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

Industry welcomes study into eastern gas market

Wed, 5 June 2013 Manufacturing Australia and the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) have come out in support of the study into the eastern Australian gas market announced last week by Federal Resources and Energy Minister Gary at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) Conference.

Rising costs hurting industry: APPEA 2013 wrap-up

Wed, 5 June 2013 The annual Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) Conference held in Brisbane last week brought together industry leaders who discussed the problems facing the industry, namely the declining investor confidence in Australia’s gas industry due to high costs, paired with a rise in demand for gas from the LNG trains and declining productivity.

US more flexible for LNG: Wood Mackenzie

Wed, 5 June 2013 Wood Mackenzie Head of Australia Upstream Consulting Andrew McManus has warned Australia faces a hiatus in new LNG projects as the focus of LNG buyers has turned to the United States.

Productivity Commission calls for rational policy approach for exploration

Wed, 5 June 2013 The productivity of Australia's resource exploration industry is falling, according to a draft report - Mineral and Energy Resource Exploration - released by the Productivity Commission.

Industry must fight against ‘radical’ green agenda: Seeney

Wed, 29 May 2013 Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney has addressed the last day of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) conference, encouraging the gas industry to be proactive in their fight against a "blind" green agenda.

Cripps, Hartcher discuss improving community confidence in CSG industry

Tue, 28 May 2013 The Queensland and New South Wales governments’ energy ministers have spoken of the importance of improved community engagement for Australia’s CSG industry, speaking to the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) Conference this morning.

Australia must remain competitive: Knox, Byers

Mon, 27 May 2013 The first morning of the 53rd annual Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) Conference has raised the importance of improving the industry’s international competitiveness and committing to policies ahead of the Federal election in September to build Australia’s growth.

Gray announces study to investigate eastern gas market

Mon, 27 May 2013 Federal Resources and Energy Minister Gary Gray today announced a major new Federal Government study into the rapidly changing eastern Australian gas market.

Federal Budget to affect exploration costs: APPEA

Thu, 23 May 2013 The Federal Budget, announced on 15 May, includes tax changes that will affect exploration costs and thin capitalisation rules, hurting the oil and gas industry’s international competitiveness, according to the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA).

Offshore safety law passed

Thu, 23 May 2013 A law to better protect Australian offshore workers and Australia's marine environment has been passed by Federal Parliament.

Every drop counts: dealing with CSG water

Thu, 23 May 2013 With a rise in demand for CSG to supply large LNG projects in Queensland, the question of CSG water management has been brought to the fore. Gas Today investigates the water management policy in Queensland, and how the state government and CSG companies have worked together to collaborate on beneficial uses for CSG water.

Water and air quality a top priority at Camden

After the recent decision by New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell to impose a 2 km buffer for coal seam gas activities across existing residential zones throughout NSW, AGL Energy suspended its proposed Northern Expansion of its Camden Gas Project, located 60 km southwest of Sydney. AGL has since introduced an enhanced water and air quality monitoring program at its existing Camden Gas Project, in response to safety concerns raised by the local community.

5 minutes with Stedman Ellis

As Chief Operating Officer of the Western Region of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Stedman Ellis has extensive experience and networks in the resources and government sectors. Prior to joining the Association in 2010, he was a Deputy Director General at Western Australia’s Department of Mines and Petroleum, and had previously held senior roles with BHP Billiton in Australia, Papua New Guinea and the United States.

Confidence in Victoria’s gas future despite fraccing stalemate

$Confidence in Victoria’s gas future despite fraccing stalemate$ Lakes Oil, the oldest listed Australian oil and gas explorer still operating in the country, faced a setback in August 2012 after the Victorian Government enforced a moratorium on fracture stimulation throughout the state. Gas Today speaks with Lakes Oil Executive Chairman Rob Annells about the impact of the moratorium on the company, and his optimism for the future.

When will they ever learn?

The core thought to emerge from recent shenanigans over coal seam gas regulation is that politicians, confronted by noisy agitation over energy issues and the prospect of losing some votes, will too frequently follow their knees rather than their intellect.

Gas industry policy update

It has been a significant few months for Federal and state gas industry policy in Australia, with policy changes that look to change Australia’s gas industry as we know it.

QGC opposes EPBC before Senate Committee

Wed, 24 April 2013 QGC has called for the Senate to withdraw a “hurried” bill containing proposed changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, after the Federal government introduced amendments to Australia’s national environment law in March.

NT says no to gas reservation

Wed, 24 April 2013 The subject of gas reservation has been raised again recently, with the Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles confirming on 17 April that the NT Government would not be introducing a gas reservation policy, a move that was welcomed by the Federal government.

COAG releases first assessment report under national CSG agreement

Thu, 11 April 2013 The Council of Australian Governments Reform Council has released its first assessment report under the CSG and Large Coal Mining Development National Partnership Agreement.

NSW and Federal implementation of new CSG regulations

Wed, 27 March 2013 There has been movement at both a Federal and state level to implement new CSG regulations. The Federal Government is set to implement greater environmental protection for water resources impacted by CSG and large coal mining developments, and the New South Wales Government has moved to implement policy prohibiting CSG operations in residential areas and critical industry clusters.

Victorian hot water system rebates to close

Sun, 24 March 2013 Victorian households are urged to to replace their hot water systems with a more energy efficient model and secure the maximum State Government rebate before the rebates close on May 31.

Shell scenario sees potential for natural gas to be a leading global energy source

Thu, 14 March 2013 Shell has released new scenarios that explore two possible ways the 21^st century’s energy future could unfold, with one of these scenarios seeing natural gas becoming the most important energy source globally by the 2030s.

The road ahead for unconventional oil and gas in SA

The development of South Australia’s nascent unconventional gas industry will take considerable knowledge, time and stakeholder engagement in order to maximise its potential benefits. Speaking to Gas Today, SA Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy Executive Director – Energy Resources Barry Goldstein outlines the production of the Roadmap for Unconventional Gas Projects in South Australia and the huge opportunities that await the central state.

Growing Australia’s shale potential – a legal perspective

K&L Gates Partner Fiona Melville has specialised in the energy and resources industry for over 16 years. Here, Ms Melville speaks to Gas Today on the opportunities that shale gas offers Australia and the legal considerations for companies wishing to further expand or enter Australia's lucrative shale exploration and extraction business.

Growing Australia’s shale potential – a legal perspective

Tue, 5 March 2013 K&L Gates Partner Fiona Melville has specialised in the energy and resources industry for over 16 years. Here, Ms Melville speaks to Gas Today on the opportunities that shale gas offers Australia and the legal considerations for companies wishing to further expand or enter Australia's lucrative shale exploration and extraction business.