The National Competition Council (NCC) today issued its draft recommendation on the East Australian Pipeline Limited (EAPL) application for revocation of coverage of the Moomba to Sydney pipeline under the National Gas Access Code.

The draft recommendation proposes that coverage of the Moomba to Sydney pipeline continue. While Australian Pipeline Trust (APA) is disappointed at the draft recommendation, it notes that this is one step in a process which APA believes should eventually result in coverage being revoked.

The primary object in APA seeking revocation of coverage is to remove unnecessary regulation of the pipeline, given the competitive environment which exists between the Moomba to Sydney pipeline and the Eastern Gas Pipeline.

GOLDFIELDS GAS TRANSMISSION ISSUES WRITS AGAINST WA GOVERNMENT

Goldfields Gas Transmission (GGT), in which APA has a 40% interest, has issued writs against the State Government of Western Australia and Office of the Gas Access Regulator (OFFGAR) over the draft decision on gas transportation tariffs for the Goldfields Gas Pipeline.

GGT says it was forced to act as the Regulator, has in his draft decision, ignored provisions of its 1994 State Agreement designed to protect GGT from “material adverse effect” triggered by regulation, and all attempts at negotiation failed.

It is understood that this matter will be considered and an interpretation decided by the Supreme Court of WA in due course.