Pipeline companies unveil plans to bring Beetaloo gas to Australia's east coast

Infrastructure company Jemena has unveiled plans to build a 400-kilometre connection from the Beetaloo Basin to the Northern Gas Pipeline (NGP), which runs from Tennant Creek to Mount Isa and is currently the only pipeline linking NT gas resources to the east coast. Separately, APA Group has lodged plans for a new 1,500-kilometre pipeline from the Beetaloo—about 500 kilometres south-east of Darwin—directly to south-west Queensland, with environmental assessment now underway.

Jemena managing director David Gillespie told the NT Resources Week conference that if the proposal were built and the general network improved, the full potential of the Beetaloo could be realised. "I do think there is a great opportunity to see the NT or the Beetaloo … [not] being infrastructure constrained," he said. "The resource is expected to be very material, and so the sort of infrastructure that's being built to support it is typically 20 to 30 years at a minimum."

Gillespie could not say how much Jemena's pipeline would cost, but noted that the 622-kilometre NGP cost $700 million when it opened in 2018. He said Jemena would submit a pipeline permit application with the NT government before the end of the year and would not seek public subsidies.

APA chief executive Adam Watson said in a statement that the company's North to East Australia Pipeline (NEAP) was "critical, nation-building infrastructure" and that "unlocking the Beetaloo Basin [will] support energy security and transition for households, businesses and our key manufacturing sectors." The NEAP requires environmental approval from the Queensland, NT and federal governments.

Gillespie described the two projects as complementary rather than competitive. "We're more in concert than we are in competition," he said, adding that the early focus would be on supplying domestic markets before transitioning to export as infrastructure improved. "The plans that APA might have, I think, ultimately go to some of the longer-term opportunities for the Beetaloo to be a key export producer."

Why This Matters

The proposed pipelines could significantly boost east coast gas supply at a time when Australia faces potential domestic gas shortfalls in the coming years.
The development of Beetaloo Basin gas has been contentious due to environmental concerns over fracking and greenhouse gas emissions.
These projects involve billions of dollars in infrastructure investment and require multiple government approvals, making them a major test of Australia's energy and climate policy.

Background

The Beetaloo Basin, located about 500 kilometres south-east of Darwin, is a vast shale gas formation that the NT government and gas industry have touted as a major resource for domestic energy and export. Currently, the Northern Gas Pipeline is the only conduit connecting NT gas to the eastern states. First gas from the basin entered the NT power grid this week, marking a symbolic milestone. Both Jemena and APA are seeking to expand that connection significantly.

Key Perspectives

[Jemena and APA Group (Proponents)]: Both companies argue the pipelines are essential for energy security and economic development. Jemena sees its 400-km spur as a near-term solution to unlock production, while APA positions its 1,500-km NEAP as transformational nation-building infrastructure. Jemena says it will not require public subsidies. [NT Government]: Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has strongly backed the basin's development, describing its potential as immense. The government is expected to process Jemena's permit application by year's end. [Environmental groups and critics]: Though not directly quoted in the sources, these groups have historically raised concerns about the climate impact of new gas infrastructure and the risks of fracking in the NT. The requirement for environmental approvals at state and federal levels suggests significant scrutiny ahead.

What to Watch

Jemena's pipeline permit application deadline with the NT government before the end of 2026.
Progress of environmental assessments for APA's NEAP under Queensland, NT, and federal processes.
Any further statements from the federal government on gas policy or emissions reduction targets that could affect project timelines.

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