Policy and regulation — Latest News — Gas Today — The magazine for Australia’s natural gas industry

FutureGAS 2010 rounds off with flying colours!

Fri, 12 March 2010 Brisbane’s Sofitel Hotel was buzzing with talk of gas-fired power, whispers of LNG, and fervent discussion surrounding the future of natural gas in Australia at the FutureGAS 2010 Conference and Exhibition.

Don’t cry for me – World Gas Conference in Argentina

Gas Today — February 2010 The International Gas Union has been running triennial World Gas Conferences since 1931. In 2009, the conference was held in Argentina from 5–9 October. Gas Today spoke to four Australian attendees about their experiences.

Recruiting for the booming LNG industry

Gas Today — February 2010 Rapid growth in the LNG industry and global economic factors have made for a turbulent job market in Australia’s energy sector. Dave Deemer and Matthew Wolstenholme, LNG specialists from ACRWorld, suggest ways for companies to make sure the right people are hired for the job.

QLD to partner PNG on major gas projects

Wed, 3 March 2010 Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser will lead a trade mission to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in March in a bid to develop new partnerships for PNG’s major projects including gas projects.

Energy sector supports QLD land use policy

Tue, 23 February 2010 Queensland’s minerals and energy sector leaders have reconfirmed their support for state government land use planning decisions using transparent and scientifically-based criteria.

WA Gov seeks feedback to shape energy policy

Fri, 8 January 2010 The Western Australian Government is inviting comments from the public to help shape the state’s energy future, following the release of the Strategic Energy Initiative (SEI) Issues Paper, Energy 2030.

IGU advocates gas’ green credentials at Copenhagen

Fri, 18 December 2009 The International Gas Union (IGU) has called for the increased use of natural gas to fulfil emission targets, which were discussed at the United Nations Climate Conference held in Copenhagen from 7–18 December 2009.

Australia’s natural gas demand will continue to rise: AEMO

Fri, 18 December 2009 The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has released a report forecasting a strong increase in natural gas demand over the next 20 years.

Neerabup Power Station opens as WA Gov looks to secure gas supply

Fri, 4 December 2009 The Neerabup Power Station, located 35 kilometres north of Perth, has been officially opened by Western Australian Energy Minister Peter Collier.

Domestic gas reservation policy needed in WA: ESAA

Wed, 2 December 2009 The Energy Supply Association of Australia (ESAA) has recommended reforms to Western Australia’s energy market in a report that also highlights the need to find a balance between securing a domestic gas supply and exporting to the Asia Pacific region to ensure a low-carbon economy.

ETS amendments should assist LNG industry: APPEA

Thu, 26 November 2009 Amendments to the emissions trading scheme (ETS) released by the Federal Government are less constraining on Australia’s LNG industry, according to the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA).

WA Gov passes gas supply legislation

Mon, 23 November 2009 The Western Australian Parliament has passed legislation, which State Energy Minister Peter Collier has said will support the development of a greater range of gas fields to supply the domestic market.

Climate change policies unfairly burden small energy retailers with ‘green tape’: ERAA

Mon, 23 November 2009 The peak industry body for retailers of gas and electricity in Australia’s energy markets, Energy Retailers Association of Australia (ERAA), has briefed the Senate Select Committee on Fuel and Energy on the burden caused by burgeoning state and Federal laws and regulations for energy retailers.

Fed Gov investigates resource jobs strategy

Wed, 18 November 2009 The Australian Government’s National Resource Sector Employment Taskforce has met in Canberra to set the framework for a strategy to secure skilled workers for up to 80 major resource projects, such as the Chevron-operated Gorgon LNG Development, over the next decade.

QLD sets aside future domestic LNG

Mon, 16 November 2009 Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said that the state Government has decided to set aside future gas fields for domestic supply if needed, rejecting an option to require a percentage of gas from all fields to go to domestic supply.

Powering up: FutureGAS 2010

Mon, 9 November 2009 To be held in Brisbane between 9 and 11 March 2010, the FutureGAS Conference and Exhibition is shaping up to be one of the most exciting natural gas events for 2010.

WA Premier concerned over proposed FLNG but committed to developing skilled gas workforce

Fri, 6 November 2009 Premier of Western Australia Colin Barnett has expressed concern regarding plans to construct the world’s first floating LNG platform off the coast of Western Australia, following the recent oil leak and fire at PTTEP Australasia’s Montara Oil Field.

DomGas welcomes Bligh Gov gas reservation proposal

Fri, 23 October 2009 The Domestic Gas Alliance (DomGas) has commended the Queensland Government’s proposal to introduce a domestic gas reservation policy.

Breakthrough for WA gas; gov cuts red tape for project approvals

Mon, 19 October 2009 Major gas project approvals will be streamlined under a Western Australian Government initiative to establish a lead agency framework to assess all major economic project proposals.

Are we exporting our energy future?

Gas Today — November 2009 A key association representing Western Australia’s energy users is calling on governments and regulators to ensure affordable gas for long term domestic consumption. However representatives from Australia’s upstream gas industry have challenged the contention that Australia should flood the domestic market to ensure long-term cheap prices.

WA Gov reports on gas security

Wed, 14 October 2009 Western Australian Energy Minister Peter Collier has released a report by the Gas Supply and Emergency Management Committee (GSEMC) detailing strategies to minimise the impact of a gas supply disruption in Western Australia.

Top 3 LNG – Australia’s export industry is in the running

Fri, 9 October 2009 Australia’s LNG industry is on the cusp of a game-changing shift that could see Australia become a top three global exporter of LNG, according to Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) Chief Executive Belinda Robinson.