Gas Transmission and Distribution
Natural gas provides an affordable, clean energy solution that will assist Australia in the transition to a carbon-constrained environment. Gas is an essential energy source for the industrial and manufacturing sectors in Queensland and is increasingly used in electricity generation. Now and in years to come, the gas industry will play a significant role in Queensland’s continued strong economic and regional development while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Gas Transmission and Distribution refers to the supply of natural gas via transmission and distribution pipelines and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) via cylinders to domestic, commercial and industrial customers. It does not refer to the extraction of gas from its source (covered by the Process Industry Training Advisory Body), nor the installation or maintenance of gas appliances within domestic or manufacturing environments.
The gas industry is a major supplier of energy to Queensland, supplying around 30% of industry energy needs and 20% to residential homes. Gas is supplied in the form of natural gas, which is carried by transmission pipelines and reticulated networks, or as LPG, which can be supplied by a reticulated network, but is generally carried in cylinders. When natural gas is chilled to minus 160 degrees it forms Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), which can also be carried in tankers or cylinders.
Gas Transmission
There are five major natural gas transmission pipelines in Queensland where natural gas is transported from the field to market including:
• Ballera to Roma Pipeline – Epic Energy
• Carpentaria Gas Pipeline (Ballera to Mt Isa) – APA Group
• Roma to Brisbane Pipeline (Wallumbilla to Brisbane) – APA Group
• Roma to Gladstone and Rockhampton Pipeline - Jemena Limited
• Moranbah to Townsville Pipeline – AGL Energy and Arrow Energy
The Roma Brisbane Pipeline (RBP) transports gas from the regional gas hub near Roma to markets in Brisbane and regional centres along the pipeline route including large industrial customers and gas-fired generators. Additional inlets have also been added to receive coal seam gas from new production areas.
Gas Distribution
Natural gas distribution networks in Queensland (serviced by transmission pipelines) are operated by two major gas distribution businesses - APA Gas Networks and Origin Energy. These networks service high population growth centres including Brisbane and the regional areas of the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Oakey, Roma, Dalby, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, Gladstone and Rockhampton.
Image supplied courtesy of APA Group.