Gas pipeline owner APA Group has got serious about its hunt for a US acquisition, with new chief executive Rob Wheals pointing to "a long short-list" of opportunities the company is examining as it seeks to establish a foothold in the world's biggest gas market.

"We are a big supporter of having a good, hard look at the US," Mr Wheals said, after revealing that Ross Gersbach, APA's head of strategy and his key rival to replace former CEO Mick McCormack, would shift to Houston at the end of September to oversee the search.