Repairs completed on Jemena gas pipeline after leak at Bauhinia in Central Qld
Industrial customers continue to be affected by the leak in the Jemena gas pipeline at Bauhinia two weeks after a massive explosion described by one person as similar to a “jet roar”. UPDATES.
Rockhampton
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Repairs have now been completed to the area where an underground gas pipeline exploded earlier this month, seriously impacting industrial suppliers in Gladstone and wider Central Queensland.
A woman at nearby Bauhinia who heard the fiery eruption at Jemena’s Queensland Gas Pipeline about 7.30am on March 5 described the sound as similar to a “jet roar”.
Fire crews spent most of the day battling the raging inferno between the Rolleston Compressor Station and Oombabeer, about 220 km from Rockhampton.
The leak has forced it to operate at a reduced capacity.
An Australian Energy Market Operator spokesperson confirmed pipeline repairs were completed on Sunday, March 17.
Jemena commenced ramping up pipeline flows on Monday, March 18, stating work crews sent to the remote site had finalised repair works.
“Restoration activities for the return of the pipeline to service progressed over 11 days and saw crew conduct safety and engineering assessments, excavation, installation, welding, and construction works,” a Jemena statement read.
Jemena has begun to reintroduce gas in the pipeline at reduced volumes, in accordance with safety standards and procedures.
“This will increase the quantity of gas that is available to customers, “ it said.
“Jemena expects the volume of gas flows on the QGP will be increased progressively in accordance with safety requirements.
“Throughout the process Jemena will continue to liaise with the technical regulator.
The 627km Queensland Gas Pipeline was commissioned in 1990 by the Queensland Government and links Wallumbilla gas hub in southern Central Queensland to large industrial users in Gladstone and Rockhampton.
Natural gas and coal gas enters the line at Wallumbilla and has receipt points at Gooimbah, Fairview, Westgrove, Rolleston and Moura.
Some of the industrial businesses connected to the line include Queensland Nitrates, Boyne Smelters, Rio Tinto Yarwun Refinery, Orica Yarwun, Queensland Magnesia Facility and Queensland Alumina Limited Refinery.
Rio Tinto, which represents Gladstone companies Boyne Aluminium Smelter, Yarwun Alumina Refinery and Queensland Alumina Limited, said it is continuing to work with Jemena.
“Currently, our operations are stable, though our alumina refineries are running at reduced capacity due to reduced gas supply,” a spokesperson said.
“The safety and wellbeing of our people and our environment remains our top priority.
“There has been no change to Rio Tinto’s production guidance.”
Resources Safety and Health Queensland is investigating the incident and has advised it will be some time before a cause would be known.
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