The Petroleum Exploration Association of New Zealand, major players Contact Energy and NGC, as well as such reticulation companies as Powerco and Vector are among the parties giving evidence at the three-day conference. The commission received 14 submissions on its draft pipeline framework paper.
Earlier this year Energy Minister Pete Hodgson announced an inquiry into this country's pipelines sector as part of a raft of measures designed to prepare the industry for the post-Maui age. The commission is investigating whether the owners of gas pipelines - primarily listed company NGC - are charging monopoly rents for others to use their transmission networks.
Other topics bound to be raised at the conference include open access provisions for the Oaonui-Rotowaro Maui pipeline.
