Our history

Today, we are one of the leading providers of energy to homes and businesses throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific

2000s

In February 2000, Boral shareholders approve the de-merger of the energy business from the building and construction materials business, and the new energy company becomes known as Origin Energy.
In 2001 and 2002, Origin further increases its customer base and electricity retailing capability with the acquisition of the Powercor and CitiPower electricity retail businesses in Victoria.
Origin's Otway Basin investments come to fruition with the discovery of two new large gas fields - Thylacine and Geographe - which will supply the growing gas needs of south eastern Australia.
In 2004, the construction and commissioning of the SEA Gas Pipeline was completed, linking Victorian and South Australian gas markets. Origin also acquired a 50% interest in the Kupe Gas Field and reached an agreement to acquire Edison Mission Energy's 51.4% interest in Contact Energy in New Zealand.
In 2005, production commenced at Origin's Spring Gully gas processing facilities in Queensland. Production commenced at our new SLIVER solar cells demonstration plant in South Australia.
In June 2005, the Spring Gully CSG Gas Plant was commissioned with the capacity to deliver 13 Petajoules each year.
The Bassgas Project, which is capable of meeting almost 10% of Victoria's gas needs was commissioned in 2006.
Queensland's Sun Retail was acquired on 1 February 2007 adding in excess of 890,000 customers to Origin's retail base and positioning Origin as one of the largest energy retailers in Australia.

Boral experiences considerable growth and assumes a stronger position in the Australian gas market with the acquisition of the South Australian Gas Company in 1993.
All of Boral's energy assets are brought together under in the Boral Energy umbrella in 1995.
In 1997, Boral Energy divests its distribution assets through the float of Envestra Limited and focuses its efforts on natural gas exploration and production, energy retailing, power generation, and investment in energy infrastructure and management services.
Through the late 1990's, Boral Energy establishes a solid presence in the energy industry with the acquisition of Victorian natural gas retailer, Energy 21, and investments in coal seam gas interests and exploration and production assets in the Otway Basin . During this period, Boral Energy also develops several power generation projects.

Boral's gas production and distribution activities increase with the acquisition of the Brisbane Gas Company in 1971 and the Launceston Gas Company in 1980. Although many of the energy companies acquired by Boral Limited were formed in the mid-1800s, the Launceston Gas Company was the oldest (1859).
Boral expands its activities in oil and gas production with the acquisition of an 85% interest in Oil Company of Australia.

Boral expands the regional diversity of its energy activities with the acquisition of the Gas Supply Company, which comprised 28 gas companies throughout the eastern states of Australia.
Boral begins to supply LP Gas to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.

Bitumen and Oil Refineries (Australia) Limited is incorporated in 1946. The company later becomes known as Boral.
Bitumen and Oil Refineries (Australia) Limited establishes first Australian-owned refinery.