Rockgas Builds Additional Reliability Into Christchurch Gas Network
The first of three of these massive 220,000 litre storage100 tonne LP Gas tanks will wend its way through Christchurch
streets on Tuesday eveningWednesday morning as Rockgas expands the fuel storage facilities that feed the city’s
extensive reticulated gas system.
General manager, Owen Poole, said 300 tonnes of new LP Gas storage capacity will be added to Rockgas’ existing storage
facilities at Woolston.
He said the investment of several million dollars is testimony to the company’s commitment to servicing Christchurch and
Canterbury, and to the fact that LP Gas will continue to be a valued fuel source in a city that recognises the need to
use cleaner fuels.
Mr Poole said the additional storage will give customers added confidence in the ongoing availability of LP Gas and the
reliability of supply. With the re-determination of Maui there has been much speculation in the media. Put simply, Maui
is only one of several supply sources that Rockgas as a wholesaler, can tap into.
“Until such time as new domestic fields like Kupe and Pohokura come on stream we will continue to supply a mix of
home-grown LP Gas and product imported from Australia. However our preference remains to purchase locally-sourced
product.”
The most affected parties with Maui supply will be electricity generators and petrochemical plants. “We would certainly
not be investing in reticulation networks at current levels if we had any doubt about the future of LP Gas.”
Mr Poole said the additional storage will also underpin the planned expansion of the city’s reticulation network to meet
the increasing demand for LP Gas.
“This growth is being driven both by the need to use cleaner fuels, and by rising electricity prices. With concerns over
pricing projections for electricity we do not see the growth of LP Gas subsiding for some time.”
Mr Poole said that while LP Gas prices have moved, they still retain their relativity with the price of electricity and
other fuels. The additional storage will be commissioned and ready in time for winter.
The 220,000 litre storage tank will leave Scott’s Engineering located in Cranford St Papanui at 9pm on Tuesday 25
November and travel via the following route:
QE II Drive - Anzac Ave - Dyers Road - Ferry Road - Ensor Road - Brougham St - Opawa Road to its final destination in
Chapmans Road, Woolston where it will be placed in a trench and readied for commissioning.