Heytesbury Underground Gas Storage Project

The HUGS Project will expand the storage capacity of the Iona Gas Storage Facility

Supporting the Australian Energy Market

Lochard Energy is developing the Heytesbury Underground Gas Storage (HUGS) Project, which will expand the storage capacity of the Iona Gas Storage Facility.

As Australia’s energy market transitions away from coal-fired power generation to renewable energy, energy storage capacity of different technology types is needed to ensure a consistent and reliable supply. The development of new gas storage capacity will help ensure there is adequate winter gas for generation to support the transition away from coal.

The HUGS Project will involve the development of a new wellsite and construction of an underground pipeline (the HUGS Pipeline). The HUGS Pipeline is required to transport gas between the proposed new wellsite and the Iona Gas Storage Facility.

The HUGS project will provide additional security of supply and reliability to the eastern Australian Energy Market

Project Update

Lochard Energy are continuing to develop the HUGS Project for expansion of our Iona Gas Storage Facility. The HUGS Project will store gas underground in depleted gas fields.

Construction of the new wellsite for gas storage commenced in December 2024.  Lochard Energy drilling phase of the Project. 

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the construction works or the impact on local roads and services, please do not hesitate to reach out to contact Lochard Energy on 1800 848 879 or by email to [email protected].

For immediate or emergency issues please contact the Site Representatives on:

Mobile: 0497 415 964 or Mobile: 0497 270 286

Pipeline Route

The preferred route for the HUGS Pipeline has been selected and will be a 5.3km 300mm diameter underground pipeline that will connect into Iona’s existing pipeline network.

Read our latest update on the HUGS Pipeline Construction.

Project Fact Sheets

To view and download our fact sheets on HUGS, simply click on the links below.

How to Contact Us

If you have any questions about this project, please get in touch with Lochard Energy or one of the relevant Victorian regulators.

Lochard Energy

1800 848 879

[email protected]

Iona Gas Plant, 285 Waarre Road,

Port Campbell, VIC 3269

Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

0439 799 598

[email protected]

energy.vic.gov.au/pipelines

PO Box 500, East Melbourne,

VIC 8002

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV)

 03 9203 9700 or

1800 800 158 (free call)

 [email protected]

 http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/

 PO Box 262, Collins St West,

VIC 8007