APA Group’s plans to build the 380km Bulloo Interlink Pipeline between Queensland and New South Wales are moving through the federal environmental approvals process. 

The company in February announced a $220 million investment in the high-pressure gas transmission pipeline, funding early works and the procurement of long lead items.

Connecting the South West Queensland Pipeline (SWQP) to the Moomba Sydney Pipeline (MSP), the project is part of Stage 3 of the company’s broader East Coast Gas Grid (ECGG) expansion plan. 

The expansion work is expected to increase north-to-south gas transport capacity by 30 per cent to help address projected southern market gas shortfalls from 2028. 

APA said the referral of the Queensland and NSW sections of the Bulloo Interlink Pipeline for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act marked an important milestone for the critical infrastructure project.

“Incremental investment in existing pipeline infrastructure is a reliable and cost-efficient way to deliver the gas needed along the east coast, with APA having already delivered a 25 per cent increase in north-to-south transport capacity over the last five years,” APA chief executive officer and managing director Adam Watson said.  

“AEMO has been clear that unlocking northern gas supply and expanding existing pipelines will push out projected shortfalls in southern markets into the 2030s.

“The BIL is an important part of that, helping to ensure the significant volumes of gas reserves available in Queensland and the Northern Territory can be delivered to power homes and businesses along the east coast.  

“Investment in this project will be supported by a well-designed domestic gas reservation that delivers investment in new supply, lower and more stable gas prices and long-term certainty for the market.” 

Construction of the Bulloo Interlink Pipeline is proposed to start next year, subject to the receipt of relevant approvals and a final investment decision.

APA said the project was targeted for completion in 2028 and would have an 800 TJ/day maximum north-to-south transport capacity.