Rick Wilkinson
OGJ Correspondent
MELBOURNE, Feb. 21 -- Industrial growth in Western Australia has prompted an increase in the size of the proposed Stage 5 expansion of the Dampier-Bunbury natural gas trunkline to handle an additional 375 TJ/day of natural gas to come online in 2007-09.
This will require the laying of 1,150 km of pipeline alongside the existing pipe at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion (Aus.).
When combined with the current $433 million (Aus.) for the Stage 4 expansion of 200 km of looping line to supply an extra 100 TJ/day, the Stage 5 proposal will virtually duplicate 90% of the trunkline route.
The Stage 5 expansion will provide a base for future electricity generation, industrial growth, and domestic gas supply in Western Australia.
Dampier Bunbury Pipeline Co. hopes to secure approvals from the Western Australian Economic Regulation Authority as well as to finalize renegotiated customer contracts in time for a final board commitment to the funding of the Stage 5 expansion by midyear.