Description:

This report aims to provide an objective, independent and ‘over-the-horizon’ perspective on the potential economic benefits to New Zealand that might arise from commercial development of its substantial methane gas hydrates resource, and the options available to the country to more effectively leverage present expertise to build greater indigenous capacity in this field.

In bringing this perspective together, the study team gave particular emphasis to learning from international experience, and during the course of the study initiated a number of international visits from recognised leaders in the field, as well as contributing towards multi-stakeholder initiatives intended to help with building ongoing research relationships and capability.

A desired additional outcome of the study is to facilitate participation by New Zealand research institutes in international joint ventures and collaborations, and to encourage the participation of New Zealand industry players in any future national effort to extend our knowledge of the resource.