The WA:ERA Gas Programme is conducting research primarily focused on translating Western Australia’s abundance of natural gas into marketable fuel resources.  In order to monetise remote gas sources the Program is developing developing strength in the areas of gas liquefaction (LNG), turning gas into synthetic liquid fuels and industrial feedstocks (such as methanol or acetylene) through chemical transformation (GTL), and shipping of compressed (CNG).  Another significant focus of the research program is dircted towards the development of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel will be of crucial benefit to assure future fuel needs and will provide a sustainable energy source that will outlast gas reserves.

Supply of gas reserves to processing facilities is also a significant roadblock in Western Australia. Most of these reserves are in deep water and contain large amounts of carbon dioxide. This unique situation requires research into separation technologies including subsea gas processing, subsea dehydration technology, subsea energy generation research, hydrate slurry transportation investigations, cold three phase flow research, compact equipment design, specialised corrosion issues, and new carbon dioxide removal processes. 

Building on the success of the Gas Technologies Program, a major thrust in 2008 will be to found an Australian Gas Centre, which will be of pivotal importance to the energy future of Australia. This will happen through a blending of commitments from State, Federal, industry and academic partners.  The keystone to this will be GTL technology, and specifically the development of new technologies that synthesise fuels from Western Australia’s abundant natural gas reserves. Equally important will be innovations to safely optimise recovery of these remote reserves and safeguard the local and global environment.

Research Projects

See here for research projects under the Gas Technologies theme