The domestic gas contract prices offered to commercial and industrial users for supply in 2022 increased from $6-8/GJ in late 2020 to about $7-9.50 by mid-2021, and the supply outlook looks tight but shortfall is not imminent, the ACCC’s latest gas report and a later update reveal.
Australia’s east coast spot market prices in recent months have been around $10-11/GJ, as domestic gas users have been somewhat shielded from the record high prices seen internationally. European gas markets have been highly volatile, and as of 28 January the outlook for prices on the Asian LNG spot market in 2022 was over $36/GJ on average.
Despite continued high overseas prices, domestic contract offers to commercial and industrial gas users in mid-2021 were below export parity prices. This was likely due to a range of factors, including expectations of relatively stable oil-linked LNG netback prices at the time, short-term domestic market dynamics and concerns over regulatory intervention.
Across the east coast gas market, forecasts are that supply should meet demand this year, but there is the risk of a shortfall from 2027. The southern states may have an 11 PJ surplus in 2022 which could continue into 2023.
Meanwhile, continued write-downs of proved and probable (2P) reserves, predominantly by LNG producers in Queensland mean supply shortfalls in the southern states from 2024 to 2030 (inclusive) are projected to continue.
ACCC Chair Rod Sims said the supply situation reinforces the importance of the Australian Government’s Heads of Agreement with LNG producers, which concludes on 1 January 2023.
The Heads of Agreement requires LNG exporters to offer uncontracted gas to the domestic market on internationally competitive terms before it is exported, and to provide relevant material to the ACCC to demonstrate they are complying with the agreement.
“Compliance with the Heads of Agreement by LNG producers is very important, given that Australia’s southern states may depend on their surplus gas in the coming years. LNG producers’ reporting to the ACCC has improved since the July 2021 report, but they can still do more to comply with the Heads of Agreement and make gas available on reasonable terms that users are capable of accepting,” Mr Sims said.
The ACCC also recommends that the Australian Government consider extending the Heads of Agreement well before it expires on 1 January 2023.
“Additional supply from a southern LNG import terminal from 2023, or more domestic supply from the north, may not be enough to address the projected shortfalls, and it may still be necessary to divert excess gas into the domestic market that would otherwise be exported if new supply can’t be developed rapidly enough,” Mr Sims said.
The report also makes findings from the first stage of the ACCC’s examination of competition in markets for the exploration, production and processing of gas for the east coast, including the factors affecting when gas is brought to market.
“The timing of the development of uncontracted reserves is critical for the domestic market but these decisions are largely in the hands of a relatively small number of major gas producers,” Mr Sims said.
“Our review suggests that there are a range of infrastructure, regulatory and capital factors impeding upstream competition and limiting gas supply.”
To address these issues, the ACCC recommends governments implement a range of reforms to encourage greater diversity of suppliers and reduce the barriers faced by producers. Upstream competition could be improved if owners of existing infrastructure such as processing and storage facilities provided third party access to this infrastructure on reasonable terms.
