Jemena’s $800 million Northern Gas Pipeline project has reached another milestone with construction of the pipeline formally commencing today (Wed 12 Jul 17).
Attending a sod-turning ceremony near Tennant Creek to mark the occasion, Jemena managing director Paul Adams said the Northern Gas Pipeline will play a crucial role in helping to resolve the east-coast gas supply crisis.
“This project is a boon for businesses that rely on gas as either a feedstock or fuel source by providing them with access to new gas at a cheaper price, particularly when compared to the costs associated with transporting gas over long distances from the Moomba Gas Hub to Queensland and New South Wales,” Mr Adams said.
“Jemena has already commenced investigative work on expanding the Northern Gas Pipeline and extending it south from Mount Isa to the Wallumbilla Gas Hub to further integrate Territory gas into the east-coast gas grid, provided additional gas supplies are made available in the Territory.
“Our modelling suggests that the pipeline can be relatively easily expanded and extended to transport up to, or beyond, 700 TJs of gas per day. This far exceeds gas used on an average day in the New South Wales and Queensland markets.
“The pipeline will also benefit Australian households and businesses in the southern states, as it will free up gas currently flowing north to supply LNG plants in Queensland, making this gas available for use in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.”
Working with local communities
Mr Adams said the support of the local community had been crucial since Jemena was awarded the contract to build and operate the Northern Gas Pipeline by the Northern Territory Government in late 2015.
“We’ve worked closely with the communities – including Traditional Owners – surrounding the pipeline route throughout the planning phase, having relied on their expertise and local knowledge as we completed key regulatory and other approval processes,” he said.
“As we enter the next stage of the pipeline’s development we expect to draw on the skills and talent of local communities, with more than 600 of the Northern Gas Pipeline’s approximately 900 jobs ear-marked for members of the local community.
“Pleasingly, 58 graduates of Jemena’s Project Ready Training Program – which provides training and development opportunities for local Aboriginal people – have the opportunity to take up full-time employment during construction of the Northern Gas Pipeline.”
More than 80 people attended the sod-turning ceremony near Tennant Creek including Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner and former New South Wales Premier, and chairman of Jemena’s Northern Gas Pipeline company, Nick Greiner.
The Northern Gas Pipeline will span 622km from near Tennant Creek, in the Northern Territory, to Mount Isa in Queensland. About half of the Territory section of pipeline and most of the Queensland section of pipeline will be constructed this year, with the remaining pipeline to be constructed in 2018.
Jemena has partnered with McConnell Dowell to construct a 481km section of the pipeline across the Territory and into part of Queensland. The remaining 141km of pipeline in Queensland will be constructed by Spiecapag Australia.
First gas on the Northern Gas Pipeline is expected to flow in late 2018.
Visit the Jemena website for more information about the Northern Gas Pipeline.
Click here for more information about McConnell Dowell.
Click here for more information about Spiecapag Australia.
