Atomic Energy For Coal Gas?

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30603, 20 November 1964, Page 12

Atomic Energy For Coal Gas?

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 18. Scientists in America and Britain were experimenting with the use of atomic energy to open up a new field for the gasification of coal, the annual conference of the Gas Association of New Zealand was told today by its president (Mr A. G. Wilson).

“It is likely success will ultimately be achieved and it may become possible to carbonise coal more economically than at present,” Mr Wilson said.

When the natural gas pipelines were installed in the North Island linking Auckland and Wellington and the intermediate undertakings in the Kapuni field, they would deal with nine of the 15 North Island undertakings and 89 per cent of the total present gas load, said Mr Wilson.

Referring to the use of natural gas in America, Britain and Australia and the increasing research being made, he said that by overseas standards Kapuni’s natural gas field was virtually at the back door of cities in the North Island. “But we should not lose sight of the influence which atomic energy could have, particularly should our natural gas fields become exhausted in the years to come. "It would seem wise, therefore, in the country’s economy to conserve our remaining coal resources and where cheaper methods of producing gas are available from oil and from natural gas, that these facilities should be developed to the utmost.” The march of progress with the gas industry was clearly defined. Where natural gas was available, there should be every endeavour to use it. Where it was not available, then the gasification of oil in its various forms had opened up an entirely new field for the gas industry.

The other six undertakings would be adequately provided for in the scheme which would emerge. Mr Wilson said that even if the results of drilling in South Island fields were disappointing it might not be long before natural gas could be transported from Australia, or cheap oil distillates were available from the Whangarei oil refinery.