The Stage 5B Expansion Project
The project
The DBNGP is going to undergo an important expansion to increase the pipelines gas haulage capacity. The West Australian economy relies heavily on a reliable supply of natural gas and the expansion will allow for further economic growth in our booming state. This expansion is known as the Stage 5B Expansion Project.
WestNet Energy has been contracted by DBP to project manage the expansion project. McConnell Dowell has been appointed as the looping construction contractor.
Project Update - Pot-holing in Ellenbrook and the Swan Valley
From January 2009 pot-holing will be carried out in the Swan Valley and Ellenbrook areas. Pot-holing is a process that pin points the exact location of the DBNGP underground and also locates any other services that may be nearby like power or water services. This will not have any major impact on the community and will involve a small crew of employees and a potholing vehicle. If you have any questions about this process please contact the land management team.
Contact Us
If you want to find out more about the Stage 5B Expansion Project take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions or explore the fact sheets linked to this page.
If you want to contact someone about the Stage 5B Expansion Project contact the DBP Land Management Team on:
Land Manager
WestNet Energy
PO Box 3141
Perth WA 6832
Phone: (08) 6213 7017 or email land.management@wng.com.au.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DBNGP?
The Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) connects the gas fields off Western Australia's North West Shelf to customers in the state's south-west. Stretching almost 1,600km the pipeline is one of the longest and largest in capacity in Australia, with the capacity to transport over 785 Terajoules (TJs) of natural gas per day. To put this into perspective, just 1TJ of gas is enough to supply an average home for about 50 years.
The Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) is Western Australia's longest and largest transmission pipeline for natural gas. The DBNGP is the only natural gas pipeline connecting the Carnarvon Basin in Western Australia's North West Shelf with industrial, commercial and residential consumers in Perth, the surrounding region and Bunbury.
Designed and constructed in the early 1980s to world industry standards the DBNGP's high standard of engineering design, construction and maintenance make it a safe and reliable natural gas pipeline.
Who owns and manages the DBNGP?
Dampier Bunbury Pipeline (DBP) is the trading name of the group of companies and trusts which own the DBNGP.
WestNet Energy (a division of Alinta Asset Management) has been appointed by DBP as asset manager, with responsibility for the day-to-day management of the pipeline. WestNet Energy was the project manager of the recently completed Stage 4 and Stage 5A Expansion Projects and will take on the same role for the Stage 5B Expansion Project.
What does the Stage 5B Expansion involve?
DBP is investing almost $700 million to increase the capacity of the pipeline by about 110 TJ per day and expand Western Australia's opportunities.
The capacity of the pipeline will be increased through the installation of an additional 440 km of parallel pipe (looping) and through modifications to the compressor stations required to handle the additional volumes of gas. At the completion of Stage 5B approximately 94% of the pipeline will have been duplicated.
There will be 11 loops in Stage 5B which will add 440km of parallel pipe to the DBNGP. The installation of additional pipe alongside the existing pipeline and joining the pipes is a process known as looping. All loops will be located within the existing 30m-wide DBNGP corridor over which DBP has a statutory right of access. The new pipeline loops will be connected back into the existing pipeline.
Looping will be the major construction activity conducted during the Stage 5B Expansion Project and will involve trenching, pipe laying, backfilling and rehabilitation.
The pipes are delivered to site in short lengths and are then welded together in sections. There will be over 24000 welds, each meeting the exacting standards of the relevant Australian Standard (AS2885).
Specialised crews will pass along the pipeline corridor, installing and testing the new pipeline, then backfilling the trench and rehabilitating the corridor. The loops vary in length from 22km to 115km.
Given the speed at which looping progresses, construction activities have a relatively brief impact at each location, minimising the inconvenience to landowners. The corridor will be rehabilitated in accordance with the requirements of DBP's environmental approvals.
DBP and WestNet Energy have extensive experience in the operation and construction of gas pipelines and gas facilities. Both are committed to completing the expansion project safely, on time, on budget and with a minimal inconvenience to landowners and the general public.
What is Loop 9 ?
The Stage 5B Expansion Project will involve duplicating sections of the pipeline in the Swan Valley and Ellenbrook areas. This section of the project is known as 'Loop 9'.
The DBNGP Corridor runs through the suburb of Ellenbrook which means there are going to be some impacts on the community during the construction period. The DBNGP Corridor also runs through private property in the Swan Valley region, some landowners in this area are also going to be impacted by the construction.
Are we committed to the environment?
DBP and WestNet Energy are strongly committed to minimising the impacts on the environment due to DBNGP activities. Their policies are designed to ensure that all risks to the environment are identified, assessed and either avoided or managed in a manner which mitigates the impacts.
