2012 Gas Market Review Report, Mr McArdle said there was a high level of uncertainty for domestic supply, pricing and overall demand.

The report analyses factors including future pricing, supply-demand balance and peak demand, as well as barriers to market growth and increased competition in Queensland.

Mr McArdle said some major domestic gas users had raised concerns about affordability and security of supply, in terms of securing medium and long-term contracts.

“While our State’s growing gas supply industry will underpin strong economic growth in national and international gas export markets, a secure, accessible and reliable domestic gas supply is a key ingredient in supporting wider Queensland growth,” he said.

Earlier this month, the State Government held a high level meeting with the gas industry to address growing concerns about domestic supply.

Following the meeting, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Limited (APPEA) made the following statement:

“As agreed at the meeting AAPEA will continue to play a co-ordinating role in the event that a major gas user claims difficulty in sourcing offers for supply. In the first instance, we recommend that such companies be referred to the list of key contacts in selected APPEA member companies who handle enquiries from major gas customers which was provided to the Queensland Gas Market Adviser on June 12, 2012. Should further recourse be required, the Chief Executives of gas companies may be contacted, and APPEA is also available to facilitate contact between users and suppliers.”

“I will continue to monitor the situation,” Mr McArdle said.

He said the industry had assured him that there was more than enough gas in the ground to supply demand for both the export and domestic markets.

“Over the next 12 months, the gas industry should demonstrate it will deliver on the commitments it has made to support the domestic market,” he said.