The report finds that, after increasing in 2016, wholesale gas prices for large industrial customers fell in all east coast states in 2017.
“In 2017, the media often reported anecdotes about contract offers of $18 or more to industrial customers,” said Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) Chief Executive Dr Malcolm Roberts.
“Now, with the report to CoAG, we have a comprehensive, independent analysis which shows actual prices in the market.
“The report shows that the average delivered price for large industrial customers is $10.08/GJ, with the wholesale gas component of that price $9.19.
When they last reported to CoAG in 2015, the analysts advised that “gas prices reflect the supply and demand balance”.
In 2017, it changed to “wholesale gas prices increase with distance from Queensland”.
“Governments in Victoria and New South Wales should squirm when they read the report,” said Dr Roberts.
“Victoria now has the most expensive wholesale gas in the market. New South Wales is almost entirely reliant on interstate supplies of gas, mostly CSG from Queensland.
“The political gestures of bans and moratoriums may feel good to these state governments but customers in these states are paying the price.
“The report underlines a simple, inescapable truth – the only sustainable way to place downward pressure on gas prices and to improve energy security is more gas supply and more gas suppliers.”
“Cooler heads must prevail in 2018. The focus must move back to where it belongs – the need to ensure more gas supply and more gas suppliers.”