As we turn on our gas heaters or gas cookers, or enjoy long showers with endless gas-heated water, we probably don’t give too much thought as to where that natural gas comes from. But it is worth doing so. The story of New Zealand’s natural gas is probably more interesting than you think.
Gas provides 21% of New Zealand’s primary energy requirements with 250,000 New Zealand homes relying on gas for heating, cooking and that all-important continuous hot water supply. In the commercial sector, gas is used by over 10,000 businesses and organisations including hotels, hospitals and restaurants: any good chef will tell you that cooking with gas is the only way to go. A lot of homes and businesses that use electricity as their primary energy source still need gas: it supports 16% of our electricity generation, second only to hydro.
So where does New Zealand’s natural gas come from? All of it is sourced from the Taranaki region, from both onshore and offshore wells that also produce oil. Several hundred exploration and production wells have been drilled in Taranaki since 1950. Kapuni is the oldest commercial gas field; this onshore field, which lies in the shadows of Mount Taranaki, was discovered in 1959 and some years later started delivering gas throughout the North Island.
While Kapuni is the oldest field, Maui is the most famous gas field in New Zealand. Located 35 kilometres off the Taranaki coast, Maui has a total area of around 160 square kilometres and in the year 2000, it was responsible for 80.2% of New Zealand’s gas supply. Natural depletion of its gas reserves saw that figure reduced to 25.8% in 2010. In between 2000 and 2010, the Pohokura field just off the Taranaki coast has stepped up and is now responsible for over 40% of New Zealand’s supply.
To get the gas from Taranaki to the rest of the North Island ( natural gas in its purest form is not available in the South Island), the industry is reliant on a long pipeline network. This includes the famous 309km Maui pipeline which stretches from south of New Plymouth to the Huntly Power Station and provides gas for power generation purposes. The delivery of gas for residential and commercial use throughout the North Island is mainly handled by the First Gas high-pressure transmission pipeline which is 2, 196 kilometres long.
Of course, this gas has to be distributed to houses, offices, hospitals, factories, businesses and community organisations. To achieve this, there are nearly 18,000 kilometres of intermediate, medium, and low-pressure gas distribution pipeline networks in the North Island, which are connected to the high-pressure transmission system, including the First Gas pipeline.
So, the next time you enjoy a super-long shower with endless gas-heated water or cook up a storm in the kitchen, take a moment to appreciate the journey that energy source has been on. That gas, just like the gas appliances and fixtures we use so often, has come a long, long way.