Viva Energy is seeking approval to develop a gas terminal at the Geelong Refinery. The Gas Terminal would provide the infrastructure to bring natural gas from various locations in Australia and overseas to meet the projected gas shortage in south-east Australia.
The Gas Terminal would require a Floating Gas Terminal, an extension to Refinery Pier, a Treatment Facility and a new pipeline.
Having the Gas Terminal adjacent to the Geelong Refinery would leverage our capability as an existing Major Hazard Facility (MHF) operator and offer potential synergies between the two facilities, including the re-use of seawater.
Over the two year construction period, the project would provide 150-200+ jobs and around 70 ongoing local jobs once the terminal is in full operations.
The project is subject to the relevant regulatory and Board approvals.
Artist's depiction of the proposed Gas Terminal showing the various elements of the facility
Artist's depiction showing the proposed Gas Terminal
Gas Pipeline
To get the gas from our terminal to homes and businesses across Victoria we will need to construct about 7kms of pipeline to transport the gas to the Victorian Transmission System (VTS). About half of the pipeline will be on Viva Energy’s land and will be in two sections:
- an above ground section (~3km) from the floating gas terminal to new treatment facilities
within the refinery boundary; and
- an underground section (~4km) to take the gas to the VTS.
The exact pipeline route is not finalised and will be further developed through consultation with landowners and occupiers and other stakeholders who may be impacted by the Pipeline.
The Pipeline may only be constructed and operated with the consent of the Minister administering the Pipelines Act 2005 (Vic).
Download further information about the pipeline component of the project
Viva Energy Gas Terminal Pipeline Fact Sheet
Pipeline Construction Fact Sheet
Pipeline Regulatory Approvals
Consultation Plan
Accordion End
Project benefits
Why we need a gas terminal
Victorian manufacturing, businesses and households currently consume approximately 30 percent of gas demand in South-Eastern Australia. Having a secure and competitive supply of gas is critical to our economy and our livelihoods.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) is forecasting gas shortages in Victoria as early as winter 2023 and seasonal shortages from 2027.
Similar forecasts were made in the ACCC Gas Enquiry Report in January 2023 and Victoria’s Gas Substitution Roadmap 2022, which both highlighted the need for additional gas supply in Victoria and south-eastern Australia in the immediate future.
Our proposed Gas Terminal could shore-up supply to Victoria in the medium term, while the transition to renewables accelerates. It could receive Australian sourced gas, or internationally sourced gas, whichever is the most cost-effective.
Download The Case for Gas
Overall Project Benefits
Gas Supply
- New source of gas for south-east Australia to fill projected gas shortages
- Secure supply of gas for households and industry
- Short total new pipeline required (~7km) from gas terminal to Victorian Transmission System at Lara
- Majority of the pipeline (~4km) will be underground in existing easements
- Proposed pipeline corridor impacts a small number of landholders
Location
- Strategic location in major bulk port
- Access to Port of Geelong shipping channel
- LNG carrier visits represent a small increase (~5%) in total ship traffic to Port of Geelong
- Proximity to the Victorian Gas Transmission System at Lara
Environment
- Proposed reuse of floating gas terminal seawater discharge in existing refinery operations could minimise environment impacts.
- Located outside of sensitive Ramsar wetlands site
Geelong Refinery
- Long history working with our neighbours and investing in our local community
- Existing industrial complex operated by an experienced MHF operator
- Potential for floating gas terminal seawater discharge to be managed within existing refinery licence
Formal Community Involvement
March - April 2022 – EES exhibition and lodgement of submissions.
The 30-day public exhibition period for the EES closed on April 11.
June - July 2022 – The Viva Energy Gas Terminal Inquiry and Advisory Committee public hearing was held between June 20 and August 5.
March, 2023: The Victorian Minister for Planning determined that a supplementary statement is required.