Transmission Pipeline Capacity

Introduction

In recent years various aspects of pipeline capacity have caused concern. In Gas Industry Co’s 2006 Transmission Access Issues Review paper we identified access to short-term capacity on the Vector pipeline as an issue. More recently, in 2009, the capacity constraint in Vector’s North pipeline has caught some pipeline users by surprise. It now seems unlikely that additional capacity will be available on the North pipeline until system reinforcement is built. Since the North pipeline supplies a wide range of residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in and around Hamilton, Auckland, and Whangarei, this could be a constraint to gas market growth in these areas.   

Summary of Status

Gas Industry Co has talked with a range of market participants about their concerns in relation to pipeline capacity. Following these discussions, Gas Industry Co issued a consultation paper that considers Vector’s options for changing its commercial arrangements for transporting gas on its transmission pipelines. The paper can be accessed under the ‘Consultation’ tab. Submissions on the options paper have closed and can also be viewed under the 'Consultation' tab.