PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Energy infrastructure group APA Group has officially opened its Northern Goldfields Interconnect (NGI) pipeline, in Western Australia, providing greater energy security and supporting growth and transition in the Western Australia resources sector.

The new 580-km buried pipeline connects the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline to the Goldfields Gas Pipeline, providing better access to existing and new natural gas production regions and gas storage infrastructure, especially in the emerging Perth basin.

APA CEO and MD Adam Watson said the NGI is the missing link for gas infrastructure in Western Australia, creating an interconnected gas pipeline network covering 2 690 km from north to south and west to east, and supporting long-term growth in key parts of the state’s resources sector.

“This infrastructure is the missing link in Western Australia’s gas network. For years an interconnected gas grid on the east coast has helped manage supply and demand challenges across key markets. With the completion of the NGI, linking Western Australia’s two major north-south gas pipelines, APA will ensure greater flexibility and security to meet the state’s long-term energy needs,” Watson said.

“The NGI also demonstrates that we are backing Western Australia’s resources sector. We are investing ahead of demand, supporting the government’s long-term growth plans in areas like critical minerals and providing confidence to project owners that reliable energy is available to bring new projects to market.

“Gas continues to be critical to support Australia’s key industries with energy security. Paired with renewables, the availability of gas will also ensure our resources and other customers can operate and grow while delivering on their broader decarbonisation objectives.

Western Australia Mines and Petroleum; Energy; Hydrogen Industry and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston said on Friday that projects like the NGI drove economic diversification and growth.

“Projects like this play a valuable role in helping to drive economic diversification and this pipeline provides a platform for growth opportunities throughout the Mid West and Goldfields,” Johnston said.

“The government is supportive of proponents that bring additional gas supply to market, especially as new supply is critical to meet demand.”