A new multi-million dollar coal seam gas (CSG) industry supply plant has been officially opened in Toowoomba, and will begin supplying pipeline systems to the state's growing industry.

 

The $28 million facility was officially opened by Minister for State Development, Jeff Seeney, and will allow Iplex Pipelines, a division of Fletcher Building, to supply about 7,000 km of polyethylene pipe to two CSG projects - QGCs Queensland Curtis LNG and Santos GLNG. 

 

Mr Seeney said Iplex had already proved its mettle, with pipe deliveries on its $120 million contract with QGC having started late last year from its factories in Townsville and Albury in New South Wales. 

 

“Manufacture of pipe has progressed steadily since starting last October, with an average of 45 truckloads of pipe being delivered to the QGC site each week,” he said. 

 

“These deliveries have been projected to continue over a two year period ending late 2013.” 

 

The company also started production of pipe and fittings for its CSG contract for the Santos GLNG project last June. 

 

Iplex Pipelines General Manager for Infrastructure Kevin Kellow said the factory would use the very latest pipe extrusion technology to achieve fast and efficient production with reduced energy processes. 



“In addition to day to day business, this will allow us to keep up with the demand being generated by the factory’s two Queensland based CSG project supply contracts,” he said.