Editor’s comment

Shell and PetroChina’s joint bid for Arrow Energy in March has endorsed Australia’s unconventional gas boom and its significance on the global scale. The bid has confirmed that this country’s resources will be first in line to satisfy flourishing energy demand in Asia.

In the wake of this potential transition, this edition’s feature on coal seam gas (CSG) couldn’t be more timely. On page 14, GHD’s Nick Hudson outlines options for the extraction and use of water as a byproduct of CSG. PIPA’s Mark Heathcote also discusses CSG gathering pipelines and the role of polyethylene pipe in the industry.

The Gas Today team would like to thank everyone who attended the FutureGAS 2010 conference and exhibition in March. Bringing together over 400 members of Australia’s natural gas industry, the event was a great chance for speakers, delegates, trade visitors and exhibitors to reunite and discuss the industry’s bright future. For a full wrap and photo gallery from the event, see page 44.

Thanks also to all the sponsors and supporters of FutureGAS, including MWM Energy Australia, GLP, Oceanic Industries, and Austral-Powerflo Solutions.

With plans already in action for FutureGAS’ return to Brisbane in 2011, you can keep up to date with the latest event news at www.futuregas.com.au

Despite the recent shelving of the proposed carbon pollution reduction scheme, the role of natural gas in electricity generation is growing as Australians become more carbon conscious. Bilfinger Berger Services Project Manager Val Tialshinky spoke to the magazine about the successes and challenges of constructing Origin Energy’s Mortlake Power Station. On page 36, Mark McCallum, Deputy Chief Executive of the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA), discusses the future of natural gas as a complementary fuel to renewable energy sources.

The next big event on the Gas Today calendar is the 50th APPEA Conference and Exhibition. If you are part of Australia’s upstream oil and gas industry, and heading to Brisbane from 16-19 May, make sure you visit the Gas Today team at booth 66. We spoke to some of the speakers from the business program to get their thoughts on the upstream industry (see page 54).

As CSG reaches new heights, investigations into other unconventional gases are gaining momentum. Gas Today looks at the potential for shale gas in Australia, following its boom in the United States.

Our focus also shifts south to New Zealand as journalist Stephanie Clancy discusses the state of the New Zealand natural gas industry. The New Zealand Government’s focus on further exploration has led to the country’s first CSG reserves being booked late last year, spurring a flurry of CSG exploration activity.

Finally, I hope you enjoy the project updates, policy and industry news we provide. If you haven’t already, make sure you sign up online for our free fortnightly news update.

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