Acquirer(s)

  • Alinta Ltd, Diversified Utility and Energy Trust, Alcoa of Australia Ltd

Target(s)

  • Epic Energy Australia Trust, Epic Energy Pty Ltd

Summary

DUET/Alcoa/Alinta Consortium's acquisition of Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline.

Market definition

For the purpose of competition assessment, the relevant markets were considered to be the markets for retail supply of gas to south-west region of Western Australia and generation of electricity on Western Australia's south-west electricity network.

Competition analysis

On 25 October 2004 the ACCC accepted a section 87B undertaking from Alinta Limited (20%), Alcoa of Australia Limited (20%) and DUET (60%) (combined 'the Consortium').

The Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline (DBNGP) provides transmission of gas from the North West Shelf to customers along the length of the pipeline and into the Perth area. The DBNGP is the only means for transmitting gas from the Carnarvon Basin to the Perth Region for gas retailing. A significant quantity of the gas transmitted along the DBNGP is used for electricity generation on Western Australia's south-west electricity network.

Detailed reasons for the decision are provided on the ACCC website.

Resolution

Undertakings

Guidelines thresholds

Unknown

Imports above 10%

Unknown

Initiation

Parties

ANZSIC code

6501