“Death Knell Of Coal Gas In N.I.”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31124, 29 July 1966, Page 1

“Death Knell Of Coal Gas In N.I.”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 28. The manufacture and piping of Kapuni natural gas would sound the death knell for the coal gas industry in the North Island, Wellington gas manufacturing experts said today.

Supplies from the Kapuni field had an estimated life of 25 years, they said.

The deputy chairman of the New Zealand Gas Association, Mr C. H. Benney, said that regardless of discoveries of natural gas, the end of the coal gas industry was in sight. If no further natural gas discoveries were made and the Kapuni supply was exhausted in 25 years, natural gas would have developed sufficiently to enable it to be imported from overseas, Mr Benney said. “It’s almost certain that there will be sufficient liquefaction of gas that it will be carted all round the world,” he said.

Mr Benney said he foresaw liquid gas being carried round the world in tankers similar to those used for hauling petroleum. He doubted whether anybody would now spend money to build new coal gas sites in New Zealand. The Government made a firm offer to Shell-8.P.-Todd, Ltd., four weeks ago to buy Kapuni gas for piping to Wellington and Auckland, but the price was not as attractive to the oil consortium as it would have been for gas used in generating electricity. Negotiations are still being held. It would be at least two years before the preparatory seismic exploration was finished by the consortium and drilling to find more gas fields considered.