APA Group has progressed two pipeline projects after it received regulatory approvals for its North to East Australia (NEA) pipeline and its Bulloo Interlink pipeline.
APA received a pipeline permit from the Northern Territory state government to commence surveying a potential corridor for the NEA pipeline.
The pipeline will run from the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory to APA’s existing South West Queensland pipeline, linking to APA’s east coast gas grid, and connecting to major Australian demand centres.
The NEA pipeline would complement APA’s Sturt Plateau pipeline, which is nearing completion, and will flow gas to Darwin starting mid-2026.
APA CEO Adam Watson said the NEA pipeline is a potentially transformational project that will support energy security on Australia’s east coast.
“Beetaloo gas, delivered to southern markets via the NEA Pipeline, has the potential to ensure a reliable and affordable supply of Australian gas is available for the east coast, supporting Australian industry and households.
“Importantly, it will marry domestic gas supply with demand, and help avoid the need to import higher cost LNG from global markets to meet our domestic energy needs.”
Meanwhile, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has decided to classify APA’s proposed Bulloo Interlink pipeline as a non-scheme gas pipeline for the first 10 years once it is commissioned, making the project subject to a lighter form of regulation.
The Bulloo Interlink is planned to connect the South West Queensland Pipeline and the Moomba to Sydney Pipeline to transport gas from Queensland and the Northern Territory to New South Wales and Victoria.
APA had applied to the AER for a greenfields incentive determination for the Bulloo pipeline to be exempt from scheme regulation for a maximum 15-year period.
Under the National Gas Law and National Gas Rules, all gas pipelines in Australia are regulated as either scheme pipelines, meaning they are subject to a stronger form of regulation, or as non-scheme pipelines.
AER Chair Clare Savage said the decision balanced the need for investment in gas infrastructure while protecting the long-term interests of consumers.
“We recognise the strategic importance of the Bulloo Interlink in improving the efficiency, reliability, and resilience of Australia’s gas transmission system,” Savage said.
“Our decision supports investment in this gas transmission capacity that will help to meet demand from southern states, while protecting consumers from the risk that the pipeline’s owner can exercise longer-term market power.”
After the 10 years, the Bulloo Interlink will remain a non-scheme pipeline, but the AER will monitor and report on APA’s behaviour in the market.
“While there may be a review to determine if the pipeline should be subject to full regulation after 10 years, it doesn’t mean the Bulloo Interlink will automatically become fully regulated at the end of that period,” Savage said.
“We will continue to monitor its operation closely, ensuring the long-term interests of consumers remain central to its operation.”