The Stage 5B Expansion Project will comply with all relevant legislation including the WA Environmental Protection Act 1986, the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004, the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. In addition, the project will adhere to the Australian Pipeline Industry Association's Code of Environmental Practice and DBP's and WestNet Energy's own high standards of environmental practice.
Are we committed to safety?
The safety of the community, our employees and contractors is of paramount importance to DBP and to WestNet Energy. The DBNGP is maintained to the highest international standards and is regularly patrolled on the ground and in the air to ensure the safety and integrity of the pipeline itself and the people who live near or work on it.
The safety culture of DBP and WestNet Energy is supported by comprehensive Health and Safety Management Systems and by extensive education and training of employees and contractors.
WestNet Energy's operations comply with, and often exceed the requirements of all relevant regulations and standards.
What is our safety record?
The safety of the community, our workers and the environment is the main focus of both the Dampier Bunbury Pipeline (DBP) as the pipeline owner and WestNet Energy as the manager of the pipeline. Both are fundamentally committed to Zero Harm, Safety First. Together DBP and WestNet Energy are focused on continuously improving our safety performance.
What types of safety procedures are in place?
Not only is the pipeline itself constructed and maintained to minimise any safety issues, as the asset manager WestNet Energy has a range of ongoing safety procedures in place.
For example, WestNet Energy carries out helicopter inspections of the pipeline area to ensure that there is no activity nearby which may impact the pipeline. The pipeline is also constantly inspected at ground level by maintenance staff.
In areas where the pipeline runs near communities, it is buried deeper in the ground to provide additional protection.
The pipeline is also monitored by pipeline controllers using computerised control systems 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If not handled correctly natural gas can be hazardous. However the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline has been engineered to specifically transport natural gas in a safe and efficient manner.
As natural gas is naturally odourless, an odorant is injected into the gas as it exits the pipeline so people in homes and businesses can detect the presence of gas by smell.
What is the DBNGP Corridor?
The DBNGP Corridor is the narrow strip of land containing the pipeline as it extends for nearly 1600 kilometres from Dampier to Bunbury. This land is an easement owned and managed by the State Government.
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) acting on behalf of the DBNGP Land Access Minister controls access to the DBNGP Corridor for the purposes of constructing and operating gas pipeline facilities. DPI also manages land use on the corridor to ensure the safety of people who access it and to protect the pipeline.
DBP and its contractors including WestNet Energy, have been granted rights of access to the DBNGP Corridor for the construction, operation, maintenance and enhancement of the pipeline.
What is the project timeline?
Construction on the Stage 5B Expansion Project is expected to begin in late 2008 and be completed in second quarter of 2010. Landowners will be kept fully informed of any need to access the DBNGP Corridor via their land.
Are there any environmental concerns?
The DBNGP Corridor was successfully rehabilitated after it was cleared during the original construction of the pipeline. DBP and WestNet Energy have demonstrated high standards of rehabilitation in Stage 4 and 5A.
The expansion must comply with the requirements of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the WA Environmental Protection Act 1986. Environmental approvals have been obtained and are subject to specific conditions. DBP is in the process of having the required environmental management plans prepared and approved.
While it is considered highly unlikely that any listed threatened species or declared rare flora would be impacted by the Stage 5B Expansion Project, mitigation measures will be put in place should impacts be identified as likely to occur.
The expansion will be conducted in consultation with State Government authorities such as the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), Department of Industry and Resources (DoIR), Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Are there any Aboriginal heritage concerns?
The construction of the original DBNGP was completed in accordance with a section 18 consent granted under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. Archaeological sites along the corridor were salvaged and/or relocated in accordance with those requirements at the time.
The Stage 5B expansion project will also be conducted in accordance with section 18 and 16 consents granted under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. This will involve some salvage of archaeological material which is identified on the corridor as a result of environmental wash. The project will engage Aboriginal monitors during all ground disturbance activities, as well as suitably experienced and qualified archaeologists and anthropologists to assist with the implementation of this work.
Prior to ground disturbing works there will be consultation with relevant Aboriginal groups with respect to specific sites of significance.
The expansion will be conducted in consultation with State Government authorities such as the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) and the Heritage Council of WA as well a the appropriate Aboriginal representatives.
Will land cleared for looping be rehabilitated?
The project's Environmental Management Plans will contain commitments to rehabilitate the land through reinstatement or revegetation. As part of the Environmental Approval process these commitments will be approved by the Department of Environment and Conservation before the works begin.
After looping construction is complete the corridor will be re-contoured to match the surrounding landform and erosion controls are put in place. Then, stockpiled topsoil will be spread evenly across the disturbed area and any cleared vegetation will be placed across the corridor to minimise soil erosion, provide a small fauna habitat and to act as a stock of seed.
The corridor will be reseeded in approved areas using native species local to the area to restore vegetation cover to the desired standards of rehabilitation.
Will people need access to my property?
Should the need arise for access across or through your property in order to access the pipeline corridor, WestNet Energy will seek your permission. You will be informed in advance as to when and for what purpose WestNet Energy or its contractors require access to the property.
You will be consulted to determine the most appropriate access methods for your property. For example, we will leave property gates open or locked according to your requirements.
To ensure the safe and reliable supply of natural gas to customers, normal pipeline operations and maintenance will also continue during the construction period. WestNet Energy will similarly advise you if there is a need to access the DBNGP corridor through your land for this purpose and will seek permission to do so.
Are you going to walk or drive on my property?
If the pipeline traverses your property there may be the need to access land by foot, vehicle or heavy machinery. You will be consulted to determine the most appropriate access route, taking into consideration the vehicles involved.
Who should I contact to learn more about how the construction could affect me?
Please contact the DBP Land Management Team at WestNet Energy on: (08) 6213 7017 or email:land.management@wng.com.au
What happens if my property is damaged?
DBP and WestNet Energy aim to complete the expansion project with minimum impact on land and property. Please contact the DBP Land Management Team at WestNet Energy on (08) 6213 7017, if you have any questions or concerns.
Are any hazards going to be created in the expansion?
During any construction project there may be an increase in hazards, particularly from an increase in heavy vehicle traffic. We will keep you informed of the work being undertaken on your land and will be asking you to keep clear of the construction zone for your own safety.
How will the expansion of the pipeline affect the activities able to be undertaken on the corridor?
The existing pipeline is buried, and the additional looping will also be buried. Land users will generally be able to resume previous land use activities above the pipeline once the works are completed.
Approval will be required from the DPI for any excavation activity, the erection of structures or any new works within the DBNGP Corridor.
Detailed information about what you can and cannot do in the pipeline corridor is available from the Department for Planning and Infrastructure:
The Manager Infrastructure CorridorsDepartment for Planning and Infrastructure
PO Box 1575,
Midland WA 6936
Phone (08) 9347 5130Email: infrastructure.corridors@dpi.wa.gov.au
Please always consult Dial Before You Dig before considering any work in or near the pipeline corridor. Phone 1100 or visit www.dialbeforeyoudig.com.au.
Why does the Stage 5B Project run through Ellenbrook?
DBP as owners of the pipeline are a ‘tenant’ in the State Government managed DBNGP Corridor which means that DBP only has rights within this corridor and cannot conduct any works outside of it. The corridor runs through Ellenbrook and therefore construction activities will occur in the area.
Any questions about the DBNGP Corridor and its location should be directed to DPI via:
The Manager Infrastructure Corridors
Department for Planning and Infrastructure
PO Box 1575, Midland WA 6936
Phone (08) 9347 5130 or email infrastructure.corridors@dpi.wa.gov.au
Will the expansion mean households along the DBNGP can directly access gas for domestic use?
No. The DBNGP is a high-pressure gas transmission line and it is not practical to provide gas services to individual households from such a pipeline.
Will the expansion mean that gas will be cheaper or more expensive?
The cost of gas transmission on the DBNGP will not change significantly as a result of the expansion. Gas transmission costs comprise only a small part of the price of gas delivered to a consumer and gas prices may vary for reasons unrelated to the DBNGP.
How much local content is being used in the expansion?
The design, engineering, installation and commissioning is being done with local WA resources. It will engage local community, subcontractors and service providers for a wide range of activities including civil works, labour, accommodation, catering, communications, transport, freight forwarding, storage, warehousing, security and many others.
Will a new corridor be created for the looping?
In accordance with gas industry best practice, the looping for the expansion of the pipeline will be constructed within the existing 30m DBNGP Corridor where DBP has rights to construct and operate pipelines. This same corridor was used for the construction of the original pipeline in 1983.
Will there need to be another expansion project again in a few years' time?
Stage 5B Expansion Project is the second of a proposed three stage expansion of the pipeline, known as the Stage 5B Expansion Project.
Timing of Stage 5C is dependent on customer requirements and will be influenced by a range of issues, including the price and availability of gas to support new project activity. The subsequent stage will involve the extension of the pipeline loops to be constructed during Stage 5B and will also involve further compressor station modifications. It will generally not affect the areas disturbed during Stage 5B.
Once agreement has been reached with new or existing customers for additional transmission capacity and a construction program established, landowners will be contacted and the expansion program explained.
Find out more
If you want to find out more about the DBNGP and the Stage 5B Expansion, please explore the fact sheets linked to this site.
If you wish to speak to someone, please contact the Land Management Team via the contact details at the top of this page.