High Expectations for Queensland's Coal Seam Gas Industry

The Australian Pipeline Industry Association has high expectations for the next decade.

The Chief Executive of the APIA, Cheryl Cartwright said that they expect $10 billion worth of high pressure gas pipelines to be built in the next ten years given the dramatic development of Queensland's coal seam gas industry.

Ms Cartwright said that the number is an incredibly conservative 'guesstimate'. With the Greens in the federal parliament influencing policy it is very likely that some energy users will find it better to shift from coal based energy to gas based energy.

The carbon pricing regime will influence the domestic usage of gas but as long as it sensible and not prohibitive many manufacturers and generators may prefer to move to gas from coal. Cheryl Cartwright was speaking at the start of the pipeline industry's annual conference in Darwin.

The construction of the high pressure gas transmission pipelines for Queensland's CSG and LNG projects will provide increased activity for the industry. Additional jobs will be created and more research will be needed into safe and efficient transport of gas resources.