The Australian energy infrastructure owner DUET Group has agreed to buy out Alcoa of Australia of its 20 percent share of the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) for US$154 million.

As part of the transaction Alcoa of Australia will maintain its current access to approximately 30 percent of the DBNGP transmission capacity for gas supply to its three alumina refineries in Western Australia.

Last July DUET purchased Energy Developments Ltd. for US$1 billion and market analysts had long predicted the eventual acquisition of Alcoa's stake in the DBNGP. DUET CEO David Bartholomew said the move would help simplify DUET's structure, given that now it would own 100 per cent of four of its five operating businesses.

Looking ahead Bartholomew has said further acquisitions which may include TransAlta Australia's stake in the Fortescue River Gas Pipeline in WA.