East coast gas producers have given only vague assurances on making more gas available for local users after Wednesday's CEO meeting in Canberra with the Prime Minister, confirming fears among manufacturers that they can expect little relief from high prices or any increase in supplies in the short term.

Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher said the company was "committed to working across all of our joint ventures to free up gas as well as continue to identify and develop new resources for the domestic market," without giving detail.