Backbone of Queensland gas industry turns 30

A piece of Queensland gas infrastructure that laid the foundation for thousands of jobs in Queensland’s gas and manufacturing industries – the Queensland gas pipeline - turns the big 3-0 tomorrow (Saturday 25 July).  

Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said thousands of jobs, hundreds of petajoules of gas and multi-billions in economic stimulus had flowed from the pipeline over the past three decades.

“Queensland’s gas and manufacturing industries support more than 200,000 jobs now, and have generated thousands more paypackets across the state since 1990,” he said.

“Government, industry, unions and health authorities have worked closely together throughout the pandemic to keep the resources sector operating and keep safe their people, and the communities they live and work in.

“The health response has been managed well, and resources and manufacturing remain central to Queensland’s economic strategy to create jobs.

 “That’s why the Government continues to support gas development, releasing almost 80,000 square kilometres of land for gas exploration over the past five years, over a quarter of it guaranteeing the gas will be for Australian consumers.”

Regional Development Minister and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher spent 21 years working with Queensland Alumina Limited at its Gladstone refinery.

“Gladstone is an industrial powerhouse today because of this pipeline, which delivered on the largest natural gas contract in Queensland’s history, transporting13 petajoules per year to Queensland Alumina’s refinery for 10 years.

“At the time, Queensland Alumina praised the pipeline as saving them $40 million worth of imported fuel costs year. “

Over the years, several companies have owned the pipeline.

Managing director of current owner Jemena, Frank Tudor, said Jemena had invested more than $140 million since 2010 to expand the pipeline which can now transport more than 52 petajoules of gas each year to businesses and industries in the Gladstone region.

“We’re working closely with small producers to provide and reliable and efficient path for new gas to be brought to market, helping to ease forecast gas shortages,” Mr Tudor said.

“This can be seen in the recent connection of Denison Gas at Rolleston, which established the QGP as a bi-directional pipeline.”  

APPEA Queensland director Georgy Mayo said the oil and gas industry continued to invest in important onshore infrastructure to help meet the energy needs of homes and businesses which relied on safe and sustained natural gas supply.

“The Queensland Gas Pipeline is a prime example of helping to deliver the state’s abundant gas resources to customers, including Australia’s east coast domestic market,” she said.

“Natural gas continues to play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions both domestically and globally.

“Natural gas is the perfect complement in enabling a shift towards renewable energy, providing essential back-up and peaking performance. This will continue for decades to come.”

[ENDS]

Media inquiries: Dr Lynham - Jan Martin 0439 341 314    Jemena - Michael Pintabona
0428 742 804

BACKGROUND

The original 530 km pipeline was built to deliver gas from Wallumbillah to Gladstone.

Commissioned by the Queensland Government, it was built by global construction company Saipem for $90 million – the equivalent of about $205 million today.

More than 300 Queenslanders worked to build the pipeline from 1989 to 1990 and the pipeline was officially opened on 25 July 1990.

The current 627km pipeline connects the Wallumbilla Gas Hub in south west Queensland to large industrial gas users in Gladstone and Rockhampton.

Gas from the pipeline supports the production of everyday items used by Australian homes and businesses including: aluminium, plasterboard and oil.

It also supports the manufacture of key inputs required by Queensland’s mining sector and supplies gas to distribution networks in Gladstone, Rockhampton, and the Wide Bay.