Editor’s comment

FutureGAS is speeding around the corner, soon to hit Brisbane’s Sofitel Hotel from 9-11 March. The conference and exhibition offers attendees a wide-ranging view of industry developments and this edition takes a peek at some of what the conference has to offer.

Since the inaugural conference in 2009, the FutureGAS team has been planning an event where the industry can not only get down to business but where you can engage with leading industry speakers and colleagues and, very importantly, take an opportunity to relax and enjoy yourself.

The team is already on the case for FutureGAS 2011 so keep an eye on the FutureGAS (www.futuregas.com.au) and Gas Today (www.gastoday.com.au) websites for coverage of the 2010 event and 2011 news.

As part of this edition’s feature on distribution, we explore the factors that may affect demand for natural gas at a consumer level, and talk to distribution asset owners about the projects they are undertaking to meet these demands.

Energy Networks Australia CEO Andrew Blyth also looks at rising gas demand and smarter energy grids. With more choice, he says, consumers are increasingly choosing natural gas.

In the face of rising oil costs and a low emission future, it is no wonder that natural gas is emerging as a popular fuel for vehicles. We spoke to International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles Executive Director Brett Jarman and Australian Natural Gas Vehicles Association Executive Officer Ollie Clark about the outlook for gas-fired transport.

Meanwhile, Australian Centre for Natural Gas Management Chairman Arthur Dixon talks about the future of Australia as a gas exporter, emphasising the need for governments to support gas as a clean and abundant fuel source.

Gas Today Associate Editor Katherine St Lawrence reviews major projects in Australia, with LNG, coal seam gas (CSG), transmission and power generation propelling the industry’s growth.

CSG and power generation are ramping up, not without hurdles but certainly with confidence growing about the deliverability of projects. In the next edition of the magazine we revisit New Zealand as it emerges in the coal seam gas market, with L&M Energy booking the country’s first independently certified 3P CSG reserves late last year. Next edition we’ll also wrap up the FutureGAS 2010 Conference and Exhibition and turn to exploration and production in anticipation of the APPEA event in May.

The Gas Today team is working hard to deliver even more news and resources to promote industry achievement and growth, and keep the diverse industry up to speed on all things natural gas.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to seeing and speaking with everyone at FutureGAS 2010 and hearing your views about the decade that was and the decade to come.

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