Some interesting thoughts from a friend in Christchurch and his friend in Oz —Roger, co-ed
We would be far more secure than relying on shipping from Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.
Cross-Tasman oil and gas cooperation
By Gary Moller and Paul Mulvaney
Gary has worked for many years in Australian oil refineries and believes that New Zealand and Australia should combine forces and construct an updated oil refinery. It could be based on using Australia, and New Zealand oil, and New Zealand gas as well. The size of the Australasian market is about 35 million people.
In true ANZAC spirit, each would be helping the other in a strategic asset. Both would certainly benefit. Having it refined in Australia, New Zealand’s share of the oil could be transported quickly across the Tasman by ship. This would be far more secure than relying on shipping from South Korea or Singapore, even though we’ve just signed trade deals there. They could still stand.
Other energy sources
We would also like to see the addition of more high-efficiency wood burners using New Zealand pine, a resource we have plenty of. Then we could provide reliable electrical base loads through a combination of high-efficiency clean coal burning, hydroelectric, and modern small nuclear reactors such as thorium reactors providing a reliable base load.
These reactors could be located next to hydroelectric power dams such as Benmore, which would be ideal, thus avoiding the “not in my backyard” syndrome and plugging directly into the high transmission power lines.
This was mooted some time ago by the government of the day, but the Greenies-DOC-Greenpeace etc, came down on the idea like a tons of bricks!
What would be imperative would be a fool-proof ‘condition of supply’ agreement with Australian oil firms?
With the damage already done by conflicts/wars, resulting in so much instability and uncertainty, we could move on from over- reliance on the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. This would be far more secure than relying on shipping from Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.
Another relevant point is that despite both countries debating the future of energy security, neither currently operates nuclear power generation.
I sometimes wonder in Australia how the AUKUS agreement that involves nuclear technology may affect that. The last thing the Indo-Pacific region needs is a nuclear arms race!
This Aussie / NZ oil refinery idea is a winner. What a pity that the politicians who have control of our money are third rate nincompoops who embrace climate madness.
As to the China Syndrome idea (Nukepower) I believe waiting until more foolproof tech has been created elsewhere would be safer for all. Sending Conehead & Albo to Fukushima for an extended holiday might be a good idea though?