The Federal Government's push to fast track development of onshore gas in the Beetaloo has excited the energy companies who already have a stake in the region.
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Origin Energy and Santos with Empire Energy as a smaller player have been working for years to 'prove' the richness of the Beetaloo shale gas.
The Federal Government yesterday said it would "unlock" five key gas basins starting with the Beetaloo Basin in the NT and the North Bowen and Galilee Basin in Queensland, at a cost of $28.3 million for the plans.
Blue Energy managing director John Phillips today said it also had a stake in the Beetaloo and was "delighted" Prime Minister Scott Morrison "has identified" the Beetaloo from which new gas supply will be prioritised.
"The Prime Minister's National Gas Infrastructure Plan is very welcome because there are missing pipeline links that are needed to connect new projects like Narrabri and new basins like the North Bowen, South Nicholson in Queensland and Beetaloo in the Northern Territory," Santos managing director and chief executive officer Kevin Gallagher said.
Low priced gas to consumers relies on large scale gas developments, low operating costs, low corporate overheads, and low processing and transportation costs, Blue Energy said.
Blue Energy has acreage positions in the Beetaloo "which have been hamstrung by the lack of critical gas infrastructure".
Blue Energy is an Australian, Brisbane based ASX listed company which said it was ready to work with domestic manufacturers and gas users who require long term stable gas supply and to develop our gas resource for the East Coast domestic market.
Blue Energy's Mr Phillips said the company looks forward to working further with State, Federal and Territory Governments to assist in bringing the significant gas potential of these large resource areas to market in a timely manner.
"Exploration and development of these basins are critical to the enduring supply challenge Australia faces. Without exploration, there is no gas," Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association chief executive Andrew McConville said.
"Encouraging exploration activities by extending the Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive (JMEI) and allowing junior oil and gas explorers to access the scheme would help fast-track the exploration work that needs to be done in firming up these resources."
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