
Kellett RL, Terezow MG, Hollis CJ, Funnell RH, Ellison R. 2020. The role of natural gas resources on the path to a low carbon economy : Workshop discussion (7 Aug 2019, Dunedin). Lower Hutt (NZ) GNS Science. 30 p. (GNS Science report 2019/72). doi:10.21420/YAHB-M903.
Abstract
Transitioning to a net-zero-emission future will require a transformation of New Zealand’s economy and society. The costs of meeting the Government’s emissions reduction targets could be large, and new technologies will be required. In coming decades, petroleum products will continue to play an important role in society, both for transportation and petrochemicals (and potentially some industrial heat applications). The dilemma we face is that our current petroleum and natural gas resources will only last for around another decade at current rates of extraction, new exploration opportunities are limited and global competition for the labour and capital to develop new resources is fierce. Without a continued supply of natural gas and other petroleum products, New Zealand may not be able to engineer and afford the transition to a net-zero carbon economy. A workshop was held in Dunedin on the 7th August 2019 to explore the role that a hypothetical, large gas discovery offshore of Te Waipounamu / South Island would have on the transition to a low-emissions economy. The goal was to provide a clearer understanding around where the experts agree, and where there is a need for more research and debate. The small-group session was based around decision trees and timelines. It identified a series of conditions whereby future natural gas development in New Zealand would be more likely to receive social licence and be publicly acceptable. These include: