Regional LNG: Australia's NT to push for gas supply to the US
Thursday, January 15 2004 - 03:42 AM WIB
The NT government will this week meet with a key United States representative to push the benefits of NT gas for supply to US markets.
NT Business and Industry Minister Paul Henderson will meet with US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham in Melbourne on Friday.
Abraham, a member of the US Cabinet, oversees the US Department of Energy, which has a $US23 billion ($A29.62 billion) budget.
"The demand for gas within the US market is now outstripping supply capacity, and the US is looking for import opportunities into the future," Henderson said.
"I will be pushing for the Sunrise gas fields to be a secure source of energy for the US market."
Henderson said it was important for Mr Abraham to hear first hand about the strengths of the Timor Sea and its gas resources.
"We have long been lobbying for the Sunrise gas fields to be developed and brought onshore in the Territory," he said.
"Supplying the US market, which is expected to grow by 40 per cent by 2007 - would certainly create the conditions for that development, and we are aiming to capitalise on that opportunity to bring Sunrise onshore to further strengthen our economy and secure jobs for Territorians."
Henderson said Abraham was in Australia to meet with major gas producers and government representatives on the potential of Australian gas projects to supply Liquefied Natural Gas to expanding US markets.
Partners in the Sunrise project are yet to decide whether they would develop a floating LNG plant to process the gas, or bring it onshore, which is the NT government's preferred option.(*)