Government plans to introduce legislation into Parliament to broaden the gas specification on gas transmission pipelines. This will address the State’s tight gas supply by encouraging the development of fields that sit outside of the current delivery specifications of WA’s gas pipeline network.
The policy aims to:
The legislation will create a scheme under which gas producers are able to supply gas that will flow through a gas transmission pipeline that has a “broader” gas quality specification than gas currently able to be transported in Western Australia.
Broader specification gas can result in reduced capacity and increased operating and maintenance costs for pipeline operators, gas storage facility operators and large gas consumers in respect of their plant and equipment. The legislation will require the producers of broad specification gas to compensate operators and consumers for these losses.
In addition, some pre-1980 gas appliances may be rendered unsafe if the gas specification becomes too broad. A program will be undertaken to replace or modify such appliances to make them safe. This program will be funded by the producers of broad specification gas.
Read the Minister for Energy’s media statement.
The Bill was introduced to the Legislative Assembly and second read on Wednesday 19 August 2009. The Bill as tabled in Parliament and the associated Explanatory Memorandum can be viewed on the Parliament website. The Explanatory Memorandum provides an explanation of each clause of the Bill and outlines how the scheme is intended to operate.
A summary of the changes between the public consultation version and the Bill as introduced to Parliament can be viewed here.
Please direct any queries or concerns about the Bill to Mr Peter Adams on 9420 5654 or peter.adams@energy.wa.gov.au.
The Office advises that the Gas Supply (Gas Quality Specification) Bill 2009 can be altered or rejected by Parliament. Parties that rely on the Bill becoming law do so at their own risk.
The Office released the issues paper, Broadening the Gas Specification on Pipelines In Western Australia and invited feedback before close of business on 31 October 2008. Twenty public submissions were received in response to the issues paper.
The Government will also prohibit the use of some pre-1980 gas appliances that could have safety issues.
EnergySafety inspected a sample of pre-1980 gas appliances to determine the number that would have safety issues if the heating value of the gas supply was lowered.
The results of the survey, the statistical extrapolation of the results and the Director of Energy Safety’s recommendations are contained in the document Report on survey to determine the number of pre 1980 domestic gas appliances connected to the Perth metropolitan natural gas distribution system. The report is dated September 2008.
Peter Adams
Senior Manager, Industry
Office of Energy
DID: (08) 9420 5654
Tel: (08) 9420 5600
Email: peter.adams@energy.wa.gov.au
