LNG import feasibility assessed
1 Aucust 2025
Clarus, Contact, Genesis, Meridian and Mercury collaborated to explore the option to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) and assessed the role LNG could play to meet New Zealand’s future gas demand.
Following the rapid decline in the availability of gas for electricity generation, the companies commissioned two studies, looking at both conventional-scale solutions as used across the globe, as well as smaller-scale options.
Paul Goodeve, chief executive for Clarus said, “This work aims to provide New Zealand with a robust and clear-eyed evaluation of LNG import feasibility, and while both options are technically feasible, they each come with very different costs and benefits.”
The studies were carried out between September 2024 and May 2025 by international LNG experts, Gas Strategies (from the United Kingdom) that has advised previously on similar projects and has been able to provide their international expertise and knowledge, along with engineering consultancy Wood Beca (NZ).
The reports show that a gas import option may be technically feasible, though more challenging than anticipated. Study partners have shared the reports with government officials, whose support would be necessary for any option to proceed.
While the large standard LNG tanker ships could offer cheaper landed gas prices, they would require greater spending on port infrastructure.
Ships with a tenth of the carrying capacity were also considered, shuttling between Australia and New Zealand.
These would require less new infrastructure to support them, but the landed cost of the gas would be around 25 percent higher than the larger bulk carriers.
Summary Reports: