APA Commits A$700 Million to Bulloo Interlink Pipeline
The 340-kilometre gas pipeline will link southwest Queensland's existing network with the Moomba-to-Wilton Pipeline.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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APA Group has committed A$700 million to construct and commission the Bulloo Interlink Pipeline, following a final investment decision made on 22 October 2026. The underground high-pressure steel line will provide a more direct north-to-south gas corridor across Australia's east coast.
Why it matters
The pipeline is designed to add roughly 30% north-to-south transport capacity as part of Stage 3B of APA's East Coast Gas Grid expansion. It supports the movement of natural gas between regions that currently rely on longer routing.
The pipeline carries a design capacity of 800 terajoules per day over 340 kilometres, backed by a five-year take-or-pay agreement with Origin Energy. Remaining state-level and federal approvals are still pending before construction can start in early 2027.
The players
APA Group
APA Group is Australia's largest natural gas infrastructure business, operating pipelines and gas networks across the country.
Origin Energy
Origin Energy is one of Australia's largest energy retailers and gas suppliers, and has signed a five-year transportation and storage agreement for the pipeline.
Australian Energy Regulator
The Australian Energy Regulator is the national independent body that oversees energy markets and issued the green-fields incentive determination for the project.
The details
The Bulloo Interlink is a 340-kilometre underground high-pressure steel natural gas line linking the South West Queensland Pipeline with the Moomba-to-Wilton Pipeline. It is designed to be built to Australian Standard AS 2885 and is expected to have a design life of about 40 years.
Timeline
December 2025: The Australian Energy Regulator issued a green-fields incentive determination.
February 2026: A$220 million for early-works activities was approved.
July 2026: The Commonwealth environmental assessment entered its Queensland and New South Wales phases.
22 October 2026: APA made the final investment decision on the pipeline.
1 January 2028: Origin Energy gas transportation services are due to commence.
Market Landscape
The December 2025 green-fields incentive determination from the Australian Energy Regulator created the regulatory framework that enabled this investment. The project positions APA to expand its East Coast Gas Grid as Australia's gas network evolves.
The new pipeline is designed to improve how gas moves across eastern Australia, with greater north-to-south capacity. Consumers may see the effects through more reliable gas supply over the long term, though the timing depends on approvals still underway.
The takeaway
Major gas infrastructure investments often depend on a chain of regulatory and environmental approvals, so project timelines can shift before construction begins. Readers tracking energy supply should watch for the final approvals expected before early 2027.
What happens next
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027, pending remaining environmental, state-level and federal approvals.
Further reading
Explore more Oil and Gas developments across Australia's energy sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kenya Today.
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