,

Editor’s comment

Manufacturers, operators, politicians, farmers, community leaders, associations, social commentators, international observers – everybody has their opinion on solving the issue of Australia’s rising gas prices.

Although each of these stakeholders is representing their own interests in Australia’s burgeoning gas market, simple economics dictates that in order to bring prices down during periods of high demand, supply must increase.

NSW, despite currently importing around 95 per cent of its gas requirements, has yet to move on from its current political impasse on the state’s gas supply issue, and is facing imminent gas price hikes over the coming year as the first of Gladstone’s LNG plants looks to receive first gas by the end of 2013.

Critical to solving the state’s gas exploration and production concerns is improved liaison with landowners and community groups. This edition features an informative interview on the issue with National Farmers’ Federation President Duncan Fraser, as well as a case study detailing QGC’s innovative engagement with farmers in the Surat Basin.

The development of Victoria’s unconventional gas industry has also been under the spotlight, with former Howard minister Peter Reith submitting his report on the industry to the Victorian Premier in early November. Gas Today‘s one-on-one interview with Mr Reith is featured on page 16. Sources tell me this report and its recommendations supporting lifting Victoria’s fraccing moratorium and other pro-industry measures will be released shortly by the Government – watch this space.

This edition I am also pleased to announce the implementation of Gas Today‘s Editorial Board.

Our primary goal in the creation of the Editorial Board is to lift the level of informed and moderated debate within the Australian gas industry and disseminate this discussion through the pages of Gas Today.

The inaugural Editorial Board comprises Keith Orchison, Principal of Coolibah Consulting and a previous Chairman of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association; Barbara Jinks, one of Australia’s most senior gas industry advisors and current Executive Director of the LNG18 conference; and Paul Balfe, Executive Director of ACIL Allen Consulting, the largest Australian-owned, independent, economic, public policy, and public affairs management consulting firm in Australia.

You can read more on our Editorial Board in the following pages.

Finally, enclosed in this edition you will find the Export LNG in Australia map, an excellent and timely wallchart containing detailed information on all existing, under construction and proposed LNG facilities in Australia, as well as each plant’s associated pipeline infrastructure.

Leave a Reply

Send this to a friend