ARCP draft decision
The AER has released a draft decision to classify the Atlas to Reedy Creek Pipeline (ARCP) as a transmission pipeline.
On 10 February 2025, ARC Pipeline Pty Ltd applied to the AER for a classification decision for the ARCP.
ARC Pipeline Pty Ltd sought for the ARCP to be classified as a transmission pipeline. On 19 February 2025, commercial gas flowed through the ARCP for the first time.
Interested stakeholders are invited to make written submissions on the draft decision by 18 July 2025.
Submissions should be sent to AERGasReform
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (AERGasReform[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au).
Background
At the time of the application, ARC Pipeline Pty Ltd was a wholly owned subsidiary of Senex CSG Assets Energy Pty Ltd. On 18 June 2025, APA Group announced it will acquire 100% of ARC Pipeline Pty Ltd from Senex. The acquisition is expected to be finalised by the time we make our final decision on the ARCP’s classification. The change of ownership does not impact the draft or final decision.
All scheme and non-scheme pipelines must be either classified as a transmission or distribution pipeline.
Following reforms to the gas pipeline regulatory framework in 2023, the AER is responsible for determining the classification of pipelines which are not yet classified and for making decisions about the reclassification of pipelines.
Under section 117 of the National Gas Law, pipeline service providers are required to make a classification application to the AER within 20 business days after the commissioning of a pipeline, which is not yet classified as a distribution or transmission pipeline.
More information on the AER’s classification and reclassification powers can be found in Chapter 6 of the AER’s Regulatory Determinations and Elections Guide.