Players divided on supply outlook for gas SUGGESTIONS by one of the nation's biggest gas distributors that fears of a supply crisis in NSW were overplayed have reignited the debate about predictions of a big spike in gas prices and the availability of supplies to meet east coast demand. Envestra chief executive Ian Little told The Australian on Wednesday that BHP Billiton and Exxon had ample gas reserves in Bass Strait that would ensure NSW did not suffer from a supply crisis because of limitations that have been put on new coal-seam gas developments in the state and competition for supply from $70 billion of liquefied natural gas plants in Queensland.