Onshore gas industry spruiked at trade delegation

Talks have begun with the world’s largest government owned utility company about the possibility of building a north-south gas pipeline in the Northern Territory.  

Chief Minister Michael Gunner today began a five day trade delegation in China and this morning met with the majority stakeholder in Jemena’s northern gas pipeline, State Grid Corporation of China. 

Gas will begin being piped to Queensland at the end of the year and already Jemena has expressed interest in duplicating the Tennant Creek to Mount Isa line. 

Mr Gunner said Jemena could also play a role in the onshore gas industry by building a pipeline from the Beetaloo Basin to Darwin, which would allow companies to process gas in the Top End, potentially creating local jobs. 

“This (is) the first big conversation outside Australia about onshore oil and gas since the lifting of the (fracking) moratorium,” he said. 

“We want to make sure they’re actively thinking about north-south pipes, as well as east-west pipes.

“We’ve got to make sure if we do develop the Territory, we’re doing it with local jobs in mind, and not just a place we export things from.”

It’s expected onshore gas production will begin after 2020.