Eastern Australia gas outlook improves but winter shortfall still possible for south, watchdog says

ACCC says better 2023 forecast due to increase in production estimates and less uncontracted LNG that can be exported

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Eastern Australia’s gas supply outlook has improved, but there is still the prospect of a winter shortfall for southern states without piped supplies from Queensland or altered export contracts, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has said.

The ACCC’s March gas inquiry report found the outlook for 2023 had improved since January, with a projected gas shortfall of three petajoules for the year, down from the 30 petajoule shortfall forecast previously.

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