Government welcomes expansion of Goldfields Gas pipeline

10/08/03
State Development Minister Clive Brown today welcomed an $11million expansion of the 1380kms Goldfields Gas Transmission pipeline.
The pipeline - the State's second largest - transports gas from the North West Shelf to Kalgoorlie and Kambalda, supplying gas to mineral processing projects throughout the Pilbara and Goldfields.
"The expansion will see the establishment of a new compressor station, to be situated 30kms from Paraburdoo, and it will ensure reliable gas supplies to the new $45million power station at Esperance," Mr Brown said.
The Minister said the Government welcomed the expansion as it will provide significant benefits and create new job opportunities for regional communities in the south of the State.
"Up to 40 people will be employed during installation, with two permanent jobs being created to service the existing pipeline once commissioning is completed," he said.
"This expansion will increase the capacity of the gas pipeline some 10 per cent to 108 terajoules per day.
"The expanded capacity will help feed the new gas-fired power station at Esperance, increase reliability of supply for all pipeline users and create spare capacity of up to five terajoules per day of gas for new users."
Work on construction of the new compressor station will begin this month and be completed early next year.
Mr Brown commended Goldfields Gas Transmission Pty Ltd for maximising local content associated with the installation of this specialised equipment, contracting some 30 per cent of the work to Western Australian companies.
Goldfields Gas Transmission general manager David King said the Paraburdoo expansion was the second expansion of the pipeline in the last three years, following a similar expansion in 2001 at Wiluna.
"Both expansions were achieved under the Goldfields Gas Pipeline State Agreement, which provides a framework for third party access and expansion of the pipeline as demand increases," Mr King said.
Esperance Power Station Pty Ltd started work on a 340km gas pipeline from Kambalda to its Esperance power station in May.
Minister's office: 9222 9699