Energy infrastructure company, Jemena, is planning to reverse the 797-kilometre Eastern Gas Pipeline (EGP) — potentially sending up to 300 TJ/d of gas south from New South Wales into Victoria.

The EGP, commissioned in 2000, traditionally brought gas from Bass Strait to the New South Wales and Sydney market, supplying over 70 per cent of gas across New South Wales at times.

The reversal project aims to make the EGP bi-directional, allowing it to deliver 200TJ/d south from Port Kembla Energy Terminal (PKET) — owned by Squadron Energy — by Winter 2026.

With PKET over 90 per cent complete, it is Australia’s most advanced LNG import terminal.

Depending on market demand, southern flows could be increased to 300TJ/d.

Jemena – Executive General Manager of Gas Markets – Cameron Dorse announced the project at the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook Conference, highlighting its importance in bringing additional gas south to Victoria before forecast gas shortages occur.

“As recently as last week the Australian Energy Market Operator signalled the urgent need for additional gas supplies to the major demand centres in Victoria and NSW,” said Dorse.

“We know gas plays a crucial firming role to renewable generation, particularly in the country’s south-east which is heavily dependent on gas to supply peaking energy as well as for use in domestic and commercial settings.

“The reversal project and Port Kembla Energy Terminal is the only realistic and viable option available to the market to make additional gas available quickly.”

Jemena has made significant progress in planning the reversal project, following the completion of works connecting PKET to the EGP last year.

This included constructing a 12-kilometre pipeline lateral from Port Kembla to Kembla Grange in the New South Wales Illawarra region and upgrading the Kembla Grange facility to include a metering station.

For more information about the project, visit www.jemena.com.au.