Gurdip Singh
Special Correspondent
Australia
ADELAIDE, Australia -- The Australian Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane has challenged the Australia gas producers to stretch their 2017 LNG export targets to 60 MM metric tons (66 MM tons) per year from a current level of 50 MM metric tons (55 MM tons) per year.
Speaking at the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) 2007 conference today, Macfarlane told the APPEA members to keep Australian on track to be one of the world's third LNG exporters within 10 years.
"Demand for LNG from the Asia Pacific rim is forecast to grow strongly as nations look to LNG as a clean energy fuel of the future as well as an important part of their energy security mix," Macfarlane said.
"With construction of the North West Shelf fifth train well advanced and expansion of the Darwin LNG facility expected in the not-too-distant future, Australia is on track to be one of the world's top three exporters within the next decade," Macfarlane said.
Gas also would play an important role in Australia's domestic energy mix, especially with the potential for lower greenhouse gas emissions through the development of carbon capture and storage technology, the minister added.
4/16/2007
