The Federal Government yesterday increased pressure on Chevron Corp and Comalco Ltd to reach an agreement on supplies from the $2.1 billion Papua New Guinea-to-Queensland gas pipeline by pledging support of more than $100 million for an alumina refinery in the State.

The Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, said the Federal Government's support for Comalco's proposed $1.4 billion refinery at Gladstone could not be finalised until Comalco and other potential energy suppliers such as Chevron and its PNG Gas Project partners settled their negotiations.