This has sparked calls for stronger government intervention including laws that would require a proportion of gas production be set aside for local customers.

Cooper has also struck deals with glass recycler O-I Australia and large energy companies including AGL to take gas from Sole.

The company said the price for the gas supplied to Visy would be set "in line with current market prices, indexed annually".

Cooper Energy managing director David Maxwell said the deal demonstrated the company's support for all domestic demand segments.

"We are delighted to add another industrial user of gas to our customer portfolio under a multi-year supply agreement," he said.

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Visy executive general manager, global procurement David Abela said the business looked forward to exploring the opportunities presented by the new deal.

"Visy appreciates the support and engagement from Cooper Energy to help secure supply during tough east coast gas conditions.

Cooper predicts the Sole project will deliver an extra 68 terajoules per day of gas into south-east Australia.

Analysts at RBC Capital Markets said the news was positive for Cooper's other projects.

"Additional gas contracts support the Cooper cash-flow generation story and are welcome, particularly in such a strong gas price environment," they said on Thursday.

Additional gas contracts support the Cooper cash flow generation story and are welcome,

RBC Capital Markets analysts

Andrew McConville, chief executive of gas industry peak body APPEA, said the deal was further evidence of the industry's efforts to improve the east coast market.

"The industry takes its obligations to the domestic market seriously," Mr McConville said.

He pointed to deals inked last week between the Australia Pacific LNG venture and manufacturers Orica and Orora.

"This new agreement [with Visy] brings the total to 79 new publicly announced gas agreements signed since 2012 in Australia, showing the strong commitment the sector has for the domestic market. Together, these contracts total more than 4500 petajoules of gas," he said.

"The best way to place downward pressure on gas prices and to improve energy security is having more gas supply and more gas suppliers. This should be the focus of all governments."

With Reuters