APTNT - Revocation of ring fencing exemption

On 17 April 2025, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) published its draft decision to revoke an exemption granted to APT Pipelines NT Pty Ltd (APTNT) from ring-fencing requirements under section 140 of the National Gas Law (NGL). The revocation will take effect on the date that we make a final decision.

In August 2011, the AER exempted APTNT from its ring fencing obligations under s. 140 of the NGL. This exemption from ring fencing requirements was a continuation of a notice issued in March 2002 by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission waiving the requirement for NT Gas Pty Ltd to meet its ring fencing requirements.

On 14 November 2024, APTNT applied to revoke the exemption granted to it as its subsidiary, NT Gas Distribution Pty Ltd was no longer going to be taking part in a related business from 31 December 2024. 

Have your say

We invite stakeholders to provide written submissions by 13 May 2025.  Submissions and requests to make a submission via alternative methods should be emailed to gaspipelineexemptionsaer [dot] gov [dot] au (gaspipelineexemptions[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au).

We prefer to make written submissions publicly available, to facilitate an informed and transparent consultative process. We will treat written submissions as public documents unless otherwise requested.

Background

The ring-fencing framework set out in Part 2 of Chapter 4 of the National Gas Law provides for the specific requirements applicable to gas pipeline service providers. The provisions ensure that related businesses do not gain a competitive advantage by virtue of their common ownership or operation with pipelines.

Service providers may apply to the AER for an exemption from the ring-fencing provisions under rule 34 of the National Gas Rules. 

Learn more about ring-fencing

The AER has published a Compliance bulletin – new obligations on gas pipeline, compression and storage service providers and a Gas ring-fencing decision guide.