Given Fortescue is focused on reducing its big debt burden and has been offloading non-core assets, a pipeline push in the short term appears unlikely unless it can secure a third party, such as a utility or pipeline operator, to fund and develop the network based on long-term gas offtake contracts. Last year, TransAlta paid $US300 million for Fortescue's under- construction 125 megawatt dual-fuel power station at Solomon, suggesting the Canadian utility could play a role in the pipeline plan. APA Group, which owns the GGP and the 219km Pilbara Energy Pipeline which links the North West Shelf gas plant with Port Hedland, is another likely player.