Gas market participant types
A wide variety of people, businesses and organisations participate in the gas markets and systems operated by AEMO. These participants operate across wholesale and retail markets, as well as information services such as gas bulletin boards.
The roles played by these participants – from gas production and transportation through to trading and consumption – are defined by specific registrable capacities. These capacities determine the registration requirements, responsibilities and functions of each type of participant, and are codified under the National Gas Rules (NGR).
Participants may operate in multiple gas markets and can be registered in more than one capacity depending on their activities.
Types of gas market participants
Participants in AEMO’s gas markets broadly fall into the following categories.
Producers and facility operators
Producers and facility operators are responsible for supplying gas into the system and operating the infrastructure that enables its production and storage.
This includes:
- Production facility operators
- Storage providers
- Compression facility operators
These participants play a critical role in ensuring gas supply is available to meet demand.
Pipeline operators and transport participants
Pipeline operators manage the infrastructure used to transport gas between production facilities, storage facilities, and demand centres.
This includes:
- Pipeline operators
- Transmission pipeline service providers
- Distribution network operators
These participants are responsible for the safe and reliable transportation of gas across the network.
Shippers and traders
Shippers and traders are responsible for arranging the movement of gas through pipelines and participating in market-based trading.
This includes:
- Shippers (who contract for gas transportation services)
- Participants in wholesale markets, such as:
These participants help balance supply and demand and support price discovery in gas markets.
Retailers and large users
Retailers and large users purchase gas for consumption or resale.
This includes:
- Retailers supplying gas to residential and business customers
- Large industrial users and generators
These participants represent the demand side of the gas market.
Gas Bulletin Board (GBB) participants
The Gas Bulletin Board (GBB) and WA Gas Bulletin Board (WA GBB) provide publicly accessible information about gas production, transportation and demand.
To support these information services, specific participants are required or eligible to register in GBB-related capacities, including:
- Pipeline operators
- Production facility operators
- Storage providers
- Shippers (eligible)
- Allocation agents and reporting entities
These participants are responsible for submitting data that supports transparency and informed decision-making across the gas market.
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Gas market participation
AEMO operates a number of wholesale and retail gas markets and information services across Australia. Participants may be active in one or more of these markets, including:
Each market has its own registration requirements, processes and obligations. To participate, entities must register with AEMO in the relevant registrable capacities.
For registration information, see: